Brick Export
Not too wise a decision, perhaps
Bangladesh starts brick export to Tripura's a news item published in different national dailies on August 20, 2009. Salient features of the news are: a) 40 crore bricks will be exported; b) Foreign Exchange earning will be boosted by Tk. 283 crores or $ 40.43 million approximately. That will reduce the trade gap between India and Bangladesh to the same extent. The trade gap in fiscal 2007-2008 was quoted to be $ 3.016 billion. All this indicates a positive step forward, initiated by IBCCI and actively pursued for six months that has resulted in achievement of the deal. For a common citizen, this achievement will appear to be excellent. But is it really so? There are many associated issues that need to be carefully studied before arriving at a conclusion whether this really has been a good move or bad for Bangladesh. First and foremost reason is environmental. Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmed, President, IBCCI himself has said, “Every Industry has an impact on environment and the same is true for brick fields. We will ensure brick export from only those who ensure environmental norms.” These norms basically are: a) The brick fields will be located at quite some distance from residential areas; b) The chimneys for emission of smoke will have to be of a definite height; c) Timbers must not be used in burning of bricks. There is no reason to doubt the sincerity of IBCCI to enforce the above norms. But it is perhaps not practical. It is highly unlikely that felling down trees can be or will be stopped. “Loggers reign supreme” is the headline of another news item published in The Daily Star on August 26, 2009, which continues as: “Half of Mirzapur's reserve forest disappears; Timber Market, brick kilns thrive on Tangail greens.” Such being the situation, it is only a wishful thinking that IBCCI can effectively enforce regulations in this respect. Hope against hope, let us assume, timbers will not be used for burning these bricks. Then what fuel will be used is the question that automatically follows. Can it be natural gas? The answer has to be negative as Bangladesh does not have enough reserve nor the requisite pipeline to supply gas to distantly located brick fields. The most rational solution to this fuel problem can be coal. Now since we do not have enough coal reserve in our country, this coal will have to be imported. For financial reasons, the brick manufacturers are unlikely to import best grade coal or coke. It can be predicted that cheap quality coal will be used, which will have impurities that on burning will emit harmful sulphurous and other gases along with carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). In a news item headlined “Brick kilns to get green energy” in The Daily Star of August 26, 2009 it has been stated that “Brick making in Bangladesh is a highly energy intensive and carbon emitting activity and one of the largest sources of gas emission estimated to be around 3 (three) million tonnes of CO2 annually.” It is a grave situation that needs immediate arrest. We are making deals that will add to the danger for reduction of a trade gap of $ 3.016 billion by an amount of US$ 40.43 million or by an even significantly much lesser amount when the import cost of the coal for burning these bricks are taken into account. The world is in the throes of recession never before seen since the Great Depression of 1929. To make matters worse, the threat of climate change is very real and its impact would be most severely felt here in Bangladesh. It is now imperative that focus be given on conservation of energy and implementation of environment friendly practices. Earth climate has changed during the past century and will continue to change significantly in near and distant future. Further, these changes have not been and will not be evenly distributed over the entire planet. Climate changes are more felt where large population dwell and rely on ecosystem for their sustenance. Bangladesh best befits the above and can be described to be sitting on a climate tinderbox most vulnerable to threats like rise in sea level or catastrophic storms. Another highly important aspect that needs to be attended is the materials from which these bricks will be produced. The material is clay, or the top soil on the earth's crust. We can destroy it but cannot recreate it. Our country being a small one and of a high density population that still primarily and mostly depends on agriculture for sustenance must protect this top soil as this is our most valuable national wealth. Destruction of the same for immediate small gain will be like killing the golden goose for collecting golden eggs all in one time. We must understand that 40 crore bricks mean a total quantity of 3.41 million cubic feet of clay equivalent to 4726 bighas of land 1´-0´´ deep. Supposing the same quantity of brick will be exported for five years will mean Bangladesh will lose 4726 Bighas of agricultural land for earning an amount of 5 x 40.43 = US$ 202.15 million. This 4726 bigha of land will be lost for agricultural use once for all which otherwise would have yielded crops from now onwards up to eternity. Together with this the brick production for domestic use which must be many times more, if allowed to continue unabated is an excellent example of ridiculous ignorance or indifference to the importance of conserving our nature, our wealth and our future. We cannot afford the luxury of export of bricks and must take up effective measures to gradually decrease use of bricks for our domestic construction as well. We must find out alternative materials that are environment friendly in their production process; that does not damage our valuable resources. Such materials are already in use in many countries who do not produce bricks. We should also try to find out, why India, being such a larger country having great reserves of forest, gas and coal, has decided to import bricks. Is it because, they are conscious about sustainable development, while we are not. Time has come to ask ourselves: are we being guided by greed and not prudence in taking vital decisions? “Strong support due for Dhaka” is the headline of another news item of The Daily Star dated August 30, 2009, where the Hon'ble Prime Minister has been quoted as follows: “Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. It deserves strong international support as the country is being terrifically effected by global warming for no fault of its own.” We have to act in a manner to prove that the statement cannot be questioned. But are we doing it? The Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Environment, conscious citizens of Bangladesh will hopefully explore answers to these questions fast, before this is too late.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments