Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) has called for an immediate halt to the construction of a road on the sand dunes of Cox’s Bazar sea beach. According to the organization, construction is currently underway at the sand dunes of Sugandha Beach Point, in violation of the Environmental Conservation Act and despite a directive from the High Court. BAPA leaders have demanded that the work be stopped without delay.
On Friday morning, BAPA organized a human chain in front of Joyita Tower in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The program was chaired by the organization’s Vice President Zakir Hossain. Among those who addressed the gathering was BAPA Executive Member and urban planner-architect Iqbal Habib, organizing secretary Mihir Biswas, Cox’s Bazar district branch president M. Zafar Alam Didar, general secretary Karim Ullah Kolim, and Bangladesh Juba Union president Asaduzzaman Khan.
Speaking at the human chain, Zakir Hossain said Cox’s Bazar sea beach does not belong to any individual or institution. It is a natural resource of the state and an asset for future generations. But unplanned development, illegal occupation, unauthorized construction, and the destruction of sand dunes have already placed the beach environment under serious threat. Building a road over the sand dunes in the name of development, he warned, could have disastrous consequences.
Architect Iqbal Habib said recent natural disasters have demonstrated the consequences of damaging natural ecosystems. He also questioned the practicality of constructing a road over sand, saying such a project would be highly expensive. He alleged that commercial interests may be involved in the initiative.
M. Zafar Alam Didar emphasized that sand dunes are more than a scenic feature of the beach. They form a natural line of defense against cyclones, tidal surges, and strong waves. They also provide habitat for marine species, including crabs and turtles. Cutting through the dunes to build a road, he said, could increase coastal erosion and cause further damage to biodiversity.
Mihir Biswas described the sand dunes as important breeding grounds for marine crabs and turtles. He called for legal action against individuals and institutions involved in activities that damage the environment.
BAPA General Secretary Alamgir Kabir expressed concern over the commencement of road construction on the sand dunes at Sugandha Beach Point. He demanded that the project be stopped immediately.
The human chain put forward seven demands. These included stopping the ongoing road construction on the sand dunes; implementing the High Court’s verdict and directives in Case No. 226/2011; removing illegal structures and occupations; and making environmental impact assessments and expert opinions mandatory before approving projects involving sand dunes.
The demands also called for the protection of sand dunes and coastal biodiversity, legal action against those involved in environmentally destructive activities, and an end to the illegal cutting of hillocks and hills in Cox’s Bazar.
BAPA’s Seven-Point Demand to Stop Road Construction on Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach in Violation of the ECA Law and High Court Directives
-
Immediately stop the ongoing road construction on the sand dunes of Sugandha Beach and other parts of the sea beach.
-
Fully implement the verdict and directives of the High Court in Case No. 226/2011.
-
Remove illegal structures and occupations in accordance with the Ministry of Environment’s directive issued on 23 September 2025.
-
Make Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and expert opinions mandatory before undertaking any project on sand dunes.
-
Adopt a long-term conservation plan to protect sand dunes, marine turtle nesting grounds, and coastal biodiversity.
-
Take legal action against individuals or institutions involved in environmentally destructive activities.
-
Stop the illegal cutting of hillocks and hills in Cox’s Bazar.