The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has issued a legal notice to eight government officials, demanding immediate implementation of a High Court judgment to stop the ongoing encroachment of sand dunes and ecologically critical areas along the Cox’s Bazar sea beach.
BELA’s lawyer, Zakia Sultana, confirmed on Monday (September 22) that the notice, formally titled “Notice of Demand for Justice,” was sent by post to senior officials of the environment and housing ministries, the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority, the Department of Environment, the district administration, and the police.
The notice cites the 2011 judgment of writ petition No. 626/2011, in which the High Court declared the zone between the high-tide and low-tide lines and the first 300 meters of beach as a “No Development Zone” where construction is strictly prohibited.
The government had earlier declared the 10,465-hectare stretch of beach from Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf as an Ecologically Critical Area in 1999, banning all activities harmful to the region’s biodiversity, pristine waters, and unique habitats.
Despite these protections, over 150 shops have recently been erected by occupying dunes—allegedly approved by the district administration—within 100 meters of the beach.
Reports also indicate that more than 200 illegal structures have been built at Laboni, Suvaja, and Kolatoli points, posing a serious threat to the coastal ecosystem.
Eyewitnesses reported that starting last Friday, they installed most of the shops, which were similar in shape and color.
One shopkeeper, Tariq, admitted to paying the district administration for a permit to set up his shop.
However, the legitimacy of these permits is now under scrutiny.
Zainal Uddin, president of the Sugandha Jhinuk Market Business Association, questioned the process, saying that the shops would not have been installed in the dark if the permits were legal.
He alleged that ordinary traders are deprived while a privileged syndicate of ruling party beneficiaries occupies the beach illegally.
Local traders accused two influential figures, Zakir Hossain and Nurul Huda, known as Guramia, of being behind the fresh encroachments.
They claimed the duo had purchased 74 fresh allotment cards and attempted to install additional shops at night.
While Nurul Huda denied the allegations, Zakir Hossain said he owns only one shop.
Cox’s Bazar Executive Magistrate, Md. Azim Khan said that those setting up shops have been asked to produce their papers and warned that no one would be allowed to occupy land illegally.
He pointed out that the permits explicitly prohibit the construction of shops on sand dunes or in environmentally harmful areas.
Additional DIG for Tourist Police, Apple Mahmud, said that beach encroachment cannot be tolerated and that document verification is underway.
He added that if the district administration had issued permits, it would have determined designated areas, and shops already installed on dunes would have been ordered to be removed.
Environmentalists have welcomed BELA’s legal notice, warning that urgent action is needed to stop further destruction of the dunes, which act as a natural shield against coastal erosion and provide critical habitat for endangered species.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
