The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has issued a directive to check pollution from brick kilns, stop the operation of illegal brick kilns and ensure the use of eco-friendly bricks in government projects by 2025.
The orders came in a special meeting on Tuesday with the deputy commissioners of the 64 districts, under the initiative of the ministry.
Instructions were also given to implement a three-year action plan on an urgent basis to stop the use of single-use plastic in 40 upazilas of 12 districts in the coastal region.
Dr Farhina Ahmed, secretary of the ministry, said to ensure food security, the use of agricultural soil at brick kilns and the destruction of arable land must be stopped.
She also called on the deputy commissioners to take legal action against illegal and environment-polluting brick kilns.
The secretary directed the chief of the Department of Environment to take steps to ensure the use of 100% environment-friendly bricks in all government works by 2025, a target set by the government.
In order to involve all the stakeholders in preventing different types of pollution, she instructed the Department of Environment to hold awareness meetings in all districts.
The meeting also decided to strengthen the regular enforcement and mobile court activities of the Department of Environment and district administrations to stop the production and use of plastic bags and the marketing of wrappers, which are banned by the government.
It also decided to take the necessary initiatives to implement the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2021.
The participants requested the authorities update the relevant laws and regulations to solve some of the existing problems.
Khalilur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Brick Kiln Owners Association, highlighted the various problems affecting brick kilns and vowed to comply with all regulations.