Legal notice served to stop sand extraction in Cox’s Bazar

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and Youth Environment Society (YES) today served legal notice to the authorities concerned to take steps to stop extraction of sand in Chakaria upazila of Cox's Bazar.

The notice was sent to the secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry, chief conservator of forest (CCF), director general of Department of Environment, chairman of National River Conservation Commission, chairman of Cox's Bazar Development Authority and deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar.

"The damage made to environment, hillock, reserve forest and canals must be assessed and steps must be taken immediately to stop the extraction of sand", the notice read.

The notice further said that the failure of preventing the "criminals" from damaging the arable land, forest and canals in Rangmahal area of Dolahazara is an indication of negligence.

It also asked the authorities to inform them of the actions taken in this regard so far. Otherwise, they will take legal action against them.