HC forms committee to protect biodiversity in Halda river

The High Court today formed a committee, headed by the deputy commissioner of Chattogram, in order to protect biodiversity of the Halda river in the district.

The lawmakers elected from the areas near the banks of Halda river will act as advisers to the committee, the High Court said in the order.

The High Court bench of Justice Obaidul Hassan came up with the order during a virtual hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme lawyer Abdul Qaium Liton seeking it's directives on the authorities concerned of the government to save fish and dolphins in the river.

In the order, the High Court asked the DC of Chattogram to include representatives from the DC, superintendent of police, naval police, coast guard, DoE, fisheries, Water Development Board and forest offices in Chattogram; upzila nirbahi officers of Hathazari and Ramnagar of the district; and representatives from Marine Science and Fisheries Facility of Chattogram in the committee to protect biodiversity and environment of the Halda River.

During hearing today, the HC went through a compliance report submitted by the Department of Environment saying that necessary initiatives have been taken to stop killing of dolphins and to protect them in Halda, court sources said.

The court asked the officials concerned of the court to keep the report in the record of the court and fixed May 28 for further hearing on the issue.

The DoE recently submitted the compliance report to the High Court through email in line with the May 12 directives that asked the authorities concerned to immediately take necessary steps to prevent killing of dolphins and to protect them in Halda River.