Nearly one month after media reports highlighted environmental violations, authorities conducted a limited operation against illegal brick kilns at Charfesson upazila of Bhola district, where 17 out of 33 kilns are reportedly operating without licenses.
According to Department of Environment, a total of 17 brick kilns in the upazila lack legal approval. Despite years of allegations that these illegal kilns burn forest wood and operate in violation of environmental regulations, residents claim that enforcement actions have remained weak and inconsistent.
Local sources said brick kiln operations typically begin in November and continue until April each year. Although occasional raids are carried out near the end of the season, they often result in small fines, allowing kiln owners to continue operations.
This, residents allege, discourages compliance and leads to further expansion of illegal kilns, resulting in revenue loss for the government.
Many of these kilns are reportedly located in densely populated areas, erosion-prone riverbanks, near educational institutions or on agricultural land; areas where such industrial activity is generally restricted.
Following media coverage on illegal brick kilns burning forest wood and posing public health risks, a joint operation was finally conducted on Thursday (April 9) by Department of Environment and the district administration.
Out of the 17 illegal kilns, two were targeted during the drive.
During the operation, authorities extinguished fires and demolished drum chimneys at Navana Brick Kiln at Dularhat and Enam Bricks at Abdullahpur.
The owner of Navana Brick Kiln was also fined 100,000 taka by a mobile court led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Mohammad Azam.
However, before the operation, journalists reportedly tried to contact the Assistant Director of Bhola Department of Environment, Tota Miah, but he avoided confirming the raid.
He later said that the magistrate had instructed not to inform media about the operation.
He also denied allegations that the raid was conducted after the kilns had cooled down and were ready for sale.
In response, Executive Magistrate Mohammad Azam denied restricting journalists from the operation, stating that he had not issued any such instruction.
He added that when journalists contacted him, he informed them that the operation had already been completed.
SF/SH
