Brick kilns set up on agri land, flouting rules
Brick kilns have been set up on agricultural land in different areas of Patuakhali and Barguna districts.
According to the Brick Making and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act 2013, nobody can set up a brick kiln on agricultural land, but a section of influential people have done so in the two districts, defying rules.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Golam Faruque set up a brick kiln, named M/s South Brick covering eight acres of agricultural land at Khailyan village beside the Patuakhali-Kukata road under Amtali upazila of Barguna district in 2014.
Abu Hanif, a local farmer, said the brick kiln owner also closed a canal which was a source of water for cultivation. Crops on land adjacent to the brick kiln are being badly affected, he added.
In Patuakhali Sadar upazila, another brick kiln was set up covering five acres of land at Dharandee village. "I set up the kiln here as the site is beside the river, which is convenient for transportation. I leased the land from local farmers," said Quayyum Ahmed, owner of the kiln.
Abdus Salam, chairman of Kamlapur Union Parishad under the upazila, has also set up a brick kiln occupying agricultural land.
Lincon Bayen, Barisal district coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA), said many people are setting up brick kilns, violating the existing law and also polluting the environment. Local administration should take immediate steps to keep the environment free from pollution, he added.
Md Mizanur Rahman, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Amtali upazila in Barguna district, said, "I have nothing to do about setting up of the brick kiln. Only the deputy commissioner's (DC) office can give permission to set up a kiln."
Contacted, Mir Jahirul Islam, DC of Barguna, said, "We are conducting mobile courts in different areas of the district. We will take steps if anyone violates the law."
Sukumar Roy, director of the Department of Environment in Barisal, said, "We issued environmental certificates for setting up brick kilns, imposing certain conditions."