In violation of the law, illegal brick kilns have been set up in Pabna's Santhiya residential area, on arable land, next to educational institutions. In addition to the health risks due to the black smoke pollution of the brick kilns, the agricultural land is decreasing with serious damage to the plants, fruits and crops. These illegal brick kilns cannot be stopped even by sitting a mobile court against them. On the other hand, wood is being burnt freely in these brick kilns. As a result, the environment is losing its diversity, people's lives are being disrupted.
It is known that brick kilns have been set up in various places including Selanda, Dhulauri, Patgari, Kashinathpur, Ataikula, Samanyapara in Santhia upazila in agricultural land, populated areas, near educational institutions and markets. On the surface, a brick kiln named Messrs. Safari Sardar Brickfield can be seen in front of the Upazila's Little Para Government Primary School. The head teacher of that school, Afsar Ali, said that due to the black smoke and dust from the chimney of the brickyard, the children are suffering from various diseases including headaches. Even after informing the higher authorities in this regard, no remedy is available. On the other hand, the people living in the residential area adjacent to the kiln said that the black fumes of brick burning are causing them to fall ill, including the children at home. Even the fruits of the trees are being destroyed.
Farmer Chohrab Hossain said that earlier there was cropland. He used to cultivate those lands on annual lease from the land owner. But at present, the owner of the brick kiln has taken a lease from the land owner by paying more money, so there is not much land for them to cultivate. On the other hand, there are 3 transformers installed on the electric pole next to the chimney of the brick kiln. Locals including bricklayers are fearing an accident at any time. Abdul Halim, the owner of Messrs. Safari Sardar Brickfield Brickfield, said that all his documents have been submitted according to the rules. However, its authenticity was not found after inquiry in the concerned department. These brick kilns installed in the upazila do not have any valid documents.
Santhia Health and Post Office Dr Sujoy Saha said that the black smoke and dust of the brick kiln can cause lung cancer, airway allergies, rhysitics and other diseases.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Sanjib Kumar Goswami said that due to the installation of brick kilns on agricultural land, as the cultivated land has started to decrease, on the other hand, the land is losing its fertility. Pabna Divisional Forest Officer Kashyapi Vikas Chandra said, I have heard about burning wood in brick kilns. In this regard, I have instructed the officials at the upazila level to conduct the operation with the cooperation of the upazila administration. Nazrul Islam, Inspector of Pabna Environment Department, said that no brick kiln in Pabna district has been given clearance by the Environment Department.
In this regard, Santhia Upazila Executive Officer Masud Hossain said that due to violation of conditions including burning wood in the brick kiln, fines are being imposed by the upazila administration through the mobile court and they have been instructed to operate the brick kiln in accordance with the conditions. Even then, if they operate brick kilns without following the rules, then necessary legal action will be taken against them.