The Department of Environment (DoE) ordered the closure of 24 unauthorized resorts operating in environmentally critical areas near the Sundarbans across Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira, directing owners to remove the structures within 30 days. tbsnews.net reported that the establishments received prior notices but failed to provide satisfactory responses, prompting enforcement actions under national environmental laws.
Enforcement Actions and Legal Warnings in Khulna
Sardar Shariful Islam, Deputy Director of the Khulna Divisional DoE office, confirmed that final closure notices were issued following two prior warnings directed at the eco-cottages and resorts situated along the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage Sundarbans, according to the Daily Observer. Md. Harun-or-Rashid, Assistant Director at the Khulna District DoE office, delivered the written final notices to resort owners.
The final warning explicitly stated that non-compliance would result in strict legal measures under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (Amended 2010). These measures include mobile court drives, electricity disconnections, and formal lawsuits.
DoE targets 24 properties across three districts
The crackdown targets 24 properties distributed across three districts: 18 in Khulna, two in Bagerhat, and four in Satkhira, according to Khondkar Md Fazlul Haque, director of the DoE’s Khulna divisional office. Daily Observer noted that among the targeted properties are establishments such as Sundari, Irawati, Aranya Chhaya, Aranya Bari, Keora Bon, Maya Bon, Gahan, The Forest Retreat, Nikunja Valley, La Silva Cottage, Bonbibi, Bonomali, Golkanon, Piyali, Mangrove, Jungle Bari, Bonobash, and Bonolota Eco Cottage.
Property owners face strict compliance timelines. Ten of the resort authorities have been granted 30 days to completely dismantle and remove all structures, while eight establishments have been given a tighter 15-day deadline to clear the protected zone.
Why Sundarbans resorts face shutdown and penalties
Why were the Sundarbans resorts ordered to shut down?
The DoE stated that the resorts were operating illegally in environmentally critical areas without the required permissions and failed to respond satisfactorily to prior official notices.
What specific penalties do resort owners face for non-compliance?
According to the Daily Observer, owners who fail to remove their structures within the given deadlines face mobile court operations, utility disconnections, and formal legal prosecution under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (Amended 2010).
How are the affected resorts distributed geographically?
Out of the 24 total properties ordered to close, 18 are located in Khulna, four in Satkhira, and two in Bagerhat.