High Court Questions Authorities Over Shah Cement's Alleged River Encroachment

In a significant move, Bangladesh's High Court has intervened in the ongoing issue of river encroachment, issuing a rule against relevant authorities for their alleged failure to act against Shah Cement Industries Limited. The court's directive demands an explanation for the inaction concerning the company's occupation of vital riverine land along the Dhaleshwari and Shitalakkhya rivers.

The core of the legal challenge, brought forth by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), centers on the alleged illegal occupation of approximately 49.10 acres of river land by Shah Cement. This encroachment, as previously highlighted by The Daily Star in a report titled “A blatant river grab,” is accused of disrupting the natural flow and ecosystem of these crucial waterways. The court's rule seeks to understand why the authorities have not enforced existing regulations to remove these structures.

Further complicating the matter is the existence of a directive issued under the Water Act, 2013, by the Water Resources Planning Organisation (WARPO). This directive had previously ordered the removal of illegal structures from parts of East Muktarpur mouza. However, the petition alleges that this directive has not been fully implemented in other sections where the company has allegedly expanded its footprint.

The High Court's intervention underscores the growing concern over river grabbing in Bangladesh and the critical need for robust enforcement of environmental laws. The court's inquiry into the authorities' inaction and its potential direction to evict illegal structures and restore the rivers' natural flow signal a strong judicial stance against environmental degradation. This case is particularly important from a local perspective, as the health of these rivers is intrinsically linked to the well-being of communities and the nation's broader environmental security.