No tree felling without prior permission: HC
City Desk :
The High Court (HC) has ruled that no trees can be felled without prior approval from the relevant authorities, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving the country’s green cover amid rising environmental concerns.
The HC bench comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf issued the order on Tuesday after hearing a writ petition filed by the rights organization, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
The court directed the Senior Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry to form district-level committees within seven days to oversee and approve tree felling. Each committee must include an environmentalist, an environment expert, professors of environmental science from Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University, Deputy Commissioners, district environment officers, government college professors, social workers, representatives from the District Bar Association, and civil surgeons, reports BSS.
At the upazila level, the court mandated a similar committee structure, comprising Upazila Nirbahi Officers, government college professors, social workers, environmentalists, social welfare officers, Assistant Commissioners (Land), and executive engineers from LGED.
According to the Social Forestry Rules 2004, trees planted under social forestry programs cannot be cut without compensating the owner with an amount equivalent to the tree’s value. The court also instructed amendments to the rules to better reflect this policy and protect the nation’s environmental assets.
Addressing Environmental Concerns
In its observations, the High Court highlighted the urgency of conserving Bangladesh’s tree cover, noting that rising temperatures and widespread deforestation threaten the country’s environmental balance and the fundamental right to live in a healthy environment.
“Bangladesh does not have the necessary number of trees required to maintain ecological balance, making the preservation of existing trees critically important,” the court remarked.
The HRPB filed the writ petition on May 5, 2024, seeking government measures to halt pollution and curb unnecessary tree felling. On May 7, 2024, the court issued a rule asking the government to justify why unrestricted tree cutting in Dhaka, districts, and upazilas should not be declared contradictory to human rights and why seven-member committees should not be formed for approval processes.
Additional Observations
The court warned that widespread deforestation undermines environmental stability and reiterated that unchecked felling disrupts ecosystems vital for public well-being. As temperatures continue to rise, preserving trees becomes more critical for the nation’s environmental sustainability.
This ruling marks a significant step towards enforcing stricter environmental regulations and fostering accountability in managing Bangladesh’s green resources.