The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a rule asking the government bodies concerned to explain in two weeks as to why they should not be directed to constitute separate committees in all districts and upazilas to control tree felling across the country.
In the rule, the HC also wanted to know from the authorities concerned as to why their inaction to stop cutting trees, except for those owned by private individuals, should not be declared illegal.
The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice KM Zahid Sarwar passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed in this regard.
The Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a rights organisation, represented by three Supreme Court lawyers filed the petition on May 5, seeking an HC directive upon the government to stop tree felling for protecting the environment.
Lawyer Manzill Murshid appeared in the court on behalf of the writ petitioner.
In the rule, the HC bench also asked the government bodies to explain as to why the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change should not be directed to form a seven-member committee consisting of environmentalists, environmental scientists, professors of environmental science departments of Dhaka and Jahangirnagar universities, who will grant permission to cut trees in the capital, if necessary.
In the rule, the HC also sought explanation as to why the Ministry of Public Administration should not be directed to issue circulars in seven days for formation of committees at district and upazila levels under the leadership of Deputy Commissioners and Upazila Nirbahi Officers respectively so that no trees can be felled without their permissions.
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