Department of Environment demolishes 11 illegal brick kilns in Bagerhat to protect environment. Photo : BSS

BAGERHAT, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - A mobile court demolished 11 illegal panja system brick kilns in Bagerhat Sadar Upazila on Thursday afternoon.

The drive, led by Executive Magistrate Momtaz Begum of the Khulna Divisional Office of the Department of Environment (DoE), also halted wood-fuel-based operations used in the illegally run kilns. The operation was initiated by Asadur Rahman, Deputy Director of the DoE's Bagerhat district office, with support from district police, Sadar Thana police and Fire Service personnel.

When the mobile court team reached the Baburhat Bazar area of Bishnupur Union, some brick kiln workers and locals blocked the road by sitting and lying on it. They requested the authorities to postpone the drive until after Eid and asked for two weeks to shut down the kilns themselves.

After officials explained the legal penalties for operating illegal kilns and the environmental damage caused by such activities, the workers cleared the road and cooperated with the operation.

The mobile court later demolished the 11 illegal kilns using excavators.

Earlier on March 11, another mobile court drive in Santgachia and Baburhat Bazar areas of the upazila demolished seven illegal brick kilns and destroyed about 400,000 raw bricks.

Deputy Director Asadur Rahman said such drives against illegal brick kilns will continue to protect the environment.