RANGPUR, Jan 2: Growth of brickfields on agricultural land in Rangpur district is unabated, while the authority concerned seems to be oblivious of the matter.
Sources alleged that every year a good number of new brickfields are set up on agricultural lands at different areas under the region, posing serious threat to cultivable lands as well as the environment.
There are some 185 brickfields in 8 upazilas of the district. Most of the brickfield owners are running their business illegally violating the existing law, sources alleged.
Due to rampant erection of brickfields on arable lands scores of trees including fruit bearing ones have perished and yield of many crops has decreased in recent years under the region.
According to the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act 2013, nobody can set up a brick kiln on agricultural land.
The Act imposes prohibition on establishment of brick kilns within the boundaries of several areas, like residential, preserved or commercial area, City Corporation, Municipality or Upazila headquarters, public or privately owned forests, sanctuary, gardens or wetlands, agricultural land, Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) and areas adjacent to these areas.
Local farmers alleged in many occasions are forced to give their lands on lease for long time to the owner of the kiln as they are politically and economically powerful and influential.
Environmentalists said that smoke emitted from the brickfields contains gases like carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide which causes harm to both human and animals as well as crops.
In addition, most of the brickfield owners purchase topsoil from the owners of cultivable lands which declines fertility of land.
Similarly, the total areas of agriculture lands are decreasing alarmingly which will consequently threaten the food security of the country.
Nur Alom, owner of a brick field at Nishbetganj area in Sadar upazila said with the assistance of a section of dishonest officials of the district administration the owners of illegal brick kilns are running their business.
The conscious people of the region urged the government to take necessary steps in this regard to prevent erection of brick kilns on agri-lands and in other prohibited areas to save cultivable lands as well as the environment.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
