The Department of Environment (DoE) yesterday fined Pacific Marine Service Auto Bricks Tk10m for polluting the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong.
According to a press release, Md Alamgir, director of enforcement at the DoE, ordered the industry to stop their production, as it violated the existing Brick Burning (Control) Act 2001 by setting brick kilns within three kilometres of the City Corporation area.
“The Pacific brick industry, situated in the Baklai area of Chittagong, has been polluting the environment and destroying the ecology and biodiversity of the Karnaphuli River ever since their production started,” Alamgir added.
In addition, he also ordered the authority of Chittagong Port to stop the dredging work in Karnaphuli River until further approval from DoE, since there are several anomalies which could cause environmental degradation. The port authority had undertaken the project, titled “Capital Dredging and Bank Protection,” in order to construct an embankment and walkways, as well as increase the navigability of the river.
