The Department of Environment, local administrations, and law enforcement agencies have conducted a nationwide special operation to enforce environmental protection laws.
Acting on a violation of Section 6(a) of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended in 2010), the Department of Environment led three mobile court operations simultaneously in the districts of Narayanganj, Rajbari, and Shariatpur.
The raids resulted in 11 cases being filed for the production, sale, supply, and marketing of banned polythene bags, leading to fines totaling Tk 620,200. Authorities also disconnected the electricity supply to three establishments and seized 13,026 kg of illegal polythene.
During the drive, several superstores and other shop owners, as well as the general public, were warned about the harmful effects of banned polythene bags. Awareness leaflets were also distributed. The Department of Environment stated that similar operations will continue to protect the environment.
In Bagerhat Sadar’s Fulbari area, a mobile court led by Assistant Commissioners and Executive Magistrates Md. Tanvir Islam and Adnan Zulfikar took action against the use of prohibited hydraulic horns. Two vehicles were penalised, four hydraulic horn pipes were seized, and fines totalling BDT 1,500 were realised. Prosecution was handled by DoE Bagerhat’s Assistant Director Delwar Hossain.
In Lalmonirhat Sadar, a mobile court led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mononita Das filed six cases against vehicles for using hydraulic horns and generating excessive noise, collecting BDT 3,000 in fines. Ten hydraulic horns were seized and destroyed. Prosecution was conducted by DoE Lalmonirhat’s Inspector Md. Golam Asif Rahman.
Separately, on 13 August, in a joint operation under the directives of the Hon’ble High Court, two illegal brick kilns—Elahi Bricks Manufacturing and Seven Bricks Manufacturing—were demolished in Faitang, Lama, Bandarban. On the same day, three illegal brick kilns were evicted in Kishoreganj.
The Department of Environment has affirmed that such drives against illegal polythene, noise pollution, and environmental law violations will continue.