Bangladesh's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Saturday (February 24, 2024) said that the government would introduce incentive packages to promote the production of environmentally-friendly block bricks. Saber came up with the announcement during a media interaction following a meeting with officials from the Forest Department and the Department of Environment at Feni Circuit House on Saturday. Brick kiln owners can be benefited from these incentives as part of the government's efforts to transition away from air-polluting and land-damaging brick kilns, he said, emphasising the need for the designation of specific areas for waste recycling by municipalities. The minister urged officials to take proactive measures to combat environmental pollution, including the prohibition of polythene use. Read more: Govt working to promote climate-resilient crops: Saber Hossain He stressed prompt actions in cases where environmental clearance is lacking and urged against delays in issuing such clearances. Moreover, Minister Saber underscored the need for the daily clearance of medical and municipal waste and instructed divisional forest officials to reclaim encroached forest land and initiate afforestation projects in urban and coastal regions. Chaired by Feni District Magistrate Shahina Akter, various officials including BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad, Additional Superintendent of Police Din Mohammad, Additional District Magistrate Abishek Das, Divisional Forest Officer Ruhul Amin, and Feni Department of Environment Deputy Director Showkat Ara Kali, among others were present on the occasion. Following the meeting, Feni Awami League General Secretary and local MP Nizam Uddin Hazari and Feni sadar municipality Mayor Nazrul Islam Swapon Miaji exchanged greetings with the environment minister with floral tributes. Read more: Is There Any Alternative to Brick Kilns?

For centuries, brick kilns, characterised by fiery chimneys and billowing smoke, have played a key role in the construction industry. Despite their contribution in providing essential building materials, their operations entail harmful impacts on human health, biodiversity and environment.  What is a Brick Kiln? A brick kiln is a specialised facility used in the production of bricks, fundamental building blocks for construction. These kilns play a vital role in shaping the urban landscape. The process involves heating clay or other materials in furnaces to create bricks and contributes to the growth of infrastructure. However, the traditional methods employed in brick kilns can have environmental and health consequences, making it imperative to explore sustainable alternatives and technologies. Impacts of Brick Kiln on Health Particulate Matter Emissions Brick kilns pose a major health risk due to the emission of particulate matter, including pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Inhaling these pollutants can irritate the lungs, leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure may contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Read more: 9 illegal brick kilns shut down, fined Tk 47 lakh in Sirajganj Respiratory Issues  Prolonged exposure to emissions from brick kilns can lead to a range of respiratory problems. From workers within the kilns to residents in nearby communities, the inhalation of pollutants can result in asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments. Occupational Health Risks Workers directly involved in brick kiln operations face occupational health risks due to exposure to high temperatures, dust, and pollutants. Adequate safety measures and protective equipment are crucial to mitigating these risks. Cardiovascular Problems  Brick kiln fumes, laden with pollutants, can obstruct arteries, elevate blood pressure, and disturb heart rhythms. These adverse effects heighten the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, underlining the severe cardiovascular risks associated with exposure.  Read more: 4 brick kilns shut down for polluting air in South Keraniganj Skin Problems  Dust and irritants emanating from brick kilns inflict skin torment on workers, causing rashes, itching, and burns. The daily grind leaves exposed skin raw, rendering workers vulnerable and uncomfortable in their work environment.  Cancer  Inhaling brick kiln fumes conceal invisible dangers, harbouring carcinogens that escalate cancer risks over time. Exposed workers face heightened threats of lung, skin, and other cancers, emphasising the risks associated with prolonged exposure.

Thakurgaon’s Raju Hossain’s life has always been a story of struggle with poverty. He had to work in a brick kiln to bear his education expenses. His sacrifice and hard work paid off, as the recently published HSC results gave him and his family a reason to celebrate. Concerns over his future still remain, however. Raju passed with the highest grade, GPA 5, from humanities group. He appeared in the HSC exams from Ranisankail Degree College in Thakurgaon under Dinajpur Education Board. “Though I should be celebrating, I’m actually very concerned right now. I have no idea how I would manage all of the necessary university expenses. I want to study law,” Raju said in a tensed voice. Raju recalled always working and often having only one meal a day at times. Also Read: Ramjan defies poverty with GPA-5 at HSC, but his university education uncertain “I still didn’t lose hope and continued my studies,” the youth said. After his HSC exam, he sought loans from an NGO to pay for his coaching class – for university admission – fees. However, he had to quit taking coaching classes because it was difficult to cover all the expenses with that amount. Raju’s father Anwar Hossain is a van-puller, and his mother Nazma Begum works in a cold storage facility. Because of the family’s financial situation, Raju’s younger sibling had to drop out of school. Raju began working various jobs in the hopes of improving his family’s financial situation. He worked as a van-puller in addition to working in a brick kiln. Read More: HSC Results: Jashore Board secures highest pass rate & Dhaka excels in GPA 5 “My son suffered a lot. I’m overjoyed with his accomplishment. At the same time, I am concerned about how he will continue his studies,” Raju’s mother said. Raju’s teacher, Ranisankail Degree College’s lecturer, Safikur Islam Alam said, as Raju had to work as a day labourer, he was not regular in classes. “We are aware of his hardship. We are proud of him,” he said. The teacher urged the local affluent people to come to Raju’s aid so that the bright student can continue his studies and fulfil his dream of studying law. Read More: Physical constraint couldn’t deter Jashore girl to score GPA 5  Local Union Parishad chairman Abdul Bari said he was not aware of Raju’s case. “I’m delighted to learn this. I will personally assist him with his educational expenses,” he said. Sohel Sultan Zulkar Nain, UNO of Ranisankail, said the upazila administration will help Raju. “Raju has proven that if there’s a will, there’s a way. I will personally help him too.” A total of 10,11, 987 examinees, out of 11,77, 387, passed the 2022 HSC exams under 11 education boards of the country. Read More: GPA system in SSC, HSC under review: Secretary Of them, 1,76,282 students secured the highest grade, GPA 5, this year.

The High Court on Tuesday ordered the Directorate General of the Department of Environment and deputy commissioner of five districts adjacent to Dhaka to submit a list of the closed brick kilns, which were listed as illegal, within two weeks. The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim passed the order after hearing a petition. Earlier, on April 20, the HC asked the deputy commissioners of five districts, Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Manikganj and Gazipur district and Directorate General of DOE to appear before the court today (May 17) for not fully complying with its order to raze  illegal brick kilns in Dhaka and its adjacent districts to check air pollution . Advocate Manzill Murshid stood for the petitioner while Amatul Karim stood for the DOE. Deputy Attorney General Mainul Islam represented the state while Advocate Anik R Haque stood for the brick kiln owners. “After appearing before the court, the five deputy commissioners said they were able to close 95 % brick kilns while DoE director General provide a list of 411 illegal brick kilns in the five district, of them 65% were closed. But actually it is seen that the unauthorised brick kilns are still operating,” said advocate Manzill Murshid. READ: HC issues rule on extending former ACC director Enamul Basir's sentence On January 21, 2019, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a human rights organisation filed a writ petition seeking steps to close the unauthorised brick kilns. On January 13, 2020, the High Court issued nine directives and asked to implement them. Manzill Murshid, said the authorities concerned started to take steps against illegal brick kilns from February last year and after going into operation, the air pollution started to decrease from the country. But nowadays, Dhaka is again identified as the most polluted city, he said. On January 30, a supplementary petition was submitted on behalf of the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh seeking order to close illegal brick kilns. On February 1, the HC summoned the deputy commissioners of five districts and Directorate General of DOE as they failed to comply with the court order. Recently, a journalist in an investigative report said many brick kilns in Savar are still continuing their operation but  the DCs said they had taken steps to stop their operation, said Manzil.

The High Court on Tuesday ordered the authorities concerned to take steps to close down all unauthorised brick kilns in three hill districts (Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati) within seven days. The HC bench of Justice JBM Hasan and Justice Fatema Najib passed the order following a writ petition filed by Environment and Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a human rights organization. The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the ineffectiveness of the respondents in shutting down the unauthorised brick kilns in the three hill districts should not be declared illegal. Apart from it, the HC issued another rule asking the authorities concerned why directives should not be given to take steps against owners of the unlicensed brick kilns under section 4,5,14 and 18 of Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kilns Establishment (Control) Act-2013. READ: HC orders to audit Evaly's assets by a reputed firm Twenty four people including the Secretary to the Environment and Forest Ministry, Director General of Department of Environment  (DoE), DCs of the three hill districts, police supers of the three districts have been made respondentsTwenty-four to the rule. Advocate Manzil Murshid stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state. According to the writ, many brick kilns are operating in the three hill districts without liscence and they use the mud of the hill as raw material. Besides, many trees are being used as firewood.  The report on brick kilns was carried out in the different daily newspapers, it said. READ: Stop taking extra fares on public transport, HC asks BRTA Manzil Murshid also said “No brick kilns are allowed to operate without liscence according to the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kilns Establishment (Control) Act-2013. There is a provision of two years jail for violating the law. Despite it, brick kilns are being established and the local administration is not taking any steps in this regard.”

 

While the entire country has come to a standstill with the suspension of all kinds of activities in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, brick kiln workers in Nabinagar upazila of Brahmanbaria are passing busy time in collecting soil and making bricks.

In a drive in Kandapara area, a mobile court fined four brick kilns Tk 22 lakh and bulldozed over 200 kilns on Sunday for operating without permission.