The Department of Environment (DoE) has conducted a nationwide mobile court drive to enforce the Environment Conservation Act and related regulations, targeting illegal practices in polythene use, noise pollution, and air quality.
According to a press release issued Tuesday, in Dhaka and Jashore, mobile courts focused on the production, sale, and marketing of banned polythene, seizing 1,220kg of the material.
The drives in Chawkbazar and Shantinagar, Dhaka, along with Jashore, led to the filing of seven cases and the realization of fines totaling Tk101,000.
Additionally, supermarket owners, shopkeepers, and the public were served with cautionary notices and awareness leaflets to encourage compliance with environmental guidelines.
The Department also conducted six mobile court drives under the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006 in Cox’s Bazar, Panchagarh, Rangpur, Rajbari, Narayanganj, and Keraniganj.
These drives resulted in 19 cases, fines of Tk26,800, and the seizure of 30 hydraulic horns. Several vehicle drivers were cautioned for violating noise pollution regulations.
In Khilkhet, Dhaka, a drive targeting excessive black smoke emissions from vehicles led to four cases being filed and a fine of Tk10,000 being imposed. The drivers were issued warnings and urged to ensure better vehicle maintenance.
Furthermore, two mobile court drives under the Air Pollution Control Rules 2022 were carried out in Panchagarh and Dhaka (Banasree and Rampura) to address pollution caused by construction materials. The drives resulted in three cases, Tk31,000 in fines, and orders for the immediate removal of the construction materials. Several nearby business owners were also cautioned to ensure compliance with air quality standards.
The DoE’s enforcement efforts are part of an ongoing initiative to combat environmental pollution and ensure that laws are followed to protect public health and the environment.