Staff Reporter
Efforts to shut down illegal production of polythene shopping bags will be intensified, stated Tapan Kumar Biswas, Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Additional Secretary. He announced that the number of mobile courts has been increased to enforce stricter measures. Legal actions will be taken against offenders.

Tapan Kumar Biswas further disclosed that since November 3, a total of 216 mobile court operations have been conducted nationwide. These drives resulted in fines of approximately BDT 28.73 lakh against 438 establishments and the seizure of 59,959 kilograms of polythene.

He shared this information during a media briefing following a monitoring operation at the Hatirpool and Palashi markets in Dhaka to curb the use of polythene bags.

Highlighting the adverse effects of polythene, he stated that it has caused severe environmental pollution, disrupted the flow of rivers and canals, and degraded soil fertility. He emphasized the need to enforce the ban effectively and urged people to adopt alternative bags.

Tapan Kumar Biswas advised citizens to carry their own reusable bags when shopping. He also suggested using jute, fabric, or wax-coated paper bags for carrying items like fish and meat. Calling for media support, he added, “We seek everyone’s cooperation to succeed in this initiative.”

The monitoring operation was conducted with the participation of officials from the Ministry, the Department of Environment, law enforcement agencies, and representatives from the respective market committees.

The team also inspected the use of polythene bags at shops and ran campaigns to encourage traders to use jute and fabric bags.