High Court Issues Rule on Stopping Illegal Sand Extraction From the Padma River
The High Court has issued a rule asking why it should not direct the authorities to take effective measures to stop illegal and unplanned sand extraction from the Padma River. A High Court bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice SM Iftekhar Uddin Mahmud issued the rule on Wednesday (November 4) after a preliminary hearing on a writ petition on the matter.
The rule also sought explanations on protecting the river's natural flow and environmental balance, preventing riverbank erosion, and ensuring the safety of the Padma Bridge and adjacent infrastructure. The petitioner's lawyer, Md Golam Rahman Bhuiya, confirmed the matter.
The writ stated that illegal and unplanned sand extraction from the Padma River is severely damaging the river's natural structure, the stability of its banks, the environment and biodiversity. It has also raised concerns over the safety of the Padma Bridge, an important national infrastructure.
Lawyer Golam Rahman Bhuiya said the Padma River is closely tied to the country's economy, environment, agriculture, fisheries and public life. If the river's natural flow and environmental balance are destroyed, the lives and livelihoods of people along its banks, agricultural land and natural resources will be at risk, he said.
