Thick black smoke emitted from illegal brick kilns around city’s five districts posing a serious health threat to its people. Over 1300 brick kilns around city’s five districts --Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj, and Manikganj are running illegally under the very nose of the authorities concerned.
In 2013, the number of brick kilns across the country was 4959, but after five years it has increased to 7902. Apart from brick kilns, growing number of vehicles and construction works are also contributing to the air pollution. And these brick kilns are emitting thick black smoke with particulate matter, carbon dioxide (CO2), Sulfur monoxide, and other harmful gases, turning the ecology more vulnerable. The situation is taking a serious turn gradually, causing serious concern to the people living in capital Dhaka.
On Tuesday, in response to a petition by a rights organisation, the High Court ordered authorities concerned to shut down all the illegal brick kilns around the capital within 15 days in order to reduce air pollution. The court has also ordered the government to carry out mobile court drives in order to shut down the kilns.
Moreover, formation of a high-level committee has been ordered to find out why air pollution has increased in Dhaka and formulate a guideline on how to prevent it. The panel, headed by the environment secretary has been ordered to submit their findings in a month.
Meanwhile, according to health experts, the dwellers in the capital are suffering from various diseases including deadly ones due to severe air pollution. As per the commitment of the government made in its election manifesto, the environment ministry has been taking various measures to check air pollution in the country.
Brick kilns, vehicles run on fuel containing higher levels sulphur, as well as construction work have been identified as major sources of air pollution. Air quality further declines during the dry months—from October to April—but improves during the monsoon. The United States Environmental Protection Agency developed the Air Quality Index (AQI) to rank air quality. The AQI is divided into six categories, indicating increasing levels harm to one’s health.
Department of Urban & Regional Planning professor at the Jahangirnagar University Dr Shafiq-Ur Rahman talking to Bangladesh Post said “Brick fields are one of the major contributors to worst quality air of Dhaka” Mentioning lack of implementation of laws by concerned authorities’ professor Shafiq-Ur Rahman said, policy makers should focus on relocating these old fashioned brick fields and not allow new ones near city areas.
As an alternative to mud burnt brick he suggested, they should adopt modern environment friendly bricks. Proper use of land must be ensured. Most of these brick fields are built without any regulation on arable lands. Fuels of these kilns are coal and logs which is dangerous for health and environment. Department of Geography & Environment professor at the University of Dhaka Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir said, “Brick fields are not only key reason behind the dreadful atmosphere. Continued digging of city roads in the name of renovation also causing air pollution in Dhaka.”
Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, has topped the index of the world’s cities with the worst air quality. In the real-time air quality ranking, Dhaka scored 361 on Tuesday, he marked. Professor Humayun Kabir suggests, carpeting the roads immediately after repair can be effective. At the same time major development projects and brick kilns should be brought under proper guidance.