Crop damage and environmental pollution due to chemical waste in BSCIC industrial city in Moulvibazar
The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has sent a legal notice to the concerned people as the crop damages and the environment polluted due to the chemical waste of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) industrial city in Moulvibazar. The legal notice was signed by Bella’s lawyer S Hasanul Banna and sent by post.
BELA sent the notice to the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Secretary of Ministry of Industries, Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, Director General of Environment Department, Bangladesh, Chairman of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, Director General of Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Department, Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar, Superintendent of Police, and UNO of the Sadar. They have been asked to inform me what steps have been taken within seven days.
Shah Shaheda Akhtar, the coordinator of BELA’s Sylhet division, confirmed the notice, saying, “We have sent the notice. I hope they (concerned) will take necessary action regarding the notice.”
According to the legal notice, crop production on agricultural land is hampering waste and chemically-contaminated waste water drainage from the BSIC industrial city in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila and entering the Khainjar Haor.
Out of 101 plots in Moulvibazar BSCIC Industrial Estate, the activities of small and cottage industries based in 37 units are in operation.
The lands have faded as waste, and chemical-laden water enters the Khainjar Haor through drains. There is a fish crisis in Haor. Locals are suffering from skin diseases as a result of using that water.