All brick kilns to be made environment-friendly

Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin on Wednesday said 65.29 per cent brick kilns in the country have been upgraded as part of efforts to make them environment-friendly ones, reports UNB.

"The others will be upgraded in phases," he told a view-exchange meeting with Bangladesh Climate Change Journalists Forum (BCJF) at the Secretariat.

Minister Shahab Uddin said the government has taken initiatives to curb air pollution.

Sixteen camps have been set up in major cities to control air quality. "Brick kilns are responsible for 58 per cent of air pollution in Dhaka City," he said.

Brick kilns have been asked to produce 20 per cent concrete block bricks to gradually cut the production of baked bricks to keep the air healthy, he said.

However, he said, the government will stress 100 per cent production of concrete block bricks.

Referring to noise pollution, Shahab Uddin said the government has imposed a ban on hydraulic horn.

Besides, the government has taken an initiative to stop the use of polythene outside the government policy, said the minister. "We've to encourage people to use bags made of jute."

He said those involved in grabbing forestland will face punishment. "Action is being taken against those involved in occupying forestland," he said, adding that the occupied lands will be reclaimed soon.