Tk3.7 m fines realised thru mobile courts against air pollution

Dhaka air was classified at unhealthy on Sunday. UNB Photo

Dhaka, January 5: A special campaign against air pollution has been conducted across the country under the initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

A total of 3.7 million taka fines were collected through 13 mobile courts for various crimes today.

In this campaign, action was taken against those who create air pollution due to illegal brick kilns, black smoke from vehicles, illegal polythene and keeping construction materials in open areas. The Department of Environment operated 7 mobile courts in different parts of the country to prevent air pollution. In this, a fine of 3.6 million taka was collected from 12 illegal brick kilns and the chimneys of 8 brick kilns were demolished and operations were stopped.

In the anti-polythene campaign, 1 mobile court was conducted and a fine of 10 thousand taka was collected and 88 kg of banned polythene was seized. 1 mobile court was conducted against excessive black smoke emission from vehicles and a fine of 7 thousand 200 taka was collected from 4 transports. Two mobile courts were conducted and a fine of Tk 15,000 was collected from two establishments for keeping construction materials in the open and several establishments were warned. Two mobile courts were conducted and a fine of Tk 50,000 was collected from one establishment for discharging hazardous waste and the owner of another establishment was sentenced to one month in prison and the factory equipment was seized.

From 2 to 5 January 2025, a total of 24 cases were filed in the mobile court operations of the Department of Environment and a fine of Tk 13,23,200 was collected. During this time, the activities of 21 brick kilns were stopped and 11 hydraulic horns were seized.

The Ministry of Environment will continue to take strict steps to protect the environment. – PID Handout