As part of a special initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Environment (DoE) carried out 1,540 mobile court drives across the country between January 2 and September 11 this year to combat air, noise, and polythene pollution.

According to a press release issued today, the drives led to the filing of 3,797 cases and the realization of fines totaling Tk 26.38 crore.

During this period, 489 illegal brick kilns were permanently shut down and their chimneys demolished. Orders were issued to close another 216 kilns, while raw bricks at 133 kilns were destroyed. 

In addition, 25 illegal polythene factories were sealed and their utility connections cut off. Electricity or service lines of 132 establishments were also disconnected for violating environmental laws.

The DoE reported that four individuals were sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment, while nine truckloads of lead and battery-melting equipment were seized from 13 institutions, which were later shut down.

On September 12, several drives were conducted simultaneously. Three mobile courts in Feni, Chattogram, and Narayanganj targeted banned polythene production and marketing, filing nine cases, imposing Tk 65,000 in fines, and seizing 319 kilograms of polythene. Awareness leaflets were also distributed in markets and super shops.

On the same day, two drives in Manikganj and Dhaka’s Motijheel-Gulistan area addressed black smoke emissions from vehicles. Seven cases were filed and Tk 15,000 in fines imposed, while several drivers received warnings.

In a separate operation, five mobile courts in Narail, Bandarban, Shariatpur, Manikganj, and Chattogram worked to curb noise pollution under the Noise Pollution Control Rules, 2006, filing 19 cases, imposing Tk 40,000 in fines, and seizing 34 hydraulic horns.

The DoE said its nationwide drives will continue to ensure environmental protection and safeguard public health.

MN/