Department of Environment (DoE) pressed a hefty fine of Tk 4.54 crore on two textile factories established in the protected zones of Bhawal National Forest in Gazipur without any environmental clearance certificate.
During a drive yesterday, DoE fined One Denim Ltd and One Spinning Mill Ltd on charge of several offences including damage to biodiversity and ecological balance, and destruction of trees and top soil.
The government in 1999 declared eight moujas within the forest, including Araisho Prasad, that are off limit for construction of any structures or factories, even if there is any private land.
The two factories, however, were set up in Araisho Prasad mouja during 2005 and 2006 without any clearance from the environment authorities, said DoE officials.
The said areas, with One Denim occupying 8.75 acres and One Spinning occupying 13 acres, were also earmarked as Core (protected) Area, they said.
Giasuddin Al Mamun owns the two factories, said DoE Director Mohammad Munir Chowdhury who led the drive.
Mamun, convicted in several cases, has been in jail since the last caretaker government chastised many on corruption charges.
The DoE enforcement team discovered anomalies and faults in the effluent treatment plant of One Denim's dyeing factory, said Munir.
A total of Tk 228 crores have been invested in the factories said factory officials during interrogation.
The fine amount was the highest charged in the DoE drives during the past one year.
The government declared the Bhawal forest as a national park under the Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Act, 1974 to preserve the forest's environment and biodiversity.
Source : The Daily Star
