The High Court Division yesterday issued a rule nisi on the government asking it to explain why it should not be directed to protect and conserve the 4,916 hectares of Sonadia Island under Cox's Bazar district.

A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice ABM Khairul Haque and Justice Syed Shahidur Rahman also stayed granting of any lease of or tampering with 4,916 hectares of the mangrove forestland of the island.

The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) filed a writ petition yesterday seeking special protective measures to protect and conserve the 4,916 hectares of Sonadia Island as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA).

The 4,916 hectares of Sonadia Island was declared an Ecologically Critical Area under Section 5 of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995, on April 19, 1999.

The respondents of the case -the secretaries of the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Ministry of Land, chief conservator of forest, the deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar, and the divisional forest officer of Cox's Bazar -- have also been asked to explain their position on the matter within four weeks.

The bench also asked the respondents to carry out an investigation to

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identify and measure the areas within the land where shrimp cultivation and clearing of the natural mangrove forest have been taking place.

In the petition, BELA stated that the mangrove forest of Sonadia Island has special ecological significance. It plays a crucial role in protecting and preserving the char land of Sonadia Island from erosion and saving the people living nearby who are inundated and swept by the tidal surge during natural disaster.

The High Court also ordered the respondents to list the persons who are involved in shrimp cultivation and come up with a report of monetary loss due to the farming before it within two months.

Barrister Tanjib-ul-Alam and Advocater M Iqbal Kabir of BELA moved the petition.