Dhaka: The Department of Environment (DoE) has been conducting extensive operations across the country to combat environmental pollution. From 2 January to 29 June 2025, a total of 1,110 drives were conducted nationwide against vehicles for emitting black smoke, brick kilns and steel mills, hazardous waste discharge, poor solid waste management, illegal lead-acid battery recycling plants, wetland encroachment, tyre pyrolysis units, and charcoal factories for causing air pollution, said an official press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during these operations, 2,637 cases were filed, resulting in fines totaling Tk 254,283,900. Notably, 482 illegal brick kilns were completely shut down by demolishing their chimneys. Additionally, orders were issued to close 216 more kilns, and raw bricks from 132 kilns were destroyed.
Furthermore, electricity and utility connections were disconnected at 86 establishments. Two individuals received sentences of one month of imprisonment, and six lead-acid battery recycling units were shut down. These measures reflect the DoE's commitment to addressing environmental violations and promoting sustainable practices across the country.