DoE conducts nationwide mobile courts against polythene, air pollution
DHAKA, Sept 29, 2025 (BSS) – The Department of Environment (DoE) today conducted two mobile court drives in Rajbari and Sunamganj districts for violations of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act.
The operations targeted illegal production, sale, supply and marketing of banned polythene.
During the drives, three cases were filed, fines totaling BDT 7,000 were imposed and 68 kilograms of banned polythene were seized.
Additionally, awareness leaflets were distributed among shop owners, superstore authorities, and the public, along with cautionary messages against the use of banned polythene.
On the same day in Dhaka’s Kallyanpur area, a mobile court drive was conducted against excessive black smoke emissions from vehicles. Four cases were filed, fines amounting to BDT 14,000 were imposed and several drivers were cautioned
Furthermore, under the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006, mobile court drives were carried out in Kallyanpur and Mirpur against noise pollution.
Seven cases were filed, fines totaling BDT 24,000 were realized, and 10 hydraulic horns were seized. Several drivers were also cautioned during the operation.
According to DoE statistics, between 2 January and 29 September 2025, a total of 1,633 mobile court drives were carried out nationwide against air pollution from black smoke, illegal brick kilns, steel mills, noise pollution, hazardous waste disposal, poor solid waste management, lead-acid battery recycling, wetland encroachment, tire pyrolysis plants, charcoal factories and open dumping of construction materials.
These operations led to 4,038 cases being filed, fines amounting to BDT 264,970,500 being realized, and strong enforcement actions being taken.
Among them, 489 brick kiln chimneys were demolished and operations completely shut down, 216 kilns were ordered to close, and 133 kilns had raw bricks destroyed. Twenty-five polythene manufacturing factories were sealed and disconnected from utilities, while 147 other establishments had power or service connections cut off.
In addition, four offenders were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment without parole, and 11 truckloads of lead/battery smelting equipment were seized from 13 factories, which were subsequently shut down.
The Department of Environment reaffirmed that such nationwide anti-pollution drives will continue to protect the environment.