A legal notice has been served on relevant government authorities, seeking the removal of illegal encroachments from government and public-use canals and an end to unauthorised fish farming to restore natural water flow and drainage systems.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Golam Rahman Bhuiyan served the notice on behalf of the Manobadhikar O Samaj Unnayan Sangstha (MOSUS) on Thursday.
The notice, issued in the public interest, also called for measures to protect wetlands, the environment and aquatic biodiversity.
It was sent to the secretaries of the Local Government Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, among others.
Twenty-six people have been named as respondents, including divisional commissioners, the mayors or administrators of Dhaka North and South city corporations and the city corporations of Cumilla, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Chattogram, the inspector general of police, and other relevant government authorities.
According to the notice, encroachment on government and public-use canals, obstruction of water flow and unauthorised fish farming are disrupting natural drainage systems.
The activities are contributing to waterlogging, deteriorating water quality, environmental damage and disruption to agriculture, while also restricting public movement, it said.
Wetlands and aquatic biodiversity are also being adversely affected, while communities that depend on open water bodies for their livelihoods are suffering, according to the notice.
The authorities have been asked to survey and investigate government and public-use canals to identify illegal encroachments and obstructions to water flow.
They have also been urged to remove the encroachments, restore natural water flow and drainage systems, and take action to stop unauthorised fish farming.
The notice further called for legal action against those responsible and effective measures to protect the environment, wetlands and aquatic biodiversity.
It said the Human Rights and Social Development Organisation had earlier submitted an application to the relevant authorities on 4 August, requesting action to stop fish farming in government canals and ensure unobstructed water flow.
The notice urged the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to keep government canals and natural waterways free from encroachment, restore drainage systems and maintain environmental balance.
