Despite resistance from vested interests, the crackdown on illegal polythene bags will continue, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Speaking at a virtual meeting with deputy commissioners on Sunday, January 26, 2025, she emphasized that illegal production and distribution of polythene bags pose severe environmental threats. The meeting, held at the capital’s Water Development Board auditorium, focused on the upcoming observance of World Fishing Cat Day on February 1, 2025, and discussed raising awareness for the conservation of the fishing cat under the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act, 2012.
The advisor condemned today’s attack on officials during a raid at an illegal polythene production facility in Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area. She stated that a case has been filed at Chawkbazar Police Station against those who obstructed government officials in carrying out their duties and attacked them. Legal action will be taken against the perpetrators.
Highlighting the environmental damage caused by polythene, she pointed out that approximately 12.5 million polythene bags are discarded daily, contributing to severe pollution. She called for collective efforts to halt the production and distribution of polythene and urged the public to raise awareness to protect endangered species like the fishing cat. She also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing operations against hill cutting, illegal brick kilns, and soil extraction from agricultural land.
During today’s operation in Chawkbazar, three illegal polythene production facilities were shut down, their power connections severed, and warning notices issued to shop owners involved in the production, sale, and distribution of banned polythene. Similar raids were conducted in Rajbari, Barishal, Pirojpur, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Sherpur, and Comilla, as well as other areas of Dhaka, including New Market and Chawkbazar. Nine mobile courts filed 21 cases, imposing fines amounting to BDT 1,05,500, and confiscated approximately 2,387 kilograms of banned polythene.
Meanwhile, the Department of Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation carried out an eviction drive in the Bhabanipur Beat under Bhawal Range. In a joint operation involving the Gazipur district administration, army, BGB, RAB, police, and forest department, 3 acres of reserved forest land were recovered. Thirty illegal structures, including two-story buildings and shops valued at approximately BDT 10 crore, were demolished.
