The Department of Environment (DoE) has been conducting extensive operations across the country to combat environmental pollution.
From 2 January to 29 June 2025, a total of 1,110 mobile court drives were conducted nationwide against vehicles emitting excessive black smoke, illegal and polluting brick kilns and steel mills, noise pollution, hazardous waste discharge, poor solid waste management, illegal lead-acid battery recycling plants, wetland encroachment, tyre pyrolysis units, charcoal factories, and open storage of construction materials causing air pollution.
These drives resulted in 2,637 cases being filed and a total of Tk 254,283,900 (Two hundred fifty-four million, two hundred eighty-three thousand, nine hundred taka) in fines being imposed and realized. During the operations, 482 illegal brick kilns were completely shut down by demolishing their chimneys. Orders were issued to close 216 more kilns, while 132 kilns had their raw bricks destroyed.
Additionally, electricity and utility connections were disconnected from 86 polluting establishments, two individuals were sentenced to one month of simple imprisonment, and 6 lead-acid battery recycling units were shut down after 8 truckloads of smelting equipment were confiscated.
On 29 June 2025, a mobile court was operated in Khulna district against vehicles emitting excessive black smoke. One case was filed with a fine of Tk 500, and several drivers were cautioned.
On the same day, under the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, four mobile courts were conducted in Lalmonirhat, Rajbari, Chuadanga, and Natore districts.
A total of 17 cases were filed, with BDT 15,000 in fines collected, and 27 hydraulic horns were seized. Drivers of several vehicles were also issued warnings.
In Lalmatia and Khilgaon areas of Dhaka, two mobile courts were operated under the Air Pollution (Control) Rules, 2022 for polluting the air with exposed construction materials. Three cases were filed, with BDT 35,000 in fines collected. Nearby establishments were warned and asked to immediately remove construction materials stored in the open.
Additionally, four mobile courts were conducted in Khulna and Rajbari districts against the production, sale, distribution, and marketing of banned polythene bags, in violation of Section 6(a) of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010). Six cases were filed, BDT 15,500 in fines were collected, and 549 kilograms of polythene were seized. Several superstores and shop owners were also warned not to use or trade banned polythene.
Furthermore, enforcement actions were taken against illegally operating charcoal factories in Gopalganj district for producing coal by burning wood without environmental clearance. The factories were shut down by breaking their burners and extinguishing the fires with the assistance of the fire service.
The Department of Environment has affirmed that such anti-pollution drives will continue across the country. Alongside awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of environmental laws will remain a priority.
