Dhamrai: The Department of Environment (DoE) and Dhaka District Office conducted a joint enforcement drive resulting in the closure of five illegal brick kilns in the Sutipara and Rowail areas of Dhamrai upazila.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the operation led to the imposition of fines amounting to Taka 15 lakh on the brick kilns, which included Messrs Raisur and Samsuddin Bricks, Messrs Threestar Bricks, Messrs Lion Bricks, Messrs Dada Bricks, and Messrs S.N. Bricks and Co. Each kiln was fined Taka three lakh for non-compliance with environmental regulations.
On the same day, authorities dismantled two additional brick kilns, Messrs Mahi Bricks and Messrs ABC Brick, in Kulla and Rowail areas, ceasing their operations entirely by demolishing their chimneys. Additionally, Messrs DSB Recycling Plant in Rowail was also demolished, effectively halting its operations, as per a press release from the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry.
The mobile court was presided over by DoE Executive Magistrate Md. Rezwan-ul-Islam, with Md Nazmul Hossain, Assistant Director of the Dhaka District Office, acting as the prosecutor. Also present were Syed Forhad Hossain, Director of the DoE's Monitoring and Enforcement Wing; Md. Elias Mahmud, Deputy Director, Dhaka District Office; Inspector Nayon Kumar Roy; and Inspector SM Monjur-ul-Alam. Support for the operation was provided by members of Bangladesh Police, a platoon of RAB, a team from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, and personnel from Palli Bidyut Samity.
Meanwhile, a separate joint mobile court by the DoE and BRTA was held in the Shyamoli-Shishumela area of Dhaka. During this operation, the exhaust emissions of 20 diesel-powered vehicles, including buses, trucks, and lorries, were tested using a Smoke Opacity Meter. As a result, fines totaling Taka 14,000 were collected for violations of Section 6(1) of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010). Additionally, two vehicles using hydraulic horns were fined Taka 4,000 for breaching Rule 8(1) of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2006.
This mobile court was led by Executive Magistrate Fayzunnessa Akter of the Monitoring and Enforcement Wing, DoE headquarters, with Md Fokhr Uddin Chowdhury, Assistant Director of the DoE Dhaka Laboratory, conducting the prosecution.