Illegal brickfields pollute environment in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Jan 9: Emission of smoke along with huge quantity toxic elements from illegal brick kilns here has been causing serious environment pollution, damaging crops and fruits and creating health hazards for a long time.
The brick kilns emit toxic fumes containing suspended particulate matters rich in carbon particles, which are also mixed with high concentration of carbon monoxides and oxides of sulphur that are harmful to the ecological balance and also to human body, especially to eyes, lungs and throat, said environment specialists.
While talking with The Daily Observer, farmers of different areas at Puthia Upazila alleged that the paddy production has been reduced as the brick kilns set up near the paddy fields is emitting toxic smoke. Besides, the farmers are sometimes compelled to sell the topsoil of their croplands to the brick kiln owners, which is damaging the soil fertility, they added.
Every year the brick kiln owners take away topsoil from the croplands to make bricks at their kilns. If this malpractice continues, the food security of the upazila will be at stake.  
At least 19 brick kilns at different areas of the upazila are running their business without licence from different competent authorities like the Environment Department.
The brick kiln owners have managed the local political leaders and administration to carry on their illegal business. As a result, the administration doesn't take any legal steps against them.
According to an environmental law, no brick kiln can be set up near any land which gives three or two crops in a year.
According to another law, no brick kiln can be set up within half kilometre area of any Local Government Engineering Department (LGRD) road.
But, most of the brick kilns here have been set up before the declaration of the Environment Law 2013 and are not following the rules.
Now, those kilns are hampering the production of fruit-bearing trees, especially jackfruit and mango and different crops across the district.
General Secretary of Upazila Brick Kilns Samity Belal Hossain said if the brick kilns cannot produce bricks, the construction sector will suffer setback in the region.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Al Mamun said, "Many brick kilns in the upazila are running with writ from the High Court and with permission from the Environment Department. But they do not have permission from the upazila administration."
Professor Dr. Azizul Islam of the Department of Environment Science Institute of Rajshahi University said crop farming decreases on the lands every year which are located adjacent to brick kilns.
Moreover, production of fruit-bearing trees, especially jackfruit and mango has declined drastically since the brick kilns have been running in the district for a long time, he added.