The High Court has issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why it should not be directed to protect the hills and hillocks at Jhilonza Mouza in Cox's Bazar.

Responding to a writ petition, the court also stayed for two months the process of acquisition of about four acres of land in the area by Power Development Board for constructing structures for its employees.

In the rule, the court asked the govern-

ment to show cause why it should not be ordered to declare the land ecologically fragile.

The HC came with the rule and order on Monday following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (Bela).

Citing the petition, Bela's lawyer Minhazul Hoque Chowdhury told The Daily Star that if structures are constructed in the land, its hills and hillocks and environment will be damaged, adding that destruction of hills and hillocks are prohibited as per relevant laws.