Five brick kiln owners in Lama upazila of Bandarban district were fined a total of Tk350,000 for cutting hills and endangering the environment. The penalties were imposed during inspections of brick kilns in different locations of the Raimyakhola area from Saturday afternoon to evening. Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md Moin Uddin held a mobile court and issued the fines, according to a report published on August 15.

Sources said nearly 30 brick kilns had been established in various places in Faitong union without any permission. Their owners were allegedly cutting nearby hills and taking soil for brick production. The report identified this activity as causing environmental harm.

The mobile court fined the owners of DBM, MMB, MBI, UBM and ABC brick kilns. Md Moin Uddin said action would be taken in the future against anyone who damages the environment by establishing illegal brick kilns.