Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today called upon the government agencies to be proactive and vigilant to stop hill razing activities in Chattogram.

She also said the agencies did not provide a list of the names of hill owners despite repeated requests.

"The Divisional Commissioner's Office of Chattogram provided a list without mentioning the names of hill owners," she said at a discussion in Chattogram city's Theater Institute.

She also said she has requested for the list to be resent mentioning the names, and also asked the agencies to arrest the owners in connection to hill cutting.

"When a hill is razed, arrest its owner, not workers. Cutting of the hill will stop when the owners are brought to the book," she urged the agencies.

Rizwana also said they talked with the district administrator and divisional commissioner on Saturday regarding hill cutting in Chattogram.

She called upon government officials concerned to enhance vigilance at night as hill razing activities are often carried out at that time.

"If a tree is felled, another can be planted. If a river is occupied by someone, you can evict the encroacher. But if a hill is razed, you need to conjure magic to bring it back. So, you cannot allow the hills to be razed," she further said.

She instructed dividing Chattogram's hilly areas into seven zones, and forming a volunteer team for each zone, comprising all state agencies to protect the hills.

Regarding drives against polythene, Rizwana said the government will enforce the ban despite all obstacles.

She also said compensation for workers of polythene factories that will be shut down will have to be provided by factory owners.