Lakshmipur:Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad, ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan, has urged the Environment Minister to take immediate action against approximately 70 illegal brick kilns operating in the Ramgati and Kamalnagar upazilas of Lakshmipur.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nizan emphasized the need to halt the illegal operations of these brick kilns to preserve agricultural land and protect the local environment. He communicated his concerns through a letter sent to the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry, highlighting the detrimental impact of these activities on both the environment and the economy.
Nizan noted that the majority of residents in Ramgati and Kamalnagar rely on agriculture for their livelihood. The illegal brick kilns are reportedly stripping fertile topsoil from farmlands, which is essential for maintaining soil fertility and agricultural productivity. This practice not only violates existing laws but also threatens long-term financial stability for local farmers.
He also raised alarms about the air pollution caused by the kilns, stating that the smoke and dust emitted are endangering public health and harming local biodiversity. The environmental degradation could potentially disrupt agricultural production and the ecological balance, hindering climate-resilient development in the region.
The letter highlighted additional concerns about the damage to rural roads caused by heavy vehicles transporting soil to the brick kilns. This damage is causing logistical challenges and increasing government maintenance costs. Moreover, the movement of these vehicles is contributing to dust and noise pollution and increasing the risk of road accidents.
In response to these issues, Nizan has requested an on-site investigation to identify and verify the legal status of the brick kilns, and to enforce appropriate legal actions against those violating the law. He also called for legal measures against individuals involved in the illegal extraction and transport of soil and emphasized the need for regular monitoring to prevent future violations.
The whip has urged the minister to direct relevant departments to take swift and effective actions to safeguard the agricultural lands, public health, and infrastructure in the affected upazilas.