It is high time the government took necessary steps to convert all environmentally-hazardous brick kilns of the country into environment-friendly ones. Even though recently a committee of the Environment and Forest Ministry had recommended that the Department of Environment convert 70% of our brick kilns by October, it is up to the government to ensure that the deadline for the conversion is not extended yet again.
The brick-making industry and the transport system are two major factors behind the air pollution of our country, especially in urban areas. Most of these brick kilns are based on a 150-year-old technology that causes the emission of very large amounts of carbon monoxide and other pollutants. These gases greatly harm the environment and cause serious health problems, including heart diseases and respiratory congestions.
Technologies like Zigzag and Hybrid Hoffman Kiln are more energy-efficient, clean, and eco-friendly. Even though introducing these new technologies can be expensive and complicated, it is high time this issue is given more importance, as brick kilns are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in our country.
Converting the brick kilns into eco-friendly ones cannot stop air pollution completely, but it can most certainly make our environment less polluted, and reduce the health risks of the people. Our government should follow the footsteps of the other developing countries that use environment-friendly methods in their brick kilns, and make sure the emissions of the brick kilns do not worsen our already polluted environment.