Staff Reporter
As part of a special initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, the Department of Environment (DoE) has conducted 739 mobile court operations across the country from January 2 to March 23, 2025, to combat environmental pollution. These operations resulted in 1,591 cases, leading to the collection of BDT 2.31 billion in fines.

During the operations, 424 illegal brick kilns were shut down, 204 were ordered to cease operations, and raw bricks from 118 kilns were destroyed. Additionally, six truckloads of battery recycling equipment were seized from five factories, and the factories were closed.

Since November 3, 2024, a total of 362 mobile court operations have been conducted to curb the production and sale of banned polythene across Bangladesh. These efforts led to actions against 679 establishments, collecting BDT 5.49 million in fines. Approximately 1 lakh 64 thousand 86 kg of banned polythene was seized, and 12 polythene-producing factories had their utility connections severed and were sealed off.

Furthermore, eight mobile court operations were carried out in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Barguna, Meherpur, Narayanganj, and Chattogram, resulting in 23 cases and fines amounting to BDT 8.5 million. Nine brick kilns were completely shut down.
On March 25, 2025, three mobile court operations were conducted in Lalbagh, Patuakhali, and Sunamganj against illegal polythene production and sale. These led to 10 cases, BDT 22,000 in fines, and the seizure of 32 kg of banned polythene.

Additionally, two mobile court operations in Dhaka imposed BDT 35 thousand in fines for air pollution violations. In Jashore, four vehicles were penalized for noise pollution, resulting in BDT 7 thousand in fines and the confiscation of two hydraulic horns.

In Sunamganj, an operation against unauthorized stone crushing led to the seizure of four excavators and 20 shallow machines.

The Department of Environment has affirmed that its anti-pollution operations will continue.