The Department of Environment conducted four mobile court operations across the country on January 7, imposing a fine of Tk 1.14 crore on 20 illegal brick kilns.
During the operation, the activities of 11 brick kilns were shut down, and two others were ordered to close.
In this nationwide operation, strict actions were taken against illegal brick kilns, charcoal factories, vehicle emissions, noise pollution, plastic use, open construction materials, and hazardous waste management.
A mobile court imposed a fine of Tk 1 lakh on the owner of a charcoal factory and demolished one factory completely. A lead factory was fined Tk 1 lakh, and two individuals were sentenced to 3 months and 6 months in prison.
In order to ban plastic shopping bags, the Department of Environment, under the initiative of Mathbaria, Pirojpur, conducted a mobile court and seized approximately 11 tons of illegal plastic shopping bags from two warehouses, collecting Tk 3 lakh in fines through two cases.
The Department of Environment also took action against black smoke from vehicles and noise pollution, warning the drivers of 9 vehicles. Discussions and warnings were held with market traders to stop plastic use. Three establishments were fined Tk 15 thousand for leaving open construction materials, contributing to air pollution, and a few others were warned.
The Department of Environment has stated that these measures to control air pollution will continue.