ARH Brick Field – located in Patiya Upazila of Chattogram – is burning agricultural soil within the locality without obtaining license and environmental clearance.
It should be noted that there is no provision to set up a brick kiln within one kilometer of any locality, commercial areas, educational institutions, and hospitals, even if an entity secures license or clearance.
However, this brick kiln has been built a few metres away from a residential area and school, where the illegal establishment is using forest wood and agricultural land soil.
Commenting on the matter, environmentalist and former professor Idris Ali said, “Due to brick kilns, the local environment and surrounding areas are facing multi-dimensional damage. Cropping of topsoil causes loss of fertility of the land, whereas it takes 20 to 25 years for the top soil of the land to develop.
“Deforestation of green forests through wood burning is causing temperature rise, drought and desertification. These illegal brick kilns are one of the reasons for rising temperatures.”
Ferdous Anwar, Deputy Director of Department of Environment’s Chattogram district unit, said, “We did not give any permission to operate brick kilns in Patiya Upazila. The brick kiln in Hulain of Pachuria area is on the list of illegal kilns.
“However, if the topsoil of the agricultural land is being cropped, it is the upazila nirbahi officer’s (UNO) duty to stop that. We cannot do anything in this regard.”
Patiya UNO Alauddin Bhuiyan Johnny said, “We have conducted a drive against the brick kiln in February. The brick kiln was fined Tk 1 lakh for not having environmental clearance and license and for burning agricultural land soil. We will conduct another inspection there.”
According to district administration sources, a license is issued against application along with environmental clearance and other documents. ARH Brick Field has not applied for a licence.
The owner was asked several times to appear with the necessary documents, but they are yet to respond. Bricks are being manufactured and sold there without a license.
According to the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kilns Establishment (Control) Act 2013, “No person shall set up a brick kiln and manufacture bricks without obtaining a license from the deputy commissioner of the district.
“No person shall cut or collect soil from agricultural land or hills for the purpose of making bricks and use it as raw material.”
The law also states that no person will use any firewood as fuel for burning bricks in a brick kiln.
Also whether or not licensed – no person shall set up any brick kiln within at least one kilometer distance from any residential, reserved or commercial areas, public or privately owned forests, sanctuaries, gardens or wetlands, agricultural land, special establishment, railway, educational institution, hospital and clinic, research institute, or any similar place or institution.
However, the ARH Brick Field is located at a distance of a few meters from the locality and school. On February 13, when a drive was conducted there by the local administration, they found topsoil was being used at the brick kiln.
The brick kiln authority could not explain from where they brought the soil.
Responding to a query, alleged owner of the brick kiln Suman told The Business Post, “You have the wrong information. We are not operating without license and clearance. Besides, I am not the owner here.”
Meanwhile, locals claimed that there is a sawmill named Janata Sawmill a few yards away from the brick kiln, which is involved in illegal felling of forest trees and illegal timber smuggling. Its owner is Chowdhury Hasan Mahmud Akbari.
From that sawmill, wood is secretly being taken for burning in brick kilns. The brick kiln is continuing illegal activities under the influence of a newspaper.
Chowdhury Hasan Mahmud Akbari could not be reached on phone for a comment on the matter despite several attempts.
Turjoy, the sawmill manager, said, “I cannot tell you any details.”
He referred this correspondent to another person who said, “What is your problem? We are running this brick kiln because we have arrangements with the administration.” This person did not reveal his name.
When asked how the brick kiln is running next to the locality and school, he said that the kiln has been running since before the construction of the school.
