Bangladesh Police plans a specialised environment unit to address rising pollution, deforestation and illegal resource extraction, aiming to strengthen enforcement, protect ecosystems and improve climate resilience nationwide.
Bangladesh Police is preparing to formally propose the creation of a specialised “environment police” unit to combat rising environmental crimes across the country, officials said, as concerns grow over pollution, deforestation and illegal resource extraction.
A senior official at Police Headquarters said the proposal is expected to be presented to the prime minister during the upcoming Police Week.
The initiative was discussed at a high-level meeting on Sunday at Police Headquarters, chaired by the Inspector General of Police. Officials reviewed the growing scale and complexity of environmental offences and the limitations of the existing policing system in addressing them.
The proposed unit would focus on tackling crimes such as river encroachment, industrial pollution, deforestation, hill cutting and illegal extraction of natural resources. Law enforcement officials said these offences have expanded beyond the capacity of conventional policing, making a dedicated unit increasingly necessary.
According to police officials, establishing a specialised force could significantly reduce environmental crimes, ensure proper enforcement of existing laws and help protect the country’s natural resources. They also expect the initiative to contribute to long-term climate resilience and reduce the risk of environmental disasters.
The unit is expected to conduct regular operations, monitor violations of environmental laws, gather intelligence and take swift legal action against offenders.
Experts say the move is timely, given the rising number of environmental challenges in Bangladesh, including river pollution, illegal hill cutting and wildlife-related crimes. They argue that overstretched law enforcement agencies have struggled to address these issues effectively.
Several countries have already established specialised environmental or ecological police units. Mongolia set up such a force in 2017 to protect biodiversity in the Gobi Desert, while Rwanda and Uganda operate units to tackle pollution, emissions and the protection of wetlands and forests. Sri Lanka enforces laws against illegal waste dumping and deforestation, and Norway has a dedicated agency for environmental crime enforcement.
Advocate Abdur Rashid Chowdhury, a Supreme Court lawyer, told media that forming a specialised unit would be a positive step but stressed that coordinated efforts from all stakeholders and strong political commitment are essential for effective environmental protection.
He noted that Bangladesh already has a solid legal framework, including the Environment Conservation Act and updated rules introduced in 2023. However, the absence of a dedicated enforcement unit has limited proper implementation, resulting in mostly reactive responses rather than preventive action.
Md Ashraful Haque, assistant director for research and planning at the National River Conservation Commission, said a separate police unit could mark a significant advancement in protecting rivers and the environment. He added that cooperation among law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders remains crucial to implement recommendations aimed at preventing river encroachment and pollution.
Committees led by divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners and upazila executive officers are currently working at various administrative levels to address river encroachment and pollution.
Citing a survey by the Ministry of Water Resources, Haque said Bangladesh has 1,415 rivers, more than 800 of which are under threat from encroachment and pollution.
Thousands of illegal structures have occupied rivers and canals, while untreated industrial waste, tannery discharge and sewage are being directly released into water bodies, severely damaging aquatic ecosystems.
Deforestation is another major concern. Data from the Forest Department shows that forest coverage in Bangladesh remains well below international standards and continues to decline due to illegal logging, land grabbing and agricultural expansion. Hill cutting in hilly regions has also increased the risk of landslides, leading to fatalities each year.
Air pollution has reached alarming levels, particularly due to brick kilns. Bangladesh has more than 7,000 kilns, many operating without environmental clearance. The use of low-quality fuel and outdated technology has made them a major source of pollution in urban areas during the dry season.
Illegal extraction of sand and stones has also emerged as a serious environmental threat. Experts say poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods and low levels of education hinder public awareness, making strict law enforcement even more critical.
Although the Environment Conservation Act of 1995 is in place, weak enforcement has allowed many offenders to escape accountability. In this context, policymakers and analysts are increasingly advocating for the establishment of a specialised environmental police unit to ensure stricter enforcement of environmental laws.
Source- BSS
