Rajbari DC bats for sustainable building materials

RAJBARI, Oct 28: Rajbari Deputy Commissioner (DC) Afroza Parvin has urged brick kiln owners to adopt alternative building materials, including concrete blocks, hollow blocks and ferrocement to curb environmental pollution, protect agricultural land and promote sustainable construction.

She made the call on Tuesday evening at an exchange meeting chaired by her with brick kiln owners at the DC office conference room.

Afroza Parvin said fertile topsoil, which takes hundreds of years to form, is being excavated from agricultural land for brick production, reducing soil fertility and crop productivity. She warned that continued degradation could undermine future agricultural production.

She called for wider use of alternative construction materials to protect the environment and farmland, as well as collective efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Participants encouraged brick kiln owners to adopt concrete blocks, hollow blocks and ferrocement as alternatives to conventional fired bricks. Speakers said wider use of modern construction technologies could help conserve fertile topsoil, reduce pollution and promote sustainable building practices.

They also urged collective action to protect public health and the environment for future generations.
Other speakers included Additional DC (General) Md Tariful Hasan, Additional District Magistrate Uchhen May, District Department of Environment Assistant Director Parvez Ahmed, and Assistant Commissioner of the DC office SM Raihanul Islam.

Among those attending were Md Akhtaruzzaman, President of the District Brick Kiln Owners’ Association; Abul Kashem Mahajan, General Secretary; and Ajibor Sardar, Vice-President, along with brick kiln owners from across the district.