Factory drain sealed after toxic effluent was dumped on farmland in Mymensingh

Authorities in Mymensingh sealed a factory drain after finding untreated toxic waste dumped on farmland, leaving hundreds of acres damaged and raising concerns over weak enforcement of environmental regulations.

A mobile court in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district on Tuesday shut down a drainage pipeline used by a garment factory to discharge hazardous liquid waste into farmland, after long-standing complaints from local residents about environmental damage and crop losses.

The operation was carried out at noon in Bhaluka upazila and was led by Md Iqbal Hossain, assistant commissioner for land and executive magistrate of the mobile court.

According to the Department of Environment, Experience Textile Limited in the Bhoradoba area had for a long time been releasing untreated liquid waste into nearby agricultural land in violation of environmental law. Officials said an on-site inspection confirmed the allegations after complaints from local residents.

Following the complaints, Department of Environment inspector Rukun Mia submitted a written request to the mobile court seeking action against the factory. The application said the factory had violated multiple conditions of its environmental clearance certificate, in breach of Section 6(g) of the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995. In the presence of the mobile court, the factory’s bypass drain or pipeline was later sealed off.

The factory’s general manager, Ekram Hossain, declined to comment on the waste discharge during the drive. He did, however, ask the administration for time to comply with the rules.

Local residents said industrial waste had been flowing directly onto cropland through an illegal drainage system, causing severe damage to the environment and agriculture. Local farmer Ruhul Amin said around 335.74 acres of farmland in Bhoradoba union had been badly affected by the factory’s illegal waste. He said crops could no longer be grown in the area and farmers had suffered financial losses.

Mymensingh Department of Environment deputy director Md Saiful Islam said the factory had an effluent treatment plant, but untreated liquid waste and domestic waste were being discharged outside through a bypass line. He said inspectors found evidence that waste was being released through the pipeline. The line was shut because of the legal violations and further action would be taken in line with regulations.

Assistant commissioner for land Iqbal Hossain said the move would bring some relief to affected farmers.