Dhaka, Oct 24 (V7N) – A High Court (HC) bench on Thursday directed the relevant authorities to implement measures to safeguard the mangrove forest located on Sonadia Island and its surrounding areas within the Moheshkhali upazila of Cox's Bazar district.

The bench, consisting of Justice Fatema Nazib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Rajib, issued the order in response to a writ petition filed by advocates Mohammad Shishier Manir and Saddam Hossain.

Additionally, the court instructed 13 respondents, including the secretary of the environment ministry, to identify those responsible for the destruction of the mangrove forest and submit a report to the High Court within 90 days. Other notable respondents include the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA), the Director General of the Directorate of Environment, the Chief Conservator of Forest, as well as the Deputy Commissioner and Police Superintendent of Cox's Bazar.

After the hearing, advocate Shishier Manir informed journalists that the government had declared Sonadia Island an environmentally vulnerable area in 1999. However, the region's ecological integrity has recently been compromised due to illegal shrimp farming. He criticized the authorities for failing to take action despite numerous media reports highlighting the issue.

The court also issued a rule requiring the concerned parties to respond within four weeks. Prior to this, a group of 12 individuals, including advocate Md. Rahim Ullah and members of the Moheshkhali Upazila Press Club—M. Aziz Sikder, Md. Yunus, and Sirajul Mostafa—had served a legal notice demanding the removal of illegal shrimp fields and protective measures for the forest.

When no action was taken in response to the legal notice, they proceeded to file the writ petition in the High Court, as added by advocate Shishier.

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