Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today warned that wood must not be used as fuel in brick kilns under any circumstances. The minister emphasized the need to reduce pollution from brick kilns through the adoption of new technologies instead of shutting them down. Mintoo made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting with representatives of the Bangladesh Bricks Manufacturing Owners Association (BBMOA) at the ministry's conference room at the Secretariat in Dhaka.
Environmental Impacts and Sustainable Alternatives
The meeting focused on discussing the environmental impacts of the brick kiln industry, air quality management, and various issues relating to pollution control. Mintoo highlighted that using topsoil for brick production destroys the fertility of agricultural land, leading to a decrease in cultivable land. He stressed the need to explore alternative arrangements to mitigate this issue.
Strict Measures and Technological Adoption
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam stated that no concession would be given regarding illegal brick kilns. He pointed out that the use of coal with high sulphur content in brick kilns pollutes the environment and stressed the importance of formulating quality standards for coal used in brick kilns. The meeting, chaired by Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Fahmida Khanam, placed special emphasis on producing bricks through sustainable and environment-friendly technologies and reducing environmental pollution.
Leaders of the BBMOA presented their various demands and proposals during the meeting. It was decided that their reasonable demands would be taken into consideration. The association's delegation was led by Central President Firoz Haidar Khan and Secretary General Momin Ullah Khan, along with advisers and vice-presidents from different districts of the country.
