Durgapur Correspondent: In Rajshahi Durgapur Upazila, one brick kiln has been built in the field of crops. Most of the people of Krishi Nirvar Upazila are involved in agricultural work. Fish, betel and mango are famous all over the country. They have to run their families directly and indirectly on agriculture. In a word, it is an agricultural economic zone.
Due to good soil and beautiful climate, maximum yield of crop is obtained. But illegal brick kilns are causing serious environmental damage. The top soil of the agricultural land is going into the womb of these low tides. Wood is being burned instead of coal. And around the brick making season, huge piles of soil have been stored in the lowlands.
About 20 kilns have already been set on fire to burn bricks. In all of which various woods including mangoes are being burnt.
According to multiple sources, top soil of about 250 acres of land is burnt at low tide every year. A 1992 circular issued by the Ministry of Lands states that construction of brick kilns on agricultural land is a punishable offense and brick making and kiln installation (control) Act, 2013 prohibits the installation of kilns on agricultural land. These laws were not obeyed in Durgapur.
It can be seen on the ground that huge stocks have been made by cutting the soil from the crop lands in these lowlands of the upazila. The activity is going on with different types of wood when a little coal is seen in one or two lowlands.
The government enacted the Brick Making and Kiln Installation (Control) Act, 2013 in the interest of conservation and development of environment and biodiversity. But the law is in place of the law, in reality there is no enforcement. Gradually, the reckless owner of the furnace, Gon7 Influential people of the society becomes the owners of these brickfields regardless of any law or administration. They build brick kilns on crop lands without any approval. The top soil of the agricultural land of this region is made of hollow, and perforated bricks. Bricks are made by covering the area with black smoke. And bricks are transported using rural roads.
Upazila Illegal ebbs and flows have developed in the crop lands of the villages. By showing the temptation of money to the farmers, their illegal ebbs are made by leasing their land. Under the 2013 Act, no institution can issue a license to set up a tide on agricultural land.
The law also mentions that bricks must have hello flux. Wood, bamboo shoots, and date palm trunks cannot be used as fuel. No soil can be used except canals, rivers, fallow lands, coal containing excess sulfur, ash, mercury or similar elements, etc. There are many other rules which It has been done to protect the environment.
Due to these illegal brickfields in Durgapur, the environment is facing a serious disaster. The surrounding lands have become barren, the land is drying up a little, the water layer is getting lower day by day in the dry season. The small reservoirs are drying up before the dry season. Rural roads have become unusable and farmers, including ordinary people, have been severely affected by the communication system.
Aminul Islam, a farmer from Amgachhi area of ​​the upazila, said, “There was a brick field next to the land. My land used to have many beautiful crops but now there is no such crop. Even if irrigation is given, the water dries up in a short time. Sir Paus gives all but I do not understand why the yield is good.
Bazlul Karim (Santu), owner of Nahar Bricks Bhata, said, "I don`t approve of Bhata. If you want to take action, write what you need to write." My hidden business? Don`t see the administration? And who are you to question? The Department of Environment will see.
Regarding illegal brickfields, Rakonuzzaman (Rakon), president of the Upazila Krishka League, said, "First of all, we should protect the interests of the farmers." The country will survive if the farmers survive, development is needed but it has to be within the rules. Environmental catastrophe can never be caused by ebb tide on agricultural land. I will call for immediate legal action against illegal brick kilns. Biodiversity should be protected.
Agriculture Officer Mashiur Rahman said that most of the agricultural lands were set up without any permission. These ebbs are having a severe impact on agriculture. Ten to one hundred percent of the crops in the vicinity and within a few kilometers are destroyed. In this area, the mango tree will not have buds, but the mango will actually fall in cocoon. The water layer will continue to go down day by day. He digs up the crop land and makes bricks from the soil which is completely illegal.
In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohsin Mridha said, further development of the country will happen only through the development of farmers. Legal action will be taken against illegal brick kilns soon.
Ordinary people say development is needed but it has to be within the rules, legal action should be taken against illegal brick kilns immediately.
