Work as usual in Hazaribagh tanneries despite High Court order to snap utility services

Factories are running in full-swing in Hazaribagh despite the High Court order to snap utility services and to shut down all the tanneries inside the city.

The owners say they will decide on the 'next step' after getting a copy of the order, though many owners and workers are worried about their future.

Photo: tanvir ahammed/ bdnews24.com

Hearing a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA), a High Court bench ordered to shut the tanneries in Hazaribagh on Monday.

The order came after the government extended deadline once more for the tanners to relocate to Savar Leather Industry City until Mar 31 without the court's permission.

The government has been holding discussions with the tanners on the relocation for around three decades.

Some of the tanneries were relocated to Savar following repeated reminders by the court, but most of the others are still operating in capital’s Hazaribagh area.

Photo: tanvir ahammed/ bdnews24.com

The High Court in an order last year asked the tanneries to pay Tk 10,000 per day as compensation for pollution in case of failure to relocate.

In Monday's order, the Department of Environment (DoE) was also asked to submit a report on Apr 6 on cutting off the gas, power and water connections of the Hazaribagh tanneries.

On Tuesday, the tanneries in the area were seen in normal operations. No connection was snapped until afternoon.

A security guard at Lexco Limited told bdnews24.com that government officials visit the factories at different times, but no step to cut off the lines was seen. No notice was sent either. The workers are at work as usual.

Photo: tanvir ahammed/ bdnews24.com

One of the workers said they were worried about the relocation orders.

"We are here for a long time. If the factories are relocated to Savar, there will be uncertainty over our living arrangement or transport. We are not sure whether we will be retained," he said.

According to Tannery Workers' Association President Abul Kalam Azad, a total of 30,000 workers are involved in the Hazaribagh tannery industry. More than 100 tanneries, including 20 big ones, are still in operation in the area.

"All the workers are still at work here. Only 500 or a little more went to Savar," he said.

The workers' leader said they were more worried over living arrangement than factory relocation.

Photo: tanvir ahammed/ bdnews24.com

Azad alleged the authorities promised to set up houses, hospitals and schools in Savar for them but are yet to deliver on those words.

He urged the government to take steps in this regard.

Asked why they were still running the factories even after the High Court order, Bangladesh Finished Leather Association Chairman Mohiuddin Ahmed Mahin said, "The tannery owners will follow the court order. But the copy of the order is yet to arrive. The owners will discuss and decide the next steps after getting the copy."

Mahin said the owners would appeal against the order if there is an option. Otherwise, he added, they will help the authorities follow the order.

Photo: tanvir ahammed/ bdnews24.com

He claimed that the environment pollution has decreased by 75 percent because the tanners are 'not taking any raw hide into the area' since February.

"The area will be 100 percent free from pollution once the dyeing and finishing units are relocated," he said.