Illegal brick kilns threaten health, farmland at Gurudaspur

GURUDASPUR , NATORE, Nov 13: Most brick kilns in Gurudaspur Upazila of Natore are operating without environmental clearance and the necessary government approvals. Of the 11 brick kilns in the upazila, only two have licences, while none has clearance from the Department of Environment (DoE).

Located in residential and densely populated areas, the kilns are polluting the environment with black smoke, posing serious threats to public health, agricultural land and biodiversity. There are also allegations that some kilns burn wood instead of coal and use topsoil from triple-crop farmland to manufacture bricks.

During a field visit, this correspondent found that several kilns across the upazila have relatively low chimneys, allowing smoke to spread over nearby settlements and agricultural fields. Local residents said children, elderly people and those suffering from respiratory illnesses were particularly vulnerable to the pollution. Farmers also complained that crop production on land surrounding the kilns was being affected.

Under the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013, and its subsequent amendments, restrictions have been imposed on setting up and operating brick kilns near agricultural land, forests and residential areas without meeting specified conditions. The law also restricts the use of wood as fuel and the collection of soil from agricultural land, rivers, canals, ponds and wetlands.

According to the upazila agriculture office, around 120 hectares of triple-crop farmland were lost in Gurudaspur last year due to pond excavation. The land was previously used to grow paddy, jute, wheat, mustard and various vegetables.

An investigation found that there are 11 brick kilns in the Gurudaspur municipality and several adjoining unions. According to sources concerned, only two have licences.

Five kilns are located in residential areas. These are Messrs MBP Bricks, owned by Mosharraf Hossain; AKB Bricks, owned by Abdus Salam Sabuj; MDR Bricks, owned by Johurul Sonar; MDS Bricks, owned by Jahangir Sonar; and AMB Bricks, owned by Amzad and Mofiz. All five are in Chanchkoir.

The other kilns are HBB Bricks, owned by Azahar Pramanik; HRB Bricks, owned by Azahar Balu; HKB Bricks, owned by Kader Haji; and MSB Bricks, owned by Majnu Sardar, all in Sahapur. MDIP Bricks, owned by Zahidul Islam, is located in Hajir Hat, while RRB Bricks, owned by Rezaul Hasan Rana, is in Chandrapur.

Locals alleged that several of these kilns had been established on or near triple-crop agricultural land and in densely populated areas.

Mosharraf Hossain, President of the Upazila Brick Kiln Owners' Association, said the kilns had VAT, income tax, trade, Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and Fire Service licences.

However, he acknowledged that none had environmental clearance from the DoE, while only two had brick kiln licences. He said owners would need prior notice if the kilns were to be shut down gradually.

Meanwhile, Rezaul Hasan Rana, owner of RRB Bricks, and Zahidul Islam, owner of MDIP Bricks, claimed that they were operating their kilns in compliance with regulations and had the necessary environmental clearance. They said there were no problems with their operations.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fahmida Afroz said specific laws govern brick kiln operations. Action would be taken in accordance with the rules against kilns operating without environmental clearance or the required licences.