Brick kilns threaten environment, health in south-west region

The environment and biodiversity in the south-western region of the country are facing damage and pollution due to illegal brick kilns in the locality as well as along the riverbanks.

According to local source, there are 15 unlicensed brick kilns in different areas Koyra and Paikgasa upazilas of Khulna that allegedly burn wood to bake bricks. Some of the kilns are located in densely populated areas and even near hospitals and schools.

Locals allege that the administration takes no initiative to demolish them, but only fines them a nominal amount through mobile court drives.

Parts of the Kapotaksha and Shivsa Rivers in Koyra’s Amadi union and Paikgasa’s Chandkhali union have been filled up to build brick kilns.

In Naksha village of Amadi union, three brick kilns have been built occupying about 12 acres of char of

Kapotaksha River.

In a spot visit to the site, this correspondent found logs being unloaded from trucks near the eastern side of the Ekram Bricks. The logs are being taken to the southern side where they are being used as a kiln fuel.

The kiln beside this one, Sohrab Bricks, is also allegedly burning wood to produce bricks.

In Jaigirmahal village of the same union, Amir Bricks has been built in a densely populated area. There are two educational institutes including the Upazila Health Complex nearby.

Due to the constant wood burning, the people of the area are suffering from various lung diseases including breathing problems. Complications are also increasing among hospitalised patients as a result of air pollution.

Besides, a small kiln has also been built next to the Lalua Bagali MM Secondary School of the Bagali Union. The exhaust from the burning logs is putting the students at health risk.

There are some six unlicensed kilns in Chandkhali union including Allahr Dan Bhata, M/s Samina Bricks, BBM Bricks, ASM Bricks, M/s Sardar Bricks and Star Bricks.

In January, the Department of Environment (DoE) fined five brick kilns in a mobile drive. However, for unstated reasons, one of the kilns was exempted from fines for burning wood freely.

Besides, about 10 other brick kilns have been built in several places including the Gadaipur, Puraikati, Raghunathpur, and Kapilmuni areas of Paikgasa. Almost all of the kilns lack district administration license and does not have permission to use wood to bake bricks from the DoE.

Locals allege that the fumes from the kilns are affecting their crops. Humans, animals and plants are being affected by the pollution and suffering immensely.

On condition of anonymity, an owner of a brickyard said the DoE had fined him on a recent drive but did not ask him to shut the kiln down.

Md Abdul Halim Khokon, the owner of Star Bricks in Chandkhali, said, “Sometimes I burn wood to bake bricks since the price of coal is high.”

In response to a question, he said that a writ has been filed in the high court in regard to getting environmental clearance.

Md Ekram Sana, the owner of Ekram Bricks in Amadi union confirmed using wood as fuel in his kiln.

“I am using parts of the river char area for my brickyard. I will move away if there are any river excavation projects. The kiln is built on private recorded land,” he said.

Sohrab Hossain, the owner of Sohrab Bricks Field, said, “We used some wood at first but now we are only using coal.”

In response to the question about encroaching char lands, Sohrab said his kiln is on privately owned leased land.

Koyra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mominur Rahman said they are regularly conducting mobile court drives to fine the illegal kilns.

Assistant Director of Khulna District DoE Md Abu Saeed said fines have been imposed through drives to several kilns in Paikgasa.

“All but two or three kilns in Paikgasa are unlicensed and operating illegally. We will soon launch similar drives in Koyra upazila,” he said.

Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) Khulna Executive Engineer Md Ashraful Alam said if char landmasses rise from the riverbed and the river dies, it falls under the jurisdiction of the local administration and BWDB loses authority over it.

Md Iqbal Hossain, director of Khulna Divisional DoE said, “We will continue regular drives against illegal brick kilns. The unlicensed kilns will be fined.”