Eco-friendly brickfields

THE news of a brickfield set to produce bricks in a method conducive to environment is heartening. Located in Mirsharai in Chittagong, the mega factory will go into production by the end of the year. Instead of baking bricks in traditional kilns, it will adopt the tunnel kiln-based device. It is eco-friendly and does not spew out noxious smoke that wreaks havoc on the croplands and human habitats in the surrounding areas. This smoke causes scores of diseases to people living in close proximity. The ailments include those related to the lung and the respiratory system.

Of late, a number of green brickfields have entered the scenario. However, they are small in number and alarmingly outpaced by the traditional brick factories. The polluting brick factories still call the shots in the brick-making sector. Officially their production methods are restrained by a lot of government regulations. They include operating far from localities, using chimney with the prescribed height, banning use of certain products in the kiln etc. These provisions are hardly followed by the factory owners. Worse, traditional brickfields have lately started mushrooming in all parts of the country. Most of them choose locations near crop fields or woodlands.

The impact of the harmful smoke and the fine dust from the burnt out substances is understood. There is a regulatory body for keeping surveillance on the brickfields. Given the spree of opening traditional brickfields, the watchdog does not seem to be much effective.

Against this disheartening background, the slow but steady emergence of eco-friendly brickfields provides hope. Increased use of bricks manufactured in these factories by the construction sector can help the new sector survive. This will also ensure people's survival in a healthy environment.

Amirul Islam

Moghbazar, Dhaka