FROM PAGE 12

During a site visit on Friday afternoon, excavation work was seen underway. About 50 feet of the park’s boundary wall was demolished, and a road was being paved. Gazari trees were being felled as part of construction activities. Several people were supervising the work of around 20 workers. Site supervisor Mohammad Ifti said an STS facility was planned at the location and that he was overseeing the work on behalf of the GCC.

Workers said they were instructed to complete the job quickly.

Sabuj Mia, a worker, said they dug about four feet into the ground after breaking the boundary wall.

According to forest department sources, a contractor initially built a shed for workers on April 11. The forest department demolished it the next day during a drive. On April 13, a large group of people went there, broke the boundary wall, and resumed construction.

Ariful Islam, deputy ranger (range officer) of the national park, said they tried to stop the work. But due to the presence of around 200 people, it was not possible to resist with their limited manpower. The matter has been reported to the higher authorities, and relevant officials have already conducted on-site inspections.

He added that under the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act, construction of any structure is prohibited within and around protected sanctuary areas.

Officials from the Department of Environment in Gazipur also inspected the site.

Deputy Director Arefin Badol told The Daily Star that environmental clearance is mandatory for constructing an STS, but the GCC has not obtained it. Their report recommended not building the STS at the location.

Ripon Ansari, general secretary of the Bhawal Garh Protection Movement, said the law was being openly violated and called for strict action against those responsible.

Talking to this newspaper, GCC Chief Executive Officer Sohel Hasan said the land where the STS is being constructed is not part of the national park. He added that the land is privately owned and has been leased by the city corporation. However, he acknowledged that the land is surrounded by the park on three sides and a highway is on the remaining side.

He said the project was undertaken due to the lack of alternative land. He also noted that the forest department has raised objections.

Yesterday, the HC bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Abdur Rahman issued the injunction after a writ petition had been filed by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela).

The court also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain why the unauthorised construction of STS by GCC on reserved forest land adjacent to the park and on privately owned land and their failure to prevent the continuous dumping of waste at the main entrance and various other locations in the park should not be declared illegal, unconstitutional, and against public interest.

Secretaries at the ministries of LGRD; and environment, forest and climate change; director general of Department of Environment and deputy director of its Gazipur district office; chief conservator of forests; divisional forest officer; assistant conservator of forests of Gazipur district office; and range officer of National Park (Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division); deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Gazipur; and administrator and chief waste management officer of GCC have been made respondents to the rule.