Narsingdi Correspondent

Less than a week after the mobile court in Narsingdi, the illegal brick kilns have started again.

Such images were seen on the surface of the three brick kilns that conducted the operation. All other illegal brick kiln activities are also going on.

Locals said that on November 28, the Department of Environment conducted raids on three brick kilns in Shibpur and Manohardi upazilas of the district. As a part of anti-pollution campaign and environmental protection activities, this operation of the Department of Environment was conducted by the learned Executive Magistrate of the Monitoring and Enforcement Wing of the Department of Environment, Faizunnesha Akhter.

Meanwhile, three brick kilns namely M/s KBM Bricks of Shibpur's Baratila, AFT Brick Field of Manohardi and RFS Brick Field of Harinarayanpur were fined Tk. During this two lakh raw bricks were wasted and crushed by excavators.

After this operation, these three illegal brick kilns started working again within two weeks. Other illegal brick kilns are also going on.

It was seen on the surface of the ground last Wednesday, two brick kilns named AFT Brick Field and RFS Brick Field of Harinarayanpur in Manohardi have been built on the cultivated land. Due to the pollution of these two brick kilns located side by side, the surrounding cropland has become unfit for cultivation.

Bricks are made by cutting the fertile soil of the land. There is a High School, Fazil Madrasah and Primary School next to the stream. Local residents are also suffering along with teachers and students. Two brick kilns are being operated illegally despite not getting permission as per government rules. Similarly, M/s KBM Bricks Field in Shivpur's Baritala is also being operated illegally in the locality without following the rules.

A total of 22 brick kilns are running in Manohardi upazila this year. Out of these only 8 brick kilns are valid. After the demand campaign of the brick kiln owners, they have restarted the brick kiln operations with the verbal permission of the Department of Environment.

Ramiz Uddin, the owner of RFS Brick Field said, I bought this brick kiln a year ago without understanding. An application has been made for permission to the concerned department including the Department of Environment. Not yet approved. I started the brick kiln after the campaign to avoid losses.

Emdadul Haque Likhan, the owner of AFT Brick Field, said that the abandoned brick kiln has been reopened. I applied a few days before the campaign. I started making bricks even though I didn't get permission. After the operation, I managed the administration and started the brick kiln again and I am trying to get permission from the concerned department.

When contacted, Deputy Director of Environment Department, Narsingdi, Sheikh Md. Nazmul Huda said, I am not aware of any information that three illegal brick kilns are running again after the operation of Monitoring and Enforcement Wing of Environment Department. If found to be correct, action will be taken against them.