Staff Reporter
The Department of Environment (DoE), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has taken a firm stance against environmental pollution and conducted a total of 1,262 mobile court drives across the country from 2 January to 24 July 2025. The drives targeted air, noise, water, and solid waste pollution, illegal use of banned polythene, hazardous lead and battery recycling, wetland encroachment, unauthorized brick kilns, and tire pyrolysis factories.
During this period, a total of 3,063 cases were filed, resulting in the collection of BDT 257,595,800 in fines. A total of 484 illegal brick kiln chimneys were demolished, leading to complete shutdowns, while 216 more were issued strict closure directives. Additionally, raw bricks from 133 kilns were destroyed.
Sixteen illegal polythene factories had their utility services disconnected and were sealed. Utility services (electricity/gas) to 98 polluting establishments were cut off. Two individuals received one-month imprisonment without labor, and equipment for smelting lead/batteries—amounting to eight truckloads—were seized from six factories and the establishments were shut down.
Since 3 November 2024, the DoE has conducted 496 mobile court drives against banned polythene, filing 929 cases and collecting BDT 6,879,100 in fines. A total of 251.54 kg of banned polythene was seized, and 16 more factories were sealed and disconnected from utility services.
On 24 July 2025, the DoE conducted a mobile court in the Kuril Bishwa Road area of Dhaka against vehicles emitting excessive black smoke. Four cases were filed, resulting in fines totaling BDT 15,000, and several drivers were issued warnings. Under the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, five mobile court drives were conducted in Dhaka, Jashore, Rajbari, and Khulna, filing 19 cases and imposing fines amounting to BDT 26,500. Twenty-seven hydraulic horns were confiscated. In Mymensingh, a mobile court imposed a BDT 100,000 fine for violating the Air Pollution Control Rules, 2022.
Also on 24 July, a mobile court in Narayanganj fined two cases BDT 5,000 for producing, selling, and distributing banned polythene and seized 9 kg of polythene. Super shop owners, retailers, and the general public were issued awareness messages about the legal ban on polythene. The Department of Environment has reiterated its commitment to continue such enforcement actions to protect the country’s environment.