There is no debate about the environmental pollution of brick kilns although confusion about the number of illegal brick kilns all over the country.

Many organisations said the number of illegal brick kilns is around 4,500 and many said the number is at least 7,000 to 8,000 across the country.

After taking charge, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury directed the authorities concerned to identify illegal brick kilns across the country and destroy unlicensed brick kilns. However, environmentalists think the implementation of this direction is a big challenge.  

It is known that, a section of influential people taking various types of extortion from these illegal brick kilns. Many government offices alongside local public representatives are taking extortion regularly from these brick kilns in the name of various functions. In this situation, concerned people expressed their apprehension about the implementation of the direction of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister.

There is serious environmental pollution by the black smoke of brick kilns as coal and wood are burnt at brick kilns. Illegal brick kilns are being established lack of accountability. The administration is responsible for environmental certificates after identifying these brick kilns. Unfortunately, the number of illegal brick kilns is increasing every year due to the absence of government monitoring.  

On the other hand, the expansion of block brick, which is being used as an alternative to traditional brick, is hindered despite huge demand due to the syndicate of illegal brick owners.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) said, “We call brick is “necessary evil”. Burnt bricks are not being used in the developed world except Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.”  

Welcoming the decision of the new Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, she said notices will have to serve to the owners of the brick kilns not to burn brick after February to prevent environmental pollution. If they don’t obey the notice, the authority should go for action. At the same time, Rizwana Hasan emphasized to use of environment-friendly block bricks.

According to the Department of Environment (DoE), currently, 7,086 brick kilns are in operation all over the country. Of these, 4,505 brick kilns have no license. Around 13 crore metric tonnes of topsoil are used in these brick kilns. As a result, agricultural production is being hampered and residents are at health risk. 

Sources at the DoE said a total of 386 mobile courts had been conducted against the brick kilns from July 2022 to June 2023. It also collected Tk 18.54 crore fine from these brick kilns. Department of Environment demolished and stopped operation of 95 brick kilns. A total of 826 cases were registered during the drive. 

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury announced a 100-day programme to tackle environmental pollution. As part of the programme, he announced to demolition of 500 illegal brick kilns in Dhaka and adjacent areas.  

Contacted, Saber Hossain Chowdhury told Bangladesh Pratidin that they are trying to popularize block bricks instead of traditional burnt bricks. Measures are being taken to stop producing burnt bricks in the next four years.  

Md Ziaul Haque, director at the DoE, said his department is taking the initiative to demolish illegal brick kilns.

DoE Director (Monitoring and Enforcement) Mohammad Masud Hasan Patwary said after the instruction of the new minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, they have already destroyed 200 illegal brick kilns throughout the country.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on February 4, 2024 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.