Asian Paper Mills shut to save Halda River

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 18 - The Department of Environment (DoE) today ordered shutdown of Asian Paper Mills for polluting water of Halda River, the country's largest fish spawning ground, by dumping waste in it.

DoE director (Chattogram) Azadur Rahman Mallik issued the order after a hearing on the matter, report agencies.

He said a team from the divisional office of the department visited the mill on August 14 and issued the order to shut it saying that its waste management system was faulty.

The mill authorities were polluting the river by draining its untreated water into the river, said Mr Mallik.

Earlier, DoE set four conditions including construction of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at their factory, but the authority failed to meet the conditions.

DoE ordered factory owners to stop production as it failed to meet four conditions, said an official.

The authority also ordered to immediately implement a proper waste management system, continue running the ETP by fixing the flaws in it, and initiate a sludge removing system, he added.

The paper mill is located at Nondirhat area of Hathazari upazila in the district.

On July 17 last, the DoE suspended the production of Picking Power Plant in Hathazari upazila and fined it Tk 20 lakh on charge of polluting the Halda River by dumping wastes.

The DoE issued the order to the authorities of the 100 mw power plant during a hearing on allegations of polluting the river by dumping wastes.