THAKURGAON — The Department of Environment has taken a tough line on enforcing environmental laws, fining four illegal brick kilns a total of 20 lakh taka (about $18,200) and demolishing two of them during an operation in Pirganj upazila of Thakurgaon.
The mobile court operation was carried out Tuesday afternoon, April 21, by the Thakurgaon district office of the Department of Environment.
The operation was led by Md. Rezwan-Ul-Islam, an executive magistrate and senior assistant secretary in the department’s monitoring and enforcement wing. Md. Tamim Hassan, assistant director of the Thakurgaon district office, served as the prosecutor.
Brick kilns had long been operating illegally in several parts of Pirganj upazila without environmental clearance, causing serious harm to surrounding farmland, vegetation and public health, officials said. The Department of Environment carried out the operation after receiving multiple local complaints.
Tamim Hassan, the assistant director, said two illegal kilns — MBB Bricks and Messrs D Star Bricks — were completely demolished under the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013 (amended 2019).
Four kilns — MBB Bricks, Messrs D Star Bricks, SBS Bricks and Messrs MBS Bricks — were each fined 5 lakh taka, for a total of 20 lakh taka, which was collected on the spot.
The kilns had been illegally cutting soil from cropland, which is severely damaging to agriculture, he said. At the same time, the smoke and harmful gases from brick firing were adding to air pollution and causing respiratory problems and other health risks for local residents.
The demolition of the two kilns brought relief to local residents, who had long suffered from environmental damage. Residents expressed satisfaction with the operation and called for such drives to continue regularly.
The Department of Environment said it would continue strict action against any illegal activities harming the environment, and urged the public to remain aware of the need to protect it.
Police, Ansar and Fire Service members provided overall support during the operation, which was completed smoothly with their assistance.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report