Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam has ordered the formation of an investigation committee to stop hill and mound cutting in the Chattogram division.
The directive came at a meeting on measures to halt hill and mound cutting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the ministry said.
The committee has been asked to submit its findings within seven working days.
The move follows a media report that eight hills disappeared within three months in Khagrachhari.
The state minister said strict action will be taken against those involved, including officials of the Department of Environment, if found responsible.
Officials informed the meeting that two excavators were seized during mobile court drives in Kharichhara Masterpara of Khagrachhari Sadar.
A total of Tk1 lakh fine was imposed in the Tintohari area of Manikchhari upazila, while cases were filed in Jogyochhola and Batnatali.
In Sylhet’s Shah-Arefin Tila, ten stone extraction machines were partially destroyed, three trucks were immobilised and three people were detained.
The state minister stressed strict monitoring of excavator use, requiring prior approval for operations and banning soil extraction from agricultural land for brick kilns.
He called for coordinated efforts among all agencies to protect hills and the environment.
Ministry Secretary and senior officials, along with deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, upazila nirbahi officers and Department of Environment officials, attended the meeting.
