Law-Enforcement Challenges, Responses and Collaborations Concerning Environmental Crimes and Harms in Bangladesh

Abstract

As Kailemia observes, “environmental crimes are an area of increasing concern, not only because of [their] globalized nature” but because these crimes have “impacts beyond the capacity of criminal justice systems of most states to comprehend or address.” How then can criminal justice agencies, particularly in the global south, respond to national and transnational environmental challenges? This paper takes the case of Bangladesh and outlines examples of anthropogenic activities that are destroying biodiversity and polluting the environment in this country. It then situates these crimes and harms in the context of environmental law, and the work of police and environment agencies, in Bangladesh. The paper concludes with a consideration of future options for environmental law enforcement in Bangladesh.

Environmental crimes and green criminology in Bangladesh

“…A soft environmental crime, such as behavioral practices of the citizen to harm the environment, is a common phenomenon. Throwing garbage at random than putting it in the dustbin, spoiling tourist spots with plastics, bottles, and so on are a regular occurrence in Bangladesh (Faroque and South, 2020). Although these practices seem "soft," they have a long-term effect.…”

“…In Bangladesh, environmental crimes are increasing routinely despite the fact that several environmental policies and laws are in place (Faroque and South, 2020). Frequent news of hill cutting, illegal installment of brick kilns, river grabbing, encroachment, waste, and chemical dumping, illegal exploitation of forest wood, illegal wildlife hunting, cruelty against wildlife, wildlife smuggling, and illegal fishing demonstrate the several environmental crimes that routinely occur in Bangladesh (Tables 2 and 3).…”

“…It happens due to the several loopholes in the existing environmental governance in Bangladesh (Haque et al, 2015), which are mainly the lack of coordination among stakeholders (Hasan, 2016), insufficiency and ambiguity of legal notes (Akhtaruzzaman and Sajal, 2016; Ashraful, 2014), absence of eco-ethics and environmental knowledge among people and lack of economic incentives on Green Technology (Luby et al, 2015). Moreover, the environmental crime prevention mechanism in the country is very weak (Faroque and South, 2020; Sajal, 2016; Ullah, 2017). Primarily, the absence of an effective mechanism is underpinned by an anthropogenic attitude in the process (Faroque and South, 2020).…”

Analyses Implementation Realities of Legal Frameworks for Sustainable Management of Tanguar Haor Fisheries Resources in Bangladesh

“…Regular and continuous patrolling of law enforcement agencies can ensure better enforcement. Some law enforcement problems in Bangladesh, such as insufficient institutional capacity, lack of coordination, and inadequate and poorly managed protected areas, have been previously identified [47]. In this area, the enforcement was interrupted due to lack of coordination, workforce deficiencies, institutional capacity shortage, lack of community involvement, and the government officials' corruption.…”

Environmental Taxation and Green Economics in Southeast Asia

“…Environmental pollution represents one of the global issues that countries face because of laws and regulations that cannot be controlled by the environment and law [8]. The desired goal can only be achieved by ensuring that all parties are responsible for their actions and committed to social values to generate positive behavior, and this can only be done with a healthy education in families, schools, universities, and all bodies and institutions, as well as organizations [40].…”