The environment, forest and climate change ministry filed has 3,797 cases and realised Tk 26.38 crore in fines so far this year in special drives against air, noise and polythene pollution.聽
The Department of Environment conducted 1,540 mobile court drives between January 2 and September 11 this year, said a press release issued by the ministry on Friday.
During this period, 489 brick kilns were completely shut down with chimneys demolished, directives were issued to close 216 kilns, and raw bricks from 133 kilns were destroyed.
A total of 25 polythene factories were sealed off with utility connections cut, while 132 other establishments had their electricity or service supply lines disconnected.
Four individuals received varying terms of imprisonment, while nine truckloads of lead/battery melting equipment were seized from 13 institutions whose operations were closed.
On Friday, three mobile courts in Feni, Chattogram and Narayanganj penalised illegal production and marketing of banned polythene under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act.
Nine cases were filed, resulting in Tk 65,000 in fines and seizure of 319kg of polythene.
Awareness leaflets were also distributed at markets and super shops.
The same day, two mobile courts were conducted in Manikganj and Dhaka鈥檚 road areas connecting Motijheel with Gulistan against excessive black smoke emission from vehicles, filing seven cases and collecting Tk 15,000 in fines while issuing warnings to several drivers.
Furthermore, five mobile courts were conducted in Narail, Bandarban, Shariatpur, Manikganj and Chattogram to control noise pollution under the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006.
These drives resulted in 19 cases, Tk 40,000 fines and seizure of 34 hydraulic horns, the press release added.
