DHAKA, Jan 04, 2025 (BSS)- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken decision to intensify anti-polythene drive across the country to eliminate production, marketing and use of the environmental hazard.

As part of the drive, monitoring teams of the ministry are visiting markets and shopping malls in the capital and districts.

A team of the ministry headed by Tapan Kumar Biswas, an additional secretary and chief of the monitoring committee, today visited Hatirpool and Palashi markets in the capital, a ministry press release said.

The team inspected the present status of using polythene bags in shopping outlets and conducted campaign to encourage traders and people to use jute and fabric bags.

The government launched the anti-polythene drive across the country from November 3, 2024 and since than a total of 216 mobile court drives were conducted nationwide, fining 438 entities of Taka 28.73 lakh and seizing about 59,959 kilogram polythene.

Talking with journalists after the visit Tapan Biswas said, number of mobile courts has been increased to enforce the government decision to eradicate polythene shopping bag from the country.

He urged the people to use environment friendly bags and carry their own reusable bags when they come for shopping.

Members of the law enforcement agencies and representatives from the market committees were present during the drive.