Within 100-200 yards of the UNO office in Feni, bricks are being made by burning the soil of the cropland. Besides, 56 of the 103 brick kilns installed in different places of the six upazilas of the district are illegal. Fertile soil on the surface of the crop land goes to these brick kilns, on the other hand, wood is being burned as fuel by deforestation. Meanwhile, the brick kilns do not obey any rules and policies of the government, and the important elements of the environment, soil, air, wood, and weight level are constantly being destroyed. There are complaints that under the shelter of some political and influential people, the fertile soil of the cropland is being cut and taken to these brick kilns.
Despite the objections of the administration and environmentalists, bricks are being made by burning cropland soil and forest wood in brick kilns. Deforestation of agricultural land causes loss of fertility and productivity. Taking soil for brick kilns is causing damage to the environment. Common people are suffering. The activity of the administration does not stop the cutting of the fertile soil of the cropland. In the last one week, 9 bricklayers were fined Tk 20 lakh by the administration in various places of Feni by mobile court. As per the amended 2019 Act of Brick Making and Kiln Installation Control Act 2013, fines are imposed for violating the Brick Kiln Installation Act. Locals complain that these legal and illegal brick kilns are not only destroying the fertile soil but also causing permanent damage to the air, soil, and nature. They claim that the owners are continuing to manage these brick kilns by keeping in touch with the administration in an unwritten agreement. The surrounding plants are dying due to these brick kilns. Cropland is losing its fertility, the environment is becoming unbalanced.
Meanwhile, when asked to know, Daganbhuiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nivedika Chakma said that a few days ago the Honorable Minister of Environment came and gave instructions. In this way, regular operations are being conducted through the mobile courts to prevent soil erosion. Necessary measures are also being taken to stop the illegal kilns.
ARS
