Save Barisal pond in existing state: HC

The High Court yesterday directed the government to maintain status quo on filling up a five-acre pond in Barisal city for construction of a food storehouse for next six months.

The court also issued a rule upon the authorities concerned of the government to explain why their inaction to protect the pond should not be declared illegal and why they should not be directed to take steps to protect the waterbody.

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The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir came up with the order and rule after hearing a writ petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh challenging the legality of filling the pond for construction of the storehouse.

Petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star that the government had reportedly started filling earth in the pond to the south side of Barisal Medical College and near the Kirtonkhola River to construct the godown in it violating the Water Bodies Act.