Zero tolerance policy against environmental pollution

Special Correspondent:

Though belated, the Department of Environment, in collaboration with the district administration, has launched a campaign against illegal brick kilns located in nine upazilas of Sirajganj district to implement a ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ against environmental pollution.

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change earlier announced a cleaning programme to prevent environmental pollution across the country.

Being encouraged by the initiative and on the directive of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Nazrul Islam, the district administration and environment department jointly have started drive against illegal brick kilns in nine upazilas of the district.

As a part of this, some brick kilns were brought under legal action on Monday last. Of them, nine unauthorized brick kilns were fined at Tk 40 lakh. Besides, two including Messrs Zenin Brick Kilns were demolished completely, while rest others including Messrs Alfa Brick Kilns were directed to shut down.

According to the sources, a mobile court led by Abdullah Al Mamun, Executive Magistrate of Monitoring and Enforcement Wing at the Environment Department conducted raid at 10 brick kilns in Raiganj upazila and one in Sirajganj Sadar upazila.

Among the fined brick kilns, Messrs Rain Brick Kilns of Sirajganj Sadar upazila was fined at Tk 6 lakh, Messrs Surma Brick Kilns in Raiganj upazila at Tk 5 lakh, Messrs H Ali Brick Kilns at Tk 5 lakh, Messrs H S Brick Kilns at Tk 5 lakh, Messrs SNB Brick Kilns at Tk 4 lakh, Messrs Sun Brick Kilns at Tk 5 lakh, Messrs Hero Brick Kilns at Tk 5 lakh, Messrs Super Brick Kilns at Tk 2.50 lakh and Messrs Reza Brick Kilns at Tk 2.50 lakh for producing and marketing of bricks without legal procedures.

Tuhin Alam, Assistant Director of Environment Department in Sirajganj confirmed the matter to the Daily Sky on Tuesday and said, “We have noticed that a good number of brick kilns have been running brisk business in the district flouting the government rules and regulations. Due to use of unauthorized chimneys and burning of fire woods in the kilns, local environment is being seriously polluted that poses threat to the public health. Despite mandatory, the brick kilns, brought under fine, had no environmental certificates. Those have been carried out for long without approval of the concerned district administration.”

Tuhin further said, “Environment Department in collaboration with the Sirajganj district administration has taken Zero Tolerance policy against the environmental pollution. This is why, we have launched drive against the illegal brick kilns to prevent pollution and protect the crops, trees and greeneries in and around the district.”

“The drive will be continued until root out of illegal brick kilns in the district,’ he added.

Shahin Alam, Inspector of Environment Department and forces from police, fire service and civil defense and even Ansar-VDP took part in the drive.