The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE bricks produced at kilns at different places in the country can have a very adverse environmental impact if the kilns are not operated according to the law and regulations. The violators of the law in this regard dangerously harm the environment by accelerating deforestation through use of firewood in the kilns, by not setting up the chimneys at an acceptable height and, thus, creating air pollution for the surrounding areas for humans as well as the vegetation. Recent newspaper reports have been focussing on how brick makers in different districts are defying the law and rules by using firewood instead of coal, not maintaining the chimney height at the recommended level and discharging noxious fumes into the air laden with dust, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, florin and lead. As the chimneys are not at the level where these ought to be as per regulations, the fumes are creating awful breathing problems for the people in the nearby areas. Besides, the fumes and unregulated heat from the furnaces of the kilns are also causing the destruction of vegetation in the places around those.

The law was adopted more than a decade ago that prohibits the making of brick by burning wood. The rules made under it also provide for the mandatory maintenance of safe chimney height and maximum punishment of 10 years rigorous imprisonment and fines for the violators. The existence of legal penalties and the availability of coal from Barapukuria in the country as substitute for wood should have led to adherence to the laws. Why the same are being so flagrantly violated, as the reports suggest, poses a serious question even though the environment degrading effects of the same are more or less known to all. The answers need to be searched in the inexcusable dereliction of duty by the involved district administrations.

The deputy commissioners (DCs) have been entrusted with the task of finding out and punishing the violators of the laws promptly and unsparingly. Even the prospect of regular inspection from DC offices would have probably deterred the brick kiln operators from resorting to such crimes so unconscionably. But the district administrations in most cases appear to have a relationship with the brick makers which allow the latter to be most uncaring in their polluting activities. It is indeed shocking that such complete disregard for the law can take place before the very gaze of the officials who are paid from the public purse to enforce them. The higher authorities in the government need to look into the matter with no loss of time and take action also against the district administrations which fail to act against the violation of the law who cause degradation of the environment.