The Department of Environment (DoE) has fined Tk 231.2 million and closed 628 brick kilns nationwide in anti-pollution efforts Since January of this year.
These drives also resulted in the seizure of 164,086 kg of polythene.
From January 2 to March 23, the DoE conducted 739 mobile court operations across the country to address environmental pollution. According to the environment ministry on Tuesday, these operations led to 1,591 cases.
During these 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, which were subsequently closed.
Since November 3, 2024, a total of 362 mobile court operations have been carried out to combat the production and sale of banned polythene in Bangladesh.
These efforts resulted in actions against 679 establishments, with fines totalling Tk 5.49 million. Approximately 164,086 kg of banned polythene was seized, and 12 polythene-producing factories had their utility connections severed and were sealed off.
Moreover, eight mobile court operations in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Barguna, Meherpur, Narayanganj, and Chattogram led to 23 cases and fines amounting to Tk 8.5 million, with nine brick kilns being permanently closed.
On March 25, three mobile court operations were conducted in Lalbagh, Patuakhali, and Sunamganj to address illegal polythene production and sales, resulting in 10 cases, Tk 22,000 in fines, and the seizure of 32 kg of banned polythene.
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