News Flash
DHAKA, April 9, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam has directed the formation of an investigation committee to halt hill and mound cutting in the Chattogram division.
He gave the instructions during a meeting titled "Measures to Stop Hill and Mound Cutting" at the ministry's conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat here.
The move follows a report in the daily Ittefaq titled "Eight Hills Disappeared in Three Months in Khagrachhari."
The committee has been asked to submit its findings within seven working days.
Strict action will be taken against officials, including those from the Department of Environment, if they are found to be involved in this incident.
Officials informed the meeting that through mobile court operations, two excavators were seized in Kharichhara Masterpara of Khagrachhari Sadar.
A total of Taka 100,000 fine was imposed in the Tintohari area of ??Manikchhari upazila and regular cases were filed in Jogyochhola and Batnatali.
In Sylhet's Shah-Arefin Tila, ten stone extraction machines were partially destroyed, three trucks immobilized and three persons detained.
The minister emphasized strict monitoring of excavator use, requiring prior approval from authorities and banning soil extraction from agricultural land for brick kilns.
He urged all departments to coordinate effectively to protect hills and the environment.
The ministry's secretary, senior officials, district commissioners, police superintendents, upazila nirbahi officers and Environment Department officials attended the meeting.
