Planned brick production needed

There are 40 brick kilns in five villages of Daudpur union parisad of Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj.

The kilns have been set up by filling farmlands and water bodies, according to a number of Prothom Alo reports.

People living in those villages are suffering from various diseases, including respiratory ailments, due to the smokes emanating from the kilns. Besides, the production of rice, vegetables and fruits are being hampered as well.

According to the Brick Making and Brickfield Establishment (Control) Act 2013, brick kilns cannot be set up by filling agricultural fields and water reservoirs.

On the other hand, high court has banned construction of brick kilns by filling or occupying rivers and river banks around Dhaka.

Such laws and restrictions, however, are not of any use as 37 brick kilns have already been set up in the river Shitalakkhya as of now.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) served a notice on the owners of nine brick fields around the river four months ago, but none has replied to the notice till date.

The district administration and the environment department were also informed, but they took no steps as well.

Now the question is why they did not take any actions. It is not possible to remain silent if they do not have any ties with the owners of the brick kilns. It is high time the matter is investigated and stern actions should be taken against those who violated the rules.

Not only in these five villages of Rupganj, brick kilns have been built in many places across the country.

Everyday new infrastructures are being built across the country and bricks are integral part of this process.

The way bricks are made in the kilns, it has adverse effects on the environment and public health.

Fuel-efficient and environment-friendly brick kilns such as hybrid Hoffman, vertical shaft, jig jag can be set up instead.

Setting up such kilns is quite expensive. In this case, the government may lend the owners some money on simple terms.

We need bricks to keep pace with the changes, but we need to save the environment as well. All entities concerned, including the environment department, will have to take steps to develop a planned brick production system.