The High Court today directed the government to prepare an action plan for recovering 50 canals under the two city corporations of Dhaka by demarcating areas as per their original flow from encroachment.

The court ordered the authorities to submit the action plan and report before the HC in next six months.

The authorities were ordered to regulate pollutants of the canals and ensure proper maintenance.

The court also ordered to prepare a report on the status and position of the canals including Shegunbagicha canal, Katasur canal, Kallyanpur canal and Khilgaon canal.

The High Court bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan came up with the order following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) seeking necessary directives to protect the canals which are reportedly encroached by land grabbers and polluted.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why their failure to protect the canal from encroachment, obstruction and pollution should not be declared illegal.