Hills pay the price for road
Work started as per MP’s directive, without approval from DoE
Hills in Holichhara tea garden in Moulvibazar's Kulaura are allegedly being cut to construct a road, without the approval of Department of Environment (DoE).
"Kulaura lawmaker Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmad approved the project worth Tk 11 lakh. After that, I started working from inside the garden," said Ataur Rahman Aftab, project president and local UP member, when asked about the hill cutting.
Mabud Ali, manager of Luayuni and Holichharra Tea Estate, said construction of the road is currently ongoing by cutting four to five high hills and 10 to 12 low hills in section-17 of Holichhara outpost.
"About 30 to 35 workers are working on cutting the hills with an excavator along Kulaura-Brahmanbazar regional highway, on the eastern side of Hariyatila, violating environmental laws. UP Member Ataur started the construction about a month ago," he added.
Aftab said half of the work is almost complete. The border area of the garden is still to be worked on.
"We are working as per the MP's decision. I don't know whether the MP has taken the approval of the relevant authorities. He will be able to say that," he added.
About 30 to 35 workers are working on cutting the hills with an excavator along Kulaura-Brahmanbazar regional highway, on the eastern side of Hariyatila, violating environmental laws. UP Member Ataur started the construction about a month ago.
Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Shimul Ali said, "We usually send the project proposal list to the deputy commissioner for approval after receiving the project proposals from the MP's office. Work ensues after getting the DC's approval. If project conditions are violated in the process, the project committee will have to take responsibility for that."
Badrul Huda, DoE assistant director in Moulvibazar, said legal measures will be taken against those involved after inspecting the site.
Kulaura UNO Md Mahmudur Rahman Khondkar said, "I have visited the site and asked to stop the construction work for now. The MP and owner of the garden have discussed the matter. The final decision will be taken after the fifth of next month."
During construction of the said road, a hill of about 600 feet in height and 10 feet in width has been cut inside the garden, which is a violation of Bangladesh Environment Protection Act-1995.
Emran Hossain, director of DoE's Sylhet divisional office, said on July 21, the responsible persons for the construction have been ordered to appear in person for a hearing at the divisional office on July 25 and explain why compensation will not be taken against those involved in the offence.