Authorities say the factory was operating without mandatory environmental clearance, prompting immediate enforcement action as officials begin a detailed investigation into potential environmental and public health violations.
A joint operation by the Barguna District Administration and the Department of Environment (DoE), the Bangladesh government’s environmental regulator, has shut down an illegal lead-extraction factory in the Barguna BSCIC industrial estate following reports of severe environmental pollution.
The operation, conducted on Sunday, July 12, 2026, targeted a facility that had been operating without environmental clearance or mandatory government authorization. Authorities imposed a fine of BDT 1.5 lakh on the factory for the hazardous practice of smelting used batteries, which released toxic fumes and chemical waste into the surrounding area.
The crackdown came just one day after reports surfaced regarding the illegal activities within the industrial zone. Locals had long complained that the factory’s operations were not only violating environmental laws but also posing a significant threat to public health through the emission of hazardous pollutants.
The operation was led by Barguna Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shaon Majumder Sumon and Hayat Mahmud Rakib, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment in Barguna.
“The factory lacked the necessary environmental clearance,” confirmed Hayat Mahmud Rakib, noting that while the operators claimed to have applied for the permit, their current activities remained illegal.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shaon Majumder Sumon stated that the fine was an immediate measure to halt the pollution. “This was an initial action through a mobile court,” he said. “We are currently conducting a detailed investigation, and further legal action will be taken based on our findings.”
The swift intervention in Barguna serves as a critical warning to similar illicit operations as authorities ramp up efforts to protect public health and environmental safety.
