The Tamesis
December 2, 2024
Dhaka – We are concerned about the ongoing mountain-cutting trend in Chittagong, which persists despite political shifts in the country. Recent findings paint a disturbing picture – one report says the port city has lost 120 hills in the past 40 years. Another report said only about 80 of the 200 hills that once existed in the city remain, with at least 30 real estate projects over the past 50 years resulting in the razing of hills. While data on the hills may sometimes be sketchy, existing research clearly shows that widespread damage has been done in the name of building residential areas, commercial businesses and road infrastructure, largely due to poor regulation by the authorities.
During a recent visit to Chittagong, a reporter from the daily documented the extent of destruction in areas such as Kurshi, Akbar Shah and Bayezid Bostami, where hills were flattened and used as in various housing projects. Locals revealed that plot owners often erect fences first to avoid inspections. While Department of Environment (DoE) officials claim to take action after receiving complaints (including filing 34 cases against violators in the past two years), the scale of the damage suggests that such action is neither sufficient nor timely enough to prevent further violations. Developers continue to enjoy impunity by exploiting legal loopholes and poor enforcement of environmental laws. As a result, the city's hills and green spaces have declined dramatically, and the risk of landslides and waterlogging has escalated.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1995, it is illegal to level hills without permission from the Department of Energy. Permission from Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) should also be obtained. However, delegation, or lack thereof, is not the only issue here. According to CDA officials DesrupantoWhile there is no outright ban on construction in hilly areas, due to the topography of the area, construction requires caution. The hills of Chittagong are mainly composed of sandy soil and are susceptible to erosion, especially during heavy rains. This geological feature makes hills particularly vulnerable to damage when they are logged or disturbed.
Clearly, there must be stricter and more specific guidelines for construction in these hilly areas, and they must be enforced effectively. Law enforcement has been hampered for years by corruption and political influence, problems that should be easier to address under an interim government. Experts warn that if current mountain-clearing trends continue, Chittagong's remaining mountains could be reduced by half by 2035. Otherwise, the ecological balance of the region will be irreparably damaged, leading to an increase in the frequency and severity of landslides and floods.
