24 resorts built near Sundarbans ordered to shut down

The Department of Environment (DoE) has ordered the closure of 24 resorts built near the Sundarbans in Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira, directing their owners to remove the structures within 30 days.

The resorts were served notices as they were operating in environmentally critical areas without the required permission, according to the DoE. The department said it ordered the closure after receiving unsatisfactory responses to the notices.

The 18 resorts in Khulna are Aronyachhaya, Aronyabari, Keoraban, Mayaban, Gahon, The Forest Retreat, Nikunja Valley, La Silva Cottage, Bonbibi, Sundari, Irawati, Bonmali, Golkanon, Piyali, Mangrove, Janglabari, Bonobas and Bonlota Eco Cottage.

“The authorities of the resorts were served notices in accordance with the law. As no satisfactory response was received, we have ordered the closure of their operations,” said Khondkar Md Fazlul Haque, director of the DoE’s Khulna divisional office.

“No resort can be operated in an environmentally critical area,” he said.

Of the 24 resorts ordered to shut down, 18 are in Khulna, two in Bagerhat and four in Satkhira, he added.