The High Court on Tuesday (May 11) asked Attorney General AM Amin Uddin to take necessary steps to stop tree felling at Suhrawardy Udyan till May 20.

The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman issued the order.

The court also fixed May 20 for hearing a contempt of court petition filed against the government on the charge of clearing trees and setting up restaurant at Suhrawardy Udyan, ignoring the HC's 2009 verdict.

The court told AG AM Amin Uddin, "The next hearing will be held on May 20. Till then, no one will be allowed to cut trees, convey this information to the authorities concerned." 

Six environmental organisation including Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and an individual filed a writ with the HC on Sunday.

The government has faced criticism for the new development project it has undertaken at the Suhrawardy Udyan, the site of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic speech delivered on Mar 7, 1971.

The project includes the construction of a restaurant and a walkway, among other structures in the area. Several mature trees were felled for the new project and several others are marked for clearance.

BDST: 1500 HRS, May 11, 2021
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