The High Court on Monday directed the authorities to submit comprehensive lists of officially recorded ponds in five cities — Chattogram, Bogura, Barishal, Mymensingh and Sylhet — in the form of affidavits within three months.

The court also ordered the formation of monitoring committees led by the respective deputy commissioners to prevent the illegal occupation and filling of ponds in the cities.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Shikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the interim order, along with a rule, following the preliminary hearing of a writ petition.

Senior lawyer Monzil Morshed, appearing for the petitioner, said the law completely prohibits changing the characteristics of ponds. He added that the court had asked the respondents to explain why strict action should not be taken against those responsible under Section 8 of the Environment Conservation Act.

The court directed the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of the five districts to form seven-member monitoring committees within 15 days. The committees will include representatives of the district administration, police and the Department of Environment and will work to prevent any further encroachment on or filling of recorded ponds.

The court also issued a four-week rule asking why the authorities’ inaction in protecting recorded ponds should not be declared illegal and why directives should not be issued to take action against those responsible for violating the Water Bodies Conservation Act.

A national daily recently published a report on the illegal occupation and filling of ponds in violation of various provisions of the Water Bodies Conservation Act and the Environment Conservation Act. Based on the report, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a public interest writ petition with the High Court on Sunday.