Brick kilns eat up croplands in Khagrachhari

At least 47 brick factories are functioning illegally in hill district Khagrachhar posing threat to forest and croplands.

Local sources said owners of the brickkilns have been running the business for last several years without clearance certificates from the Department of Environment (DoE).

Recently this correspondent visited Khagrachhari Sadar, Matiranga, Mahalchhari, Manikchhari , Dighinala, Panchhauri, Ramgar, Guimara and Laxmichhari and found the bricklins use firewood as fuel .

The authorities have no any action in this regard, said locals.

Swadesh Priti Chakma, headman of 255 No Maischhari of Mahalchhari upazila is running an illegal brickfiled cutting forest. He is also in-charge of reserve forest committee.

When asked, Swadesh Priti said he had permission from Forest Department. The department helped him to run the business.

Former UP Chairman Kiron Chakma in Mahalchhari has been running his brick factory for 14 years without permission from the DoE and local administration, posing a serious threat to the forests, croplands and public health.

Satheyay Marma, another brickfiled business man said they have no problem running the business without licence.

Locals alleged the illegal brick fields have been continuously burning firewood and tyres instead of the specific standard of coal for brick production. They are also using chimneys which are in poor condition which pollutes the environment. A vast stretch of arable lands of the hill district has already lost fertility due to close being in close proximity to the brickfields, declining their production capacity thus causing economic loss to farmers.

Moreover, the owners of these illegal brick factories are razing hills in full swing for necessary raw materials which is contributing to ecological damage.

When asked, another two owners of brick factories in Khagrachhari how they operated their business without permission from the authorities concerned.

They reacted if the bricklin owners in the hill district want to follow the rules of the DoE, they cannot run the business.

Bizitala Forest Range Officer Akteruzzaman said there is no scope setting up saw machine in 10 kilometres of reserve forestland area.

When contacted, Mahalchhari UNO Zobaida Akter said she would take action in this regard after 20th July as now she is busy with govt housing development projects.