The Department of Environment (DoE) has conducted a series of mobile court drives, resulting in fines and the seizure of illegal hydraulic horns as part of its ongoing national campaign against noise and air pollution.
In accordance with the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, mobile courts were operated today in the districts of Lalmonirhat, Sherpur, and Kurigram. The anti-noise pollution operations led to nine cases being filed and fines totalling Tk11,000 being imposed and realised. 14 hydraulic horns were confiscated from vehicles, and several drivers were issued formal warnings.
A separate drive under the Air Pollution (Control) Rules, 2022, targeted air pollution from construction materials in Lalmonirhat. This operation resulted in three cases and fines amounting to Tk5,000. The owners of nearby establishments were cautioned and instructed to immediately remove construction materials stored in open spaces.
These actions form part of a broader, sustained national anti-pollution campaign. From 2 January to 13 November 2025, the department conducted 1,838 mobile court drives across the country.
These operations have targeted a range of environmental offences, including excessive vehicular emissions, illegal brick kilns, polluting steel mills, noise pollution, improper waste discharge, and poor solid waste management.
Other targets have included lead/battery recycling factories, wetland filling, tyre pyrolysis plants, charcoal production, and the open storage of construction materials.
The cumulative results of this campaign are significant. A total of 4,647 cases has been filed, with fines amounting to over Tk27 crore.
Enforcement against illegal brick kilns has been particularly vigorous, with 496 chimneys demolished, leading to the complete shutdown of those kilns. Operations at a further 222 brick kilns were ordered to cease, and the raw bricks at 138 kilns were destroyed.
In other actions, 28 illegal polythene manufacturing factories were sealed off and had their utility connections disconnected. A further 170 establishments of various types had their electricity and other service connections cut off.
The department also reported that six individuals have been sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment.
Additionally, enforcement teams confiscated eleven truckloads of lead and battery smelting equipment from 13 factories, which were subsequently closed.
The Department of Environment has reaffirmed its commitment to continue such drives in the future to ensure effective control of pollution and the conservation of the environment.
