Kurigram

Unauthorised brick kilns pollute environment

A good number of brick kilns have been operating across the district without permission, polluting the air rampantly, reports UNB. According to sources at the district administration, 26 brick kilns got the green signal from the Environment Department while 17 others have been producing bricks illegally.
Most of the errant brick kilns use chimneys shorter than that of the approved height. Contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rafiqul Islam Selim said the district administration issued licenses to 26 brick kilns while they are examining 17 others. The 17 brick fields will be given licenses if they can submit proper documents and permission from the Environment Department, he added. Expressing his grievances, a brick kiln owner, preferring not to be named, said all the brick fields of the district are illegal as per the government rules and regulations. According to government rules, no brick kiln can be established in cultivable land and within three kilometers of the residential areas. While visiting Bhangamore village in Nageshwari Upazila, this UNB correspondent learned about the adverse impacts of a brick kiln on crops production in the locality. Aiyub Ali, a farmer of the area, said the production of his paddy field experienced a sharp decline as paddy plants were badly damaged due to the smoke released from the brick field. Not only the paddy pants, most fruit trees and wild trees are being affected due to the smoke, the residents alleged. Two other residents of the area—Abul Hossain and Mohammad Ali—said they have been suffering from asthma and respiratory complications triggered by the smoke.

Kurigram

Unauthorised brick kilns pollute environment

A good number of brick kilns have been operating across the district without permission, polluting the air rampantly, reports UNB. According to sources at the district administration, 26 brick kilns got the green signal from the Environment Department while 17 others have been producing bricks illegally. Most of the errant brick kilns use chimneys shorter than that of the approved height. Contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rafiqul Islam Selim said the district administration issued licenses to 26 brick kilns while they are examining 17 others. The 17 brick fields will be given licenses if they can submit proper documents and permission from the Environment Department, he added. Expressing his grievances, a brick kiln owner, preferring not to be named, said all the brick fields of the district are illegal as per the government rules and regulations. According to government rules, no brick kiln can be established in cultivable land and within three kilometers of the residential areas. While visiting Bhangamore village in Nageshwari Upazila, this UNB correspondent learned about the adverse impacts of a brick kiln on crops production in the locality. Aiyub Ali, a farmer of the area, said the production of his paddy field experienced a sharp decline as paddy plants were badly damaged due to the smoke released from the brick field. Not only the paddy pants, most fruit trees and wild trees are being affected due to the smoke, the residents alleged. Two other residents of the areaAbul Hossain and Mohammad Alisaid they have been suffering from asthma and respiratory complications triggered by the smoke.