Dhaka, 30 January 2025:
Under the special initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Environment conducted extensive mobile court operations across the country throughout January.
A total of 287 mobile court drives were carried out from January 2 to 30, 2025 These operations resulted in 686 cases, with fines amounting to BDT 8.95 crore. Additionally, 107 brick kiln chimneys were demolished, 66 kilns were ordered to shut down, and raw bricks from 7 kilns were destroyed. Six trucks of lead/battery recycling equipment were seized from five factories, which were subsequently shut down.
The drive targeted vehicles emitting excessive black smoke, illegal brick kilns, steel mills, noise pollution sources, hazardous waste, lead/battery recycling factories, waterbody encroachments, tire pyrolysis plants, charcoal factories, and open storage of construction materials causing air pollution.
Since November 3, 2024, a total of 303 mobile court operations have been conducted across Bangladesh against the production, sale, distribution, and marketing of banned polythene. These operations led to fines amounting to BDT 4.42 crore imposed on 591 establishments. Additionally, approximately 1 lakh 17 thousand 218 kg of banned polythene was seized, and utility connections to 11 polythene manufacturing factories were cut off before sealing them.
Today five mobile court operations were carried out in Chattogram, Gaibandha, and Dhaka’s Mirpur and Mohammadpur areas against banned polythene production and distribution. Seven cases were filed, resulting in fines of BDT 1.86 lakh, and 9 thousand 528 kg of banned polythene was seized. Shop owners across the country were warned against selling banned polythene.
On the same day, seven mobile court operations were conducted in Kurigram, Feni, Jhalokathi, Jhenaidah, Chattogram, Lakshmipur, and Dhaka. Fourteen cases were filed, leading to fines of BDT 52.5 lakh. Four bric kilns were demolished, and nine kilns were ordered to shut down.Three mobile court operations were conducted in Dhaka’s Mugda, Motijheel, and Uttara against air pollution caused by construction materials. Three cases were filed, resulting in fines of BDT 35 thousand and several businesses were warned.
To curb noise pollution, three mobile court drives were conducted in Thakurgaon, Sirajganj, and Meherpur. Eight vehicle drivers were fined BDT 15 thousand and 15 hydraulic horns were seized. Several other drivers were given warning notices.
The Department of Environment will continue such operations to prevent pollution.
