By Asraful Huq DHAKA, April 20, 2026 (BSS) — Bangladesh Police is set to formally put forward a proposal to the government to establish a dedicated environment police unit to prevent crimes in environment sector.  The proposal with an aim to preserve environment as well is expected to be placed to the Prime Minister during the upcoming Police Week, said an official of the Police Headquarters here.  Sources however, said that Bangladesh Police, in a high-level meeting at the Police Headquarters held on Sunday with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in the chair, discussed various issues, including the formation of the new police unit. The proposed unit aims to address the alarming rise in environmental crimes across the country, including river encroachment, industrial pollution, deforestation, hill cutting, and illegal extraction of natural resources.  Law enforcement officials say the growing scale and complexity of such offenses have outpaced the capacity of conventional policing structures, prompting the need for a dedicated force. Police officials believe that forming such a specialized force in Bangladesh would significantly reduce environmental crimes, ensure proper implementation of existing laws, and help safeguard the country’s natural resources.  In the long run, the initiative is expected to play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and preventing future environmental disasters in the country. The proposed unit would conduct regular drives, monitor environmental violations, gather intelligence, and take swift legal action against offenders. The prospects for a dedicated environment police unit in Bangladesh are considered high due to escalating environmental crises—such as severe river pollution, illegal hill cutting, and wildlife crimes—which the traditional, already overburdened police force cannot adequately address.  Several countries have already established dedicated environment police units or ecological police to combat crimes against nature, such as illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, pollution, and mining.  These specialized units are increasingly popular as nations seek to enforce environmental laws more effectively. Several countries have specialized police units to address environmental issues. Mongolia established an ecological police unit in 2017 to protect biodiversity in the Gobi Desert. Rwanda and Uganda operate environmental police units targeting pollution, emissions, wetlands, and forests.  Sri Lanka enforces laws against illegal dumping and deforestation. Norway uses specialized law enforcement for environmental crimes, though not a global “climate police.” International coordination is supported by INTERPOL. Talking to BSS, Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Abdur Rashid Chowdhury said that establishing a dedicated police unit to deal with environmental issues would be a positive initiative. However, he emphasized the need for collective efforts from all stakeholders, along with strong political commitment, to protect the environment from devastation. Chowdhury also noted that existing legal frameworks, including the Environment Conservation Act and the updated 2023 rules, already provide a solid legal basis.   However, the absence of a specialized enforcement unit has resulted in weak implementation and a largely reactive approach. He further stressed the importance of proper enforcement of relevant laws to maintain environmental and ecological balance. In an interview, Assistant Director (Research & Planning) of the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), Md. Ashraful Haque, told BSS that forming a dedicated police unit would be a step forward in protecting rivers and the environment as well. He added that they need support from law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to implement their recommendations for protecting rivers from encroachment and pollution, saying, “We have no power to enforce laws.” Committees at the divisional, district, and upazila levels have been working under the leadership of divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to protect rivers from encroachment and pollution. Referring to a survey by the Ministry of Water Resources, Haque said that the country has 1,415 rivers. However, a significant number of these—more than 800—are under threat from illegal encroachment and pollution. Thousands of unauthorized structures have occupied rivers and canals, while untreated industrial waste, tannery discharge, and sewage continue to be dumped directly into water bodies, severely degrading aquatic ecosystems. Deforestation is another major concern. According to the Bangladesh Forest Department, forest coverage in Bangladesh remains well below international standards and continues to decline due to illegal logging, land grabbing, and agricultural expansion. Hill cutting, particularly in hilly regions, has further increased the risk of landslides, leading to recurring casualties each year. Air pollution, especially from brick kilns, has reached alarming levels. There are more than 7,000 brick kilns operating across the country, many of which lack environmental clearance.  These kilns often use low-grade fuel and outdated technologies, making them one of the leading contributors to hazardous air quality, particularly in urban areas during the dry season. Illegal sand and stone extraction has also emerged as a serious environmental threat.  Experts point out that poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods, and limited education hinder effective public awareness, making enforcement even more critical.   Although the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 exists, weak implementation has allowed many offenders to evade accountability. In this context, policymakers and analysts are advocating for a dedicated environment police unit to ensure stricter enforcement of environmental laws.  

RAJSHAHI, April 20, 2026 (BSS) - Speakers at a meeting here today observed that there is no alternative to village courts to ensure that poor and marginalized communities can resolve their disputes in less time and at lower cost. They also mentioned that positive publicity can play an important role in further strengthening village courts. These remarks were made at a coordination meeting held today in the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room, organized under the Village Court Activation (Third Phase) Project. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Shahidul Islam addressed the meeting as the chief guest with Deputy Director of Local Government Md. Zakiul Islam in the chair. District Manager of the Village Court Project Md. Lutfar Rahman moderated the discussion. Additional Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Rajshahi, Mita Sarkar: Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Monira Khatun; Deputy Director of the District Information Office Nafeyala Nasrin; Assistant Director of District Ansar-VDP Md. Abdul Motaleb; and District Primary Education Officer AKM Anwar Hossain also spoke on the occassion.  DC Kazi Shahidul Islam said emphasis is being placed on infrastructure development, training, awareness-raising, and regular monitoring to bolster village court activities.  If this service reaches people’s doorsteps, the judicial process will become easier, case backlogs will decrease, and the public will receive swift justice—consistent with the government’s goal of ensuring justice.  Zakiul Islam said minor crimes or disputes occur most frequently in rural areas. Although these fall under the jurisdiction of village courts, many people go to police stations or district courts due to lack of awareness, wasting both time and money. Raising awareness can play a vital role in this regard. The discussions also focused on making village court activities more effective and accessible to the public through exchanges with stakeholders.  Emphasis was placed on increasing awareness at the grassroots, simplifying access to services, and further strengthening the role of village courts in resolving disputes locally. Speakers at the meeting said such coordination meetings will play an important role in establishing justice at the local level and increasing public confidence.