Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (Bela) yesterday served a legal notice on the government seeking a halt to the earth filling in the Buriganga by Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (Desa) for the construction of a power station.

The legal notice said that despite the High Court's directive, the government has failed to submit any action plan to free the Buriganga from all encroachments.

The notice also blamed the government for its leniency in protecting the river from encroachment.

Bela has requested the authorities to inform it of their action within 48 hours of the receipt of the notice. otherwise, it will go for legal action, Bela said in a press release.

The legal notice was served on the secretaries of land, water resources and environment ministries, director general of Department of Environment, chairmen of Water Development Board, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and Desa, and district commissioners of Dhaka and Narayanganj.