CHAPAI NAWABGANJ. July 6: Black tip disease of mango has broken out in Shibgonj. Bholahat. Gomostapur and the sadar thana of the district. As a result, a large number of mangoes is being perished, Incurring loss to the growers.

The disease which starts with a yellow spot and it turns deep black at the last stage on the mango skin was identified as the black tip disease by a group of scientists of Mango Research Centre at Chapal Nawabganj in 1995.

According to these scientists. this disease is caused by the smokes coming out of factories and industries. Some mango garden owners said more than 70 per cent mangoes

of the gardens located near . brick-field have already been affected this year.

There are many brick kilns within the distance of five hundred yards from the mango gar-ndes. These are at Rajarampur and Moharajpur in Sadar thana, at Pukuria in Shibagonj thana, at Burimarl In Gomostapur thana and at Bar-Sachhl and Bholahat sadar in holahat thana.

The garden owners have alleged that while giving permission to build brick kilns, no rules were followed. Even after complaining with the survey report made by the scientists of the Mango Research Centre, no measures were taken up by the concerned authority.