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Brick kiln continues operation ignoring protest, DoE order

AMINUL ISLAM, Mymensingh
Nothing could stop the operation of a brick kiln that has been flouting environmental laws, causing air pollution and affectingfarmlandsforovertwo years.
Despite protest by locals and order of Department of Environment (DoE) to shut down 'Rehan Bricks', the owner of the brick field continued to burn bricks at Rudragram village in TOshal upazila.
The kiln started its operation in 2010 without taking clearance certificate from the authorities, said Md Abdul Azim, assistant director at DoE in the district.
On March 14 this year, the authorities served a notice on owner Abu Rehan to stop the operation of the kiln as it is located within one kilometre of human habitation and educational institutions, he added.
As per the rule, brick kilns should not be set up within three kilometres of any human habitation, house, road and highway or crop field.
Earlier on January 2, the owner submitted an application to the department seeking certificate while the authorities received another application from locals on January 25 urging to shut the kiln, said Azim.
However, while visiting the spot in March, the DoE officer saw the kiln still burning bricks. He said the authorities would take necessary steps against people responsible for the offence.
Meanwhile, Rehan claimed that local administration gave him permission to run the brick field. However, he could not mention any specific body or official that issued it.
Terming the brick field environment friendly, he said it was causing less harm to people and farmland than any other kilns in the area.
Makbul Hossain, a farmer of Bhati Daspara village, said the kiln had been posing serious environmental threat to locals and affecting soil fertility and plantations since its inception.
Production of fruits and vegetables, including mango and jackfruit, has
sharply fallen in the areas due to burning of bricks at the kiln, he added.
Local social organisations, such as Pachlar Char Samaj Kalyan Samity, Swapnabaz Samity and Avijatrik lodged several complaints with the owners of the brick kiln, but it all went unheeded.
Golam Mustafa, director of Golapkuri Kindergarten, said that the brick field was posing serious health hazard to the students as the school is located only a few yards off the kiln.
"We informed the authorities including local lawmaker Reza AU, UNO Md Mizanur Rahman and upazila agriculture officer about the matter, but to no effect," he added.
Contacted, the UNO said they would take punitive action against those responsible for the matter after visiting the spot.
According to the sources at DoE, more than 30 brick fields have been set up in the upazila. Of those, 20 are burning firewood, violating rules and polluting environment.