13, 423 kg Banned Polythene Seized in Anti-Pollution Drive

Polythene shopping bags

Dhaka, February 4: Under the special directive of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Environment conducted four mobile court operations today in Noakhali, Barguna, Cumilla, and Agargaon, Dhaka, against the production, sale, distribution, and marketing of banned polythene. The operations resulted in seven cases, with fines totaling BDT 40 thousand. 

Additionally, approximately 13 thousand 423 kg of banned polythene was seized nationwide and shop owners were warned about the legal consequences.

Four mobile court operations were also conducted in Narsingdi, Shariatpur, Narayanganj, and Gazipur against illegal brick kilns. These resulted in three cases, with fines amounting to BDT three lakh. In Shariatpur, the manager of an illegal brick kiln was sentenced to six months of imprisonment, and five brick kilns were shut down. In Gazipur, three brick kilns had their raw bricks destroyed, and fires were extinguished with the help of the fire service.

In Dhaka’s Agargaon area, a mobile court was conducted against vehicles emitting excessive black smoke. Four cases were filed, and fines amounting to BDT 10 thousand were collected. Several drivers were also cautioned.

Additionally, four mobile court operations were carried out in Paltan, Shahbagh,

Lalbagh, and Agargaon against air pollution caused by construction materials. These resulted in six cases, with fines totaling BDT 21 thousand, and warnings were issued to the owners of the concerned establishments.

The Department of Environment has affirmed that such operations will continue to protect the environment. – PID Handout