To construct a residential hall for students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust), parts of hillocks have been razed in the last couple of days.

The move drew immediate flak from students and environmental activists.

The university authorities, however, are trying to cover up their wrongdoings with an assurance that no further razing will take place.

The Tk 23.50 crore project has been undertaken to construct a dormitory for female students of Sust on the campus.

Asked, Md Matiur Rahman, executive engineer (civil) of the university, claimed that no hillocks had been razed for construction purposes. "Some grassy edges might have been razed to level up the ground," he told this correspondent yesterday.

Contacted, Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed, vice-chancellor of the university, answered in a similar vein.

The bottom part of a hillock, which was actually some 'mound of soil', was razed to inspect some issues, he said. "But hearing about the razing, I visited the site on Friday morning, and instructed the engineers not to raze another inch of the hillock," he added.

Criticising the move, Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Sylhet chapter), said, "This is outrageous. How can a university act in such a way.. To protect the environment, we fight along with the teachers of the university, but now the university authorities are involved in such an illegal practice. It must be stopped at once."

Meanwhile, many Sust students protested the razing of hillocks online.

Seeking anonymity, a student said, "Taking advantage of a closed campus, they [authorities] started the construction works, thinking that no one would notice and they would get away with it."

"But this is our university and we won't let such environmentally destructive activities take place there," students said in unison.

According to Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995 (amended in 2000), cutting hills without having approval from the environment authorities is prohibited.

Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not get in touch with the officials of the Department of Environment as the director and assistant director's contact numbers were found switched off.

Asked about it, the Sust VC said, "The environment department is not aware of the incident. I have spoken to the officials of the department and the issue has been settled."

"No move will be taken by destroying the environment. I have asked the engineers to shift the project 10-20 metres away from the hillocks, if needed," he said.

"I assure everyone that no further harm will be done... If necessary, the construction works will be postponed until we come up with a better plan, while keeping in mind the potential impact on the environment," the VC added.