166 brick kilns run without licence in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Jan 22: At least 166 brick kilns in several upazilas of the district are running without any licence or legal document, but the authorities concerned have not yet taken any measures against these.
 As a result, the emission of a huge quantity of smoke with toxic elements from different brick kilns across the district is causing serious environment pollution and creating health hazards.
The brick kilns emit toxic fumes containing suspended particulate matters rich in carbon particles and high concentration of carbon monoxides and oxides of sulphur (SOx) that are harmful to the ecological balance and also the human body, especially eye, lungs and throat, said environment specialists.
According to sources at Environment Department here, there are a total of 180 brick kilns in different upazilas across the district. Among them, only 14 brick kilns have legality and licence to run and produce bricks. The remaining 166 brick kilns have no legality or licence to run.   
According to Rajshahi district Brick Kiln Owners' Union, at least 200 brick kilns are running in the district, and all of these are using coal, the union demands.
While talking with The Daily Observer, some farmers at Puthia, Paba, Godagari and Tanore upazilas alleged that production of paddy has been reduced to a great extent as many brick kilns have been set up beside paddy fields, and the fields are being directly affected due to emission of toxic smoke from the kilns.
Besides, field sources said, brick kilns owners sometimes compel the farmers to sell topsoil of their lands to be used in the kilns. But, it is directly affecting soil and crop production, and if it continues, food security of the region will face threat, they added.  
Many brick kilns are running without valid documents or licences from the Department of Environment (DoE) by managing local leaders, police and district administration officials; but the authorities concerned are yet to take any legal steps against them, locals alleged.
Mamun-ur-Rashid, deputy director of Rajshahi district DoE, said that the brick kilns that have no licence should be banned; besides, many "fixed chimni" brick kilns should also be banned.
"We have sent notices to the owners of the brick kilns having no licence or legal document to stop their activities. Necessary measures would be taken against the owners who are running brick kilns without any valid documents, the officer added.  
 Sadrul Islam, president of District Brick Kilns, said that the process of taking valid document or licence is very lengthy and complicated. For this reason, the brick kilns owners show less interest in taking licence or valid document.
Ataul Goni, additional district administrative, said that the district administration gives licence to the brick kiln owners for three years. After three years, they have to take new licence to continue brick kilns. However, necessary legal steps would be taken against the illegal brick kilns,  he added.    
 In this regard, Prof Dr. Azizul Islam of the Department of Environment Science Institute at Rajshahi University said if any brick kiln is set up without any valid document or licence near pastures or orchards, these will be directly affected due to toxic smoke from the kilns, and the production of fruits and other crops will suffer setback. So brick kilns owners should take licence to run brick kilns, he added.