In a concerted effort to combat air pollution and enforce the Degraded Airshed declaration, the Department of Environment (DoE) has conducted a series of enforcement drives, resulting in the shutdown of multiple illegal brick kilns in Savar and penalties for other environmental violations across several districts.
A special enforcement drive in Savar Upazila, led by the DoE in collaboration with its Dhaka District Office and the Monitoring and Enforcement Wing, targeted illegally operating brick kilns. The Messrs ABM & Co. brick kiln in the Mushuri khola area was found operational. The enforcement team demolished its chimney, crushed all unbaked bricks, and disconnected its electricity supply. A fine of Tk600,000 was imposed on the spot.
The operation also led to the dismantling of two other kilns—ABN Bricks in the Shyamlasi area and HMB Star Bricks in the Chhapra area. Their chimneys were demolished, operations were halted, and each was fined Tk600,000. A fourth kiln, Messrs MHS Bricks in Chhapra, was also demolished. Electricity connections to all these illegal facilities were severed, and their meters were removed.
In a separate action in Panchagarh District, a mobile court penalised the illegal production, sale, and marketing of banned polythene bags under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995. A total of Tk4,500 in fines was realised from two cases, and 215 kilograms of banned polythene were seized. Shop owners and traders were given cautionary advice, and awareness leaflets were distributed.
Further measures to control air and noise pollution were also implemented. In Lalbagh, Dhaka, a mobile court targeted vehicles emitting excessive black smoke, filing five cases and collecting Tk15,000 in fines, with several drivers receiving warnings.
Under the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006, operations in Shyamoli (Dhaka) and Panchagarh resulted in four cases, fines of Tk11,500, and the seizure of four hydraulic horns.
Additionally, following the Air Pollution Control Rules, 2022, six mobile court drives were conducted in Aftabnagar, Bosila, Narayanganj, Panchagarh, Munshiganj, and Sirajganj to prevent dust pollution from construction materials. Ten cases were filed, and fines totalling Tk 22,500 were collected. Establishment owners were cautioned and given on-site instructions to remove materials immediately.
