DHAKA, Dec 16, 2025 (BSS) - The Department of Environment (DoE), in coordinated operations with district and upazila administrations, carried out a nationwide drive on Monday against air pollution, illegal brick kilns, banned polythene usage and industries operating without government approval.

The enforcement campaign resulted in fines being collected, closure of polluting units, destruction of approximately 1.5 million raw bricks and disconnection of electricity, gas and water services from noncompliant facilities.

A mobile court led by an Executive Magistrate from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change conducted drives at multiple spots in Dhaka, including Shantinagar Mor, Ramna, Rampura and Merul Badda, where construction materials were being dumped on open roads - a major contributor to airborne dust and pollution. 

Several cases were filed under the Air Pollution Control Regulations, fines were imposed, and owners were ordered to remove the materials immediately. 

In Pirojpur's Nazirpur upazila, polythene ban enforcement teams fined a trader for selling banned plastic sheet and seized about 11 kilograms of illegal polythene. In the afternoon, a clinic in Pirojpur Sadar was fined for violations of biomedical waste management rules.

In Sunamganj Sadar, authorities fined Messrs. A.R.B Bricks for operating an illegal brick kiln. The fire service extinguished active pits and an excavator was used to destroy raw bricks, effectively halting kiln operations.

Large scale actions were also taken in Rangamati's Langadu and Kawkhali upazilas, where numerous brick kilns were found operating in defiance of High Court directives. Close to 10 lakh raw bricks were destroyed, chimneys of five kilns were demolished and utility connections were cut. Multiple cases are now in process.

In Lalmonirhat's Hatibandha, two brick kilns faced action - one was fined, while the other had its chimney torn down and utilities disconnected and its stockpile of raw bricks destroyed.

Environmental regulators in Narsingdi district disconnected electricity, gas and water from three dyeing factories and a battery manufacturing plant that lacked environmental clearance. Due to a legal stay order, a poultry farm was not disconnected.

In Kushtia's Veramara upazila, officers dismantled a fixed chimney of an illegal brick kiln, shut down operations and destroyed an estimated five lakh raw bricks.

The DoE and concerned authorities have said that regular drives and strict enforcement will continue to hold polluters accountable and safeguard environmental quality across the country.