Although it is prohibited that no brickfield can be set up without clearance from the Department of Environment (DoE), hundreds of brick kilns are in operation illegally mostly surrounding the capital city.
Thick black smoke mostly from conventional brick kilns pollute the air severely, posing threat to the environment and public health. However, the government is now promoting modern technology for brick kilns like Hybrid Hoffrman and Tunnel technology.
The illegal and conventional brick kilns are the top air polluter in major cities and districts in the country, particularly during the dry seasons when most bricks are made. Development projects and construction work that kicks up dust, smoke from poorly-maintained vehicles that emit excessive harmful particles and toxic gases, and industries are also blamed for the air pollution.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is surrounded by more than 1,200 brick kilns which are identified as major air polluters.
At least 318 illegal brick kilns are still running and polluting the environment in Dhaka and four other surrounding districts. Among these, 112 illegal brick kilns in Dhaka, 123 in Narayanganj, 46 in Gazipur, 26 in Munshiganj and 11 in Manikganj.
DoE’s Director General (DG) Abdul Hamid provided the information at his statement placed before the High Court on Wednesday (February 16).
However, the Dhaka DC told the HC that a total of 128 illegal brick kilns are running in Dhaka after 27 were shut down.
A total of 95 brick kilns out of 218 that had no license were shut down recently through mobile courts, the DoE DG told the HC during a hearing of a writ petition.
Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed the writ petition, seeking the HC’s necessary directives to curb air pollution. Lawyer Manzill Murshid appeared for the writ petitioner.
The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Md Iqbal Kabir Lytton held the hearing. The bench asked the deputy commissioners (DCs) of the five districts to submit the lists of illegal brick kilns through swearing affidavit and fixed February 23 for further hearing on the petition.
On February 1, the HC bench during a hearing on the writ petition had blasted the government authorities concerned for their failure in taking effective measures to curb the air pollution in Dhaka and its surrounding areas despite its repeated directives.
On February 15, in response to another writ petition, another HC bench wanted to know the major sources of air pollution in the country and the government’s action plan to curb it. The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Moniruzzaman directed the government to make a list in this regard.
Bangladesh, especially the capital city Dhaka, has long been grappling with air pollution issues. According to a recent study, the air of Gazipur is the most polluted in the country followed by Dhaka, while Narayanganj has ranked as the third most polluted district.
DoE’s permission is mandatory for brick kilns. According to Section-4 of the Brick Making and Kiln Installation (Control) Act, no brick kiln can be operated without clearance from the DoE. If the rule is violated, a provision of two years imprisonment is there.
However, not only in Dhaka and its surrounding districts, illegal brick kilns are continuing their operation in all the districts in the country.
Such brick factories, some 100, continue their operation in Brahmanbaria. Not only the air, seasonal fruits and crops, including paddy, are being damaged due to the emission from the brick kilns.
Md Nurul Amin, DoE’s deputy director in Brahmanbaria, said that 41 brick kilns were fined Tk 1.65 crore conducting mobile courts and some brickfields were partially demolished in 2021. Separate cases were filed against 29 illegal brick kilns. Last year, five illegal brick kilns owners were also sued.
According to the DoE’s Brahmanbaria office, there are 181 brick kilns in nine upazilas of the district. Of them, 82 have clearance but the rest are operating illegally without a license. However, the actual number of brick kilns is higher than the list.
Most brick kilns in the country operate only six months a year (between November and April) because more than 90 percent are located in low-lying areas which experience flooding during the rainy season. During the six months of operation, Dhaka becomes one of the most polluted cities in the world.
Environmentalists said that if the country’s brick kilns use alternatives or use modern technology to manufacture bricks, the pollution level would drastically fall.
Hybrid Hoffman Kiln (HHK) technology combines the use of green bricks produced by mixing powdered fuel with clay and utilization of waste heat by transferring the heat to an adjacent tunnel.
The tunnel kiln is considered to be the most advanced brick-making technology. The main advantages of tunnel kiln technology lie in its ability to fire a wide variety of clay products. Making bricks using the methods requires less coal or wood, hence less pollution.