The Department of Environment (DoE) on Tuesday fined Afil Paper Mills Limited, a sister concern of Akij Group, Tk 2.1 million for polluting the Meghna at Gazaria upazila in Munshiganj district.

DoE Director (Enforcement) Munir Chowdhury handed down the penalty for violating the environment laws, polluting the river, illegally increasing its production capacity and its faults in the effluent treatment operations.

The DoE in a statement said the paper mill was also ordered to remove all faults on an emergency basis and comply with the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Rules, 1997.

The environment watchdog on different occasions since 2010 examined the sample of the factory-released liquid filth in its laboratory and found evidence of pollution.

It said that the toxic liquid wastes released by the factory located at Bara Baluakandi were flowing into the nearby Meghna, which was causing harms to the aquatic life and riverine ecology.

Assistant General Manager of the factory Akmal Haider admitted the responsibility for the pollution and sought clemency.

DoE Director Chowdhury said: “The time for granting clemency to the offenders who cause harms to the river and environment continuously is over many days ago. It’s a serious offence to violate environment laws despite repeated warnings.”

“The factories should install modern technologies to treat toxic liquid waste and always keep the effluent treatment plant (ETP) in operation. Conservation of the environment is a part of the business goodwill,” he added.

bdnews24.com