BPC fined Tk9.6 lakh for unauthorised hill cutting in Ctg
The order was issued today (24 February) after a hearing at the DoE’s Chattogram Metropolitan Office, with Director Sonia Sultana saying in a press release that the assessment was conducted under Sections 6(b) and 7 of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended in 2010)
The Department of Environment (DoE) has fined state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Tk9.6 lakh after finding evidence of illegal hill cutting in Chattogram's Jamal Khan area.
The order was issued today (24 February) after a hearing at the DoE's Chattogram Metropolitan Office, with Director Sonia Sultana saying in a press release that the assessment was conducted under Sections 6(b) and 7 of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended in 2010).
"According to the field inspection report, the allegation of hill cutting at the listed site has been proven," she said, adding, "The inspection found visible excavation measuring around 150 feet in length, 8 feet in width and 8 feet in height, amounting to an estimated 9,600 cubic feet of hill cutting."
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"At a rate of Tk100 per cubic foot, compensation for cutting 9,600 cubic feet of hill has been set at Tk 9.6 lakh," she further said.
The DoE also directed BPC to restore the excavated area to its previous condition and warned authorities against carrying out any hill or mound cutting without prior approval, after reviewing the inspection report, written statements from the accused party and supporting documents before issuing the order.
During the hearing, BPC was represented by Deputy General Manager SM Zubayer Hasan and LDA Md Shihab Uddin, while DoE Metropolitan Office Inspector Muhammad Ashfakur Rahman and Senior Technician Md Omar Faruk represented the prosecution.
