The newly-enacted law on brick production will come into force from July to check widespread environment pollution as well as save arable land and forest, sources said.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has taken the decision recently, saying that the law will be obligatory for the country's all brick kilns from July 1.
"According to the section 1(2) of the law, the government has taken the decision to implement the law promptly," MoEF Secretary Md Shafiqur Rahman Patwari mentioned in a circular.
Due to rampant environment pollution as well as use of arable land and forest degradation by brick kilns, the government took steps to formulate a law on brick burning.
On November 10, the parliament passed a new bill on brick manufacturing. Later, the Brick Making and Brickfield Establishment (Control) Act 2013 turned into a law after signing by the President.
The previous act on brick production - the Brick Burning (control) Act 1989 - was amended twice - in 1992 and 2001 - before it was finally replaced by the new law.
The new law has introduced tougher regulations for brick production, including a provision of trial for offences under the penal code. Previously, offences were tried under the environment court.
Bangladesh Brick Manufacturing Owners' Association (BBMOA) vice president Asadur Rahman Khan told the FE that they have received a letter from the government on execution of the law from July.
"We have received a letter, but do not know much about the law," he said.
Mr Khan said the government sat with the brick makers about two years ago, and they gave some recommendations for formulation of a new law. However, very few of their suggestions have been included in the new law.
About execution of the government notice, he said they have enough time to talk with the government about it. A meeting will be held on the first week of April in this regard.
According the Department of Environment, there are about 6,356 brickfields in the country. However, environmentalists said the number is about 10,000, and half of them are located around the capital, contributing to 30 per cent of air pollution in Dhaka. The situation is much worse across the country.
The new law disallows establishment of brick kilns in residential, protected, commercial and agricultural areas, and also in forests, sanctuaries, wetlands and ecologically critical areas (ECAs). Any brickfield establishment in these prohibited areas would be treated as a criminal offense, according to the law.
Maximum punishment for setting up a brickfield in residential, protected or commercial locations will be five years in prison or Tk 5.0 million in fines, or both.
For setting up a brickfield in forests, private or public, sanctuaries and wetlands, the punishment will be one year's imprisonment or Tk 1.0 million in fines.
"Anyone found guilty of using poor quality coal, containing low sulphur, will have to pay maximum fine of Tk 50,000," as per the law.
Brick making is one of the fastest growing industries in Bangladesh, having an estimated annual turnout of around Tk 8.66 billion. It is one of the largest sources of emission of greenhouse gases, mainly CO2, responsible for global warming.
