The High Court has ordered a boundary survey of Kaptai Lake in Rangamati to identify illegal encroachers and directed the authorities to submit a detailed report, including the names and addresses of those involved, within four months.
The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan passed the order following a hearing on a supplementary application. The court has set 6 January 2027 as the deadline for the submission of the report.
The deputy commissioner (DC) of Rangamati and the director general of Survey Department have been instructed to conduct the survey in accordance with the lake’s original map.
The legal action stems from a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) in the public interest, following media reports regarding the pollution and illegal occupation of the lake.
While the High Court had previously issued a rule on 17 October 2022 directing the eviction of illegal occupants, the need for a formal survey arose during the eviction process to accurately identify the actual encroachers.
The DC of Rangamati had earlier noted the necessity of the Survey Department’s involvement to complete the task. Consequently, HRPB filed a supplementary application last Thursday seeking specific directions for a map-based survey.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Manzill Murshid, representing HRPB, argued that Kaptai Lake was established to support a power plant, but ongoing illegal occupation and pollution are now threatening electricity generation.
He stated that despite media reports, the local administration has failed to take effective measures. He further noted that some encroachers are claiming ownership of the land, making a formal survey essential to distinguish them from legal holders and facilitate the eviction process.
Senior Advocate Manzill Murshid was assisted by Advocate Sanjoy Mandal, while Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Nur Mohammad Azmi represented the state.
