Legal notice seeks enhancement of environment department’s capacity
It has also demanded that additional manpower be recruited and branch offices be set up
A legal notice has been sent to seven secretaries – including the secretaries to the president and the prime minister – demanding the recruitment of additional manpower and setting up of branch offices to enhance the capacity of the Department of Environment.
The five other recipients are the: cabinet secretary, public administration secretary, finance secretary, director general of the Department of Environment, as well as environment, forest and climate change secretary.
Supreme Court lawyer Manzill Murshid, also the chairman of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, sent the notice on behalf of his organisation on Wednesday.
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Despite the constitution and various laws and court directives to protect the environment, reports submitted to the court show that the Department of Environment is unable to take necessary action within the stipulated time due to a lack of manpower and adequate branches, the notice said.
It said in two letters dated 22 September, 2014, and 1 August, 2019, the government was asked to set up offices, recruit manpower and set up training centres in different upazilas.
The Department of Environment was unable to take measures as per the constitution and law as no effective action was taken despite the request, said the notice.
The recipients were asked to take measures in this regard within 10 days of receiving the notice.
