32 out of 36 brick kilns in Netrakona illegal: DoE

Of the 36 brick kilns operating across nine upazilas in Netrakona, 32 have been identified as illegal, according to the Department of Environment (DoE).

The kilns have been established on agricultural land and near residential areas, educational institutions, roads, and railway lines, using fertile topsoil from croplands to manufacture bricks, and burning firewood instead of coal, thereby violating existing regulations.

Despite court directives to shut down the illegal kilns, locals allege that the orders have not been effectively implemented, raising concerns about the lack of enforcement by local administration and the DoE.

As per Section 5 of the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013, the use of topsoil from agricultural land, hills, and mounds is prohibited for brick production.

Under Section 6, anyone using wood as fuel for burning bricks faces up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of Tk 3,00,000, or both. Section 8 further prohibits the establishment of brick kilns in residential, reserved, or commercial areas; within city corporations, municipalities, or upazila headquarters; on government or privately owned forests; sanctuaries; gardens; wetlands; and agricultural land.

The kilns must also maintain a minimum distance of one kilometre from forests, special installations, railway lines, educational institutions, hospitals, and research centres.

Considering these provisions, many previously issued clearances have been revoked.

Sources at the DoE’s Netrakona office said that in 2022, then-inspector Sushil Kumar Das filed multiple cases with the Netrakona Special Magistrate’s Court. Judge Suhel Mrong imposed fines of varying amounts on the illegal kilns and ordered them to relocate to legal and environmentally compliant sites by December that year.

The court also instructed the assistant director of the DoE to demolish the illegal kilns.

However, kiln owners appealed against the directives while continuing operations.

Several kilns, including M/S MRS Bricks in Sadar upazila and M/S PN Co Bricks in Durgapur upazila, appealed to the Environment Court, but their appeals were dismissed. Apart from this, the court’s directives have not been fully enforced.

Recent visits found at least four kilns operating along the Netrakona–Mohanganj railway line. In Thakurakona under Sadar upazila, MRS Bricks operates beside a road and railway line.

In Patli village of Barhatta upazila, RMB Bricks is located close to a railway line and a primary school. In Kalmakanda upazila, PCB Bricks operates on cropland along the Gumai riverbank.

Contacted, Md Abdullah Al Amatin, assistant director of DoE in Netrakona, said that 32 of the 36 brick kilns in the district have been operating without proper authorisation in one way or another.

He added that several kilns have been fined during drives conducted for violations such as using topsoil and firewood. “More enforcement operations will be carried out in the coming days, and legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.”

Netrakona Deputy Commissioner Md Saifur Rahman said that action against illegal brick kilns is primarily taken through the DoE.

“Due to election-related engagements, operations had been temporarily halted. However, regular drives will now resume. Executive magistrates have already conducted operations against several illegal kilns, imposing fines and demolishing some structures,” he said.

The DC warned that no one continuing illegal operations in defiance of court orders would be spared.