In Kurigram's Nageshwari, an influential group has been doing a booming business of illegal brick kilns, damaging the environment. Brick kiln activities are going on under the nose of the administration without any clearance and necessary approval from the Department of Environment. Despite occasional raids by the administration and fines, they are continuing their activities again.
As a result, the surrounding environment is being destroyed by the smoke from the brick kilns. The smoke from the kilns is destroying the crop fields. According to the information, out of a total of 18 brick kilns in the upazila, 13 are continuing their activities without clearance and necessary approval from the Department of Environment. On-site investigation has shown that at least eight of these illegal brick kilns have been built in the middle of cropland, two are very close to educational institutions, and three are in populated areas. Most of these kilns have been operating for more than a decade without any modern or environmentally friendly technology.
There are allegations that the topsoil of cropland is being indiscriminately cut down in these kilns to make bricks. Along with coal, wood from various species of trees is being used as fuel. As a result, the environment is being severely damaged, air pollution is increasing, and the health and biodiversity of the local people are being put at risk. Despite the High Court's order, the summons of the district administration, and multiple rounds of mobile court raids, the activities of these brick kilns have not practically stopped.
Locals allege that the mysterious silence and weak supervision of the concerned departments allow the illegal kilns to continue their illegal brick kiln activities day after day under the nose of the administration. This has created strong doubts and anger among the locals about the role and capacity of the administration. The question is, why are the illegal kiln activities not stopped despite fines?
It is worth noting that Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan recently announced a policy decision to ban old and environmentally destructive brick kilns and make modern environmentally friendly technology mandatory to prevent air pollution. According to the decision of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the license or approval of new brick kilns is currently closed. The relevant law is the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2019 (Amendment).
In this regard, Upazila Executive Officer Sharmin Jahan Luna said that necessary action will be taken against illegal brick kilns as per the instructions of the district administration. Assistant Director of the District Environment Department Rezaul Karim said that a total of 395,000 taka has already been fined against 7 illegal brick kilns during the drive.
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