Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Wednesday warned that the use of wood as fuel in brick kilns will not be allowed under any circumstances, stressing the need to reduce pollution through cleaner technologies rather than shutting down the industry.
The minister made the remarks at a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Bricks Manufacturing Owners Association (BBMOA) at the ministry's conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to discuss the environmental impacts of the brick manufacturing industry, air quality management and measures to control pollution.
Mintoo said bricks remain an essential construction material as viable alternatives are not yet fully available.
"Instead of closing brick kilns, we need to focus on reducing pollution generated by the industry. Cleaner and modern technologies must be introduced to minimise environmental damage," he said.
The minister also expressed concern over the use of topsoil for brick production, saying it is degrading agricultural land and reducing soil fertility.
"The continuous use of topsoil in brick making is shrinking cultivable land. We need to explore alternative sources of raw materials," he added.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said the government would not show any leniency toward illegal brick kilns.
He also stressed the need for a quality standard policy for coal used in brick kilns, noting that coal with high sulphur content significantly contributes to environmental pollution.
A BBMOA delegation, led by its President Firoz Haidar Khan and Secretary General Momin Ullah Khan, along with advisers and vice-presidents from different districts, attended the meeting.
The discussions placed particular emphasis on promoting environmentally sustainable technologies in brick manufacturing to curb pollution.
Association leaders also presented a number of proposals and demands during the meeting. Officials said the government would consider their reasonable recommendations.
The meeting was chaired by Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Fahmida Khan.
Among others, Additional Secretary (Environment Pollution Control and Law Wing) Dr Md Saidur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Md Lutfor Rahman, the department's Additional Director General and other senior ministry officials were present.