Stop rampant hill cutting

Bangladesh's hilly regions situated in greater Sylhet and Chattogram division are attractive destinations for tourists. But it is depressing to note that the country's most hills are in extremely sorry state due to unabated hill cutting, tree felling and unplanned construction of structures. Hills and hillocks are being razed in the name of development -- for implementing housing projects or other commercial purposes -- which is prohibited by the laws.

According to the Environment Conservation (Amendment) Act 2010, hill cutting is a punishable offence. Even no government, semi-government or autonomous organisation is allowed to cut or raze hills without prior permission from the authorities concerned. Indiscriminate hill cutting triggers calamities like landslides almost every year during the monsoon. Recently, separate landslides triggered by incessant rains have reportedly left four people dead and two others injured in Chattogram.

Therefore, we urge the authorities concerned to ensure that laws are strictly enforced against the illegal act of cutting down hills. The ecological balance will be at stake if the existing hillocks are cut down. Therefore, massive afforestation with indigenous plants, strong monitoring on hill resources, formation of a comprehensive hill management policy and proper action plan are a must to stop hill cutting.

Badsha Faysal,

Jurain, Dhaka,

badshafaysal1998@gmail.com