Anti Polythene Drive in Cumilla,Two Shops Fined Tk 47,000/-

M. A. Khayer Emon, Cumilla District Correspondent. CUMILLA, September 21, 2026: A mobile court has conducted an anti-polythene operation at Badsha Mia Bazar in Shashongachha area of Cumilla city, resulting in fines totaling Tk 47,000 against two shops for selling and storing banned polythene shopping bags. During the drive, authorities also seized approximately 87 kilograms of banned polythene shopping bags from the two establishments. The operation was conducted on Monday jointly by the Cumilla District Administration and the Department of Environment (DoE), Cumilla District Office, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent the production, sale, supply and use of environmentally harmful polythene bags. The mobile court found the two shops guilty of violating Section 6(A) of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended in 2010) and the relevant provision under Section 15(1), Serial No. 4 of the law. Two separate cases were filed against the establishments, and the mobile court imposed a total fine of Tk 47,000, which was recovered immediately. The mobile court was led by Sultan Hasan Mahmud, Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of the Cumilla Deputy Commissioner’s Office. Jobayer Hossain, Inspector of the Department of Environment, Cumilla District Office, conducted the prosecution during the operation. Accountant Tofayel Ahmed Majumdar and Sample Collector Md. Mobarak Hossain of the DoE district office were also present during the drive. Members of the Kotwali Model Police Station assisted the authorities in conducting the operation. Environmental activists and members of civil society have welcomed the administration’s initiative, stressing the need for regular enforcement against the use and marketing of banned polythene. They said polythene poses a serious threat to the environment as it can reduce soil quality and contribute to water pollution. When discarded polythene accumulates in drains, canals, water bodies and sewage systems, it obstructs the normal flow of water and can contribute to waterlogging, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. They also emphasized that simply conducting occasional drives may not be sufficient to eliminate the use of banned polythene. According to them, sustained monitoring and regular enforcement are necessary to prevent the illegal sale and distribution of polythene shopping bags. Environmental stakeholders have called for greater public awareness alongside law enforcement, urging consumers and businesses to shift toward environmentally friendly alternatives. Say No to Polythene, Protect the Environment. The message from environmental campaigners remains clear: “Let us reject polythene. Let us protect the environment.” The Department of Environment, Cumilla District Office, said such operations will continue as part of ongoing efforts to protect the environment and ensure compliance with environmental laws.