Charcoal factories pose threat to environment in Mirzapur

Charcoal factories, set up at places close to the Mirzapur forest, are posing threat to the environment.
These factories have been established by the side of sal-gojari forest and on arable land in Mirzapur forest area. Hundreds of mounds of timber are being burnt daily for producing the charcoal.
 There are now three to four charcoal producing factories running at Asgana and Palerteki villages in the upazila.  At least 20 hearth kilns are there using 600-700 mounds of timber over a period of two weeks to bring out the charcoal.
The timber is burnt in the kilns for a few days. Then the charcoal is taken out of the kilns. One sack of charcoal is being sold at Tk350-450. Such coal is being used by gold smiths for molding and making ornaments, blacksmiths for machetes and farming tools and restaurants for barbecue.
 Local people alleged that huge valuable timbers of forest land are being burnt illegally in the charcoal producing factories. Some influential people with ruling party clout have established the factories,they said adding these factories have no permitted of the environment department.
The factories are causing damage to the environment. The children are suffering from respiratory problem and other diseases caused by the black smoke spewing from the factories.  However, the forest department officials at Kuripara denied the allegations saying the factories are established on private land and that there is no underhand dealing.
Masum Ahmed, UNO of Mirzapur Upazila, said establishment of charcoal factories without government permission is unfortunate. The factories will be sealed off and the owners will be punished after proper inquiry, he said.

 

Charcoal factories pose threat to environment in Mirzapur

Charcoal factories, set up at places close to the Mirzapur forest, are posing threat to the environment. These factories have been established by the side of sal-gojari forest and on arable land in Mirzapur forest area. Hundreds of mounds of timber are being burnt daily for producing the charcoal. There are now three to four charcoal producing factories running at Asgana and Palerteki villages in the upazila. At least 20 hearth kilns are there using 600-700 mounds of timber over a period of two weeks to bring out the charcoal. The timber is burnt in the kilns for a few days. Then the charcoal is taken out of the kilns. One sack of charcoal is being sold at Tk350-450. Such coal is being used by gold smiths for molding and making ornaments, blacksmiths for machetes and farming tools and restaurants for barbecue. Local people alleged that huge valuable timbers of forest land are being burnt illegally in the charcoal producing factories. Some influential people with ruling party clout have established the factories,they said adding these factories have no permitted of the environment department. The factories are causing damage to the environment. The children are suffering from respiratory problem and other diseases caused by the black smoke spewing from the factories. However, the forest department officials at Kuripara denied the allegations saying the factories are established on private land and that there is no underhand dealing. Masum Ahmed, UNO of Mirzapur Upazila, said establishment of charcoal factories without government permission is unfortunate. The factories will be sealed off and the owners will be punished after proper inquiry, he said.