At least 25 brick factories continue to operate in Bogramunicipality area defying the law and posing serious threats to the environment and public health.
The local administration and the Department of Environment (DoE) are yet to take any visible measure against them although the law prohibits setting up of brick kilns inside municipal areas, said sources at Brick Manufacturing Owners Association.
Several months back, three brick factories were evicted during a drive of the DoE and brick field owners led by the deputy commissioner. Since then, not a single brick kiln in the municipality area has been removed.The reason is shrouded in mystery.
Locals, declining to be identified, alleged that the brick field owners are bribing the administration and the DoE officials to continue their Illegal business, a claim rejected by the administration and DoE.
Owners of the brick kilns are preparing to produce bricks for the next season saying that a writ petition is currently being heard by the High Court.
NazmulHasanShuvo, manager of SNB brick factory in MadlaHelenchapara of Bogura municipal area, said they will stop operation if they do not get permission. He also turned down the claims about bribing government officials.
AtiqurRahmanBadal, the general secretary of the district’s brick manufacturing association, and FuaraKhatun, the UpazilaNirbahi Officer of Shajahanpur, could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.
DoE Inspector MaqbulHossain said there had been a hearing at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change over brick factories in municipal area. “But no order has been issued,” he said. “We’ll implement the decisions taken by the ministry.”
Hossain pointed out that the lack of manpower is preventing them from properly monitoring the areas. “That’s why illegal brick fields continue to operate,” he said.
