Staff Correspondent

Under the directive of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Environment (DoE) conducted seven hundred sixty-two mobile court drives across the country from 2 January to 8 April 2025. The drives targeted air and noise pollution, banned polythene, hazardous waste, and illegal brick kilns, says a press release.

During this period, a total of one thousand six hundred twenty-six cases were filed, resulting in fines amounting to Taka twenty-three crore fifty-seven lakh seventy-two thousand one hundred. The drives led to the closure of four hundred thirty-four illegal brick kilns, with chimneys and raw bricks of many of them demolished.

Additionally, strict orders were issued to shut down another two hundred five kilns. Raw bricks from one hundred twenty-four kilns were destroyed, and one kiln had its electricity connection disconnected. One individual was sentenced to one month of simple imprisonment.

In another operation, equipment used for smelting lead and batteries was seized from six factories (using seven trucks), and those factories were shut down.
From 3 November 2024 to date, three hundred sixty-six mobile court drives were carried out against the production and sale of banned polythene. These drives resulted in six hundred eighty-two cases and fines totaling Taka fifty-five lakh five thousand six hundred. A total of one lakh sixty-four thousand five hundred seventy-one kilograms of illegal polythene was seized. Additionally, twelve polythene factories had their utility connections severed and were sealed off.

On 8 April alone, five mobile courts were conducted in Barguna, Noakhali, Manikganj, Rangpur, and Lakshmipur. Fourteen cases were filed, and fines of Taka forty-four lakh were collected. Chimneys and raw bricks of ten brick kilns were demolished, and one kiln's electricity connection was disconnected. One person was sentenced to one month of simple imprisonment.

At the Supreme Court premises, six cases were filed for excessive black smoke emissions, leading to fines of Taka fifteen thousand five hundred. In Shantinagar and Shariatpur, two mobile courts targeted illegal polythene production—one case was filed, Taka one thousand was fined, and twenty-two kilograms of polythene was seized. Warnings were issued to several shops, including superstores, and members of the public.

At Purana Paltan, a fine of Taka ten thousand was imposed for air pollution caused by construction materials. In Dhanmondi, five cases were filed for noise pollution, resulting in fines of Taka five thousand and the seizure of five hydraulic horns.

The Department of Environment remains committed to taking strict action to protect the environment.