The Department of Environment (DoE) yesterday fined AK Khan Group, a renowned business conglomerate, Tk 1 crore for cutting a hill and continuing the construction of a ‘five star hotel’ in Lalkhan Bazar area of Chittagong.
Abdur Rahman Mallick, director of DoE (Chittagong city), confirmed the fine. He said the business group violated the condition on which it was given the permission to construct the hotel.
“They violated the condition on which our approval was given. They started cutting the Batali Hills for their hotel and that’s why they have been fined Tk 1 crore,” Mallick said.
Batali Hills, located right in the heart of the city, is the highest peak in Chittagong city and is a tourist attraction.
The Chittagong Develop­ment Authority, in its Detailed Area Plan for the port city in 1995, recommended that the Batali Hills be preserved as a heritage site.