The government will intensify joint mobile court drives to tackle illegal hill cutting, air pollution, and the use of banned polythene, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said yesterday.

Speaking at a discussion titled "Preventing the Use of Banned Polythene in Chattogram and Reducing Plastic Pollution," held at the Secretariat, Rizwana highlighted key measures to address environmental violations.

The discussion brought together officials, environmental experts, and business leaders to strategise solutions to ongoing ecological challenges.

"The district administrations, city corporations, and the Department of Environment [DoE] will collaborate to intensify mobile court operations," the adviser said.

She emphasised the need for immediate action to safeguard the environment, including the installation of warning signboards on hills, increased patrols, and official directives to hill owners to prevent illegal hill cutting.

"Strict legal actions will be taken against those who violate environmental laws," she warned, reiterating the government's zero-tolerance stance on such offences.

The adviser also announced plans to create a list of polythene manufacturers to facilitate legal action.

She stressed the importance of mandatory barcodes on packaging and urged for mobile court operations in markets and supermarkets.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, Environment Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Local Government Division Secretary Md Nazrul Islam, and officials from the Chattogram Development Authority also addressed the meeting.

The speakers underscored the need for stricter law enforcement and increased public awareness to combat environmental degradation. Representatives from government and NGOs, environmental groups, and the media virtually participated in the discussion.