The High Court (HC) on Tuesday ordered the authorities concerned to stop the construction of the swimming pool and stop the cutting of hill in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati adjacent to Sajek areas.
It has also ordered to identify and take action against those involved in unauthorized hill cutting.
In response to writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil came up with the orders.
The HC bench also issued a rule asking the government to explain why its inaction to stop hill cutting should not be declared illegal and why it should not be directed to take punitive action against the hill cutting.
Environment Secretary, Director General of Environment Department, DC of Chittagong and others have been asked to reply to the rule within four weeks.
Following a newspaper report regarding the matter, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed the writ petition with the HC seeking its directive in this regard.
A national daily had on March 28 published a report under the headline "Sajek Pahar Kete Swimmingpool" (Constructing swimming pool after cutting Sajek hill).
According to the report, Meghpalli Resort is constructing a swimming pool at a cost of Tk 50 lac by cutting the hill of Sajek, which is 1,800 feet above the sea level.
Following the cutting of hill, the natural balance of Sajek is destroyed. Besides, the locals fear natural disasters like landslides may happen, according to the media report.
Senior advocate Manzill Murshid appeared on behalf of the writ petition while Deputy Attorney General Pratikar Chakma represented the state during the court proceedings.
Later, Manzill Murshid told media that the High Court in an interim order directed the administration to form a monitoring team so that no one could cut the hill without the permission of the Environment Department.
