To save the environment, a writ petition to the Bangladesh High Court to stop cutting trees

In order to protect and preserve the environment, a writ petition has been filed with the Bangladesh High Court to halt the practice of tree cutting.

On May 8, 2024, “Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh” an NGO filed a writ petition to the Bangladesh High Court in the public interest. Senior advocate Manzil Morsed filed the writ on behalf of the organization.

A high court bench consisting of Justice MD Khasruzzaman and Justice KM Zahid Sarwar Kajol may hear the writ petition.

Lawyer Manzil Morsed mentioned that the number of plants in Dhaka city is decreasing, affecting people’s living conditions negatively. The recent increase in temperature is making the situation even worse, leading to a violation of the right to proper living.

Cutting down trees planted under social forestry agreements across the country has a negative impact on the environment. If this is not stopped, Bangladesh’s environment will suffer and the right to live will be seriously affected.

The directions sought in the writ are-

1. To control the cutting of trees, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Bangladesh, will form a seven-member committee consisting of environmentalists, environmental scientists, professors of environmental science, Dhaka University, professors of environmental science, Jahangirnagar University within 7 days, who will grant permission to cut trees in Dhaka city if necessary.
2. The Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladesh, will release a circular in 7 days to stop cutting down trees. The circular will establish a committee consisting of the District Environment Officer, Principal of Government College, Social Worker, Environmentalist, President/Secretary of District Bar Association, and Civil Surgeon. This committee will be led by the District Commissioner and no trees can be cut down without their permission.
3. The Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladesh, will issue a circular in seven days to prevent tree cutting. They will form a committee led by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, which will include college principals, social workers, environmentalists, social welfare officers, assistant commissioners of land, and executive engineers of LGED. No trees can be cut without the permission of this committee.
4. Till the formation of the committee, all the defendants are asked to take appropriate measures to ensure that no trees are cut in their respective areas and to submit a compliance report to the court within two weeks.
5. Why should the inaction of the defendants to stop tree felling should not be declared illegal, why should not be ordered to stop tree felling in Dhaka city and other districts and Upazila cities, and why should it be ordered to attach the provision of payment to the contracting parties for planting trees in the provisions of Social Forestry Rules 2004? A rule has been sought to the effect that it will not happen.

The writ petitioners are – Advocate Md Charwar Ahad Chowdhury, Advocate Md Ekhlach Uddin Bhuiyan and Advocate Ripon Barai.

The defendants are  all concerned Bangladesh Government officials that are- Secretary, Cabinet Division; Principal Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office; Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change;

Secretary, Ministry of Local Government; Senior Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration; Secretary, Road Transport and Highways Department; Director General Environment Department; Mayor, Dhaka North South City Corporation; Chief Executive Officer, Dhaka Uttara Dakshin City Corporation; Chief Engineer, LGED, Chief Conservator of Forests; Chief Engineer, Road Highway Department and IGP Bangladesh Police.