Numerous brick kilns have been set up in the hilly areas bordering Banshkhali and Satkania in Chattogram without environmental clearance. These kilns are accused of cutting hills to extract soil for brick production and burning trees from the hillsides for fuel.
In addition to numerous kilns along the Satkania border, three have been established in Lotmoni Mauza of Sadhanpur Union. Locals allege that soil is being extracted from three hills in the Gunagari area.
A task force from the Department of Environment, along with the Upazila administration and police, launched an operation in the first week of November. During the operation, two kilns were fined Tk 1 million for extracting soil from the hills, and one was demolished.
A visit to the site revealed large hills adjacent to residential areas in Lotmoni, Sadhanpur Union. These hills are being cut to make way for brick kilns on government land. Various species of trees from the hills are being burned in the kilns.
KM Salahuddin Kamal, Chairman of Sadhanpur Union Parishad, said, “I don’t even know the brick kiln owners. We will provide full cooperation from the council to the Department of Environment and the Upazila Forest Department to take legal action.”
Ashraf Uddin, Research Officer of the Department of Environment, Chattogram district, said, “If the brick kilns do not have clearance from the Department of Environment, they will be shut down.”
Upazila Agriculture Officer Abu Salek said, “The use of agricultural land soil in brick kilns is prohibited. Setting up brick kilns on fallow land is subject to investigation.”
Banshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Jesmin Akhtar said, “No one has complained about the brick kilns. The Department of Environment has conducted an operation. If hills are being cut, legal action will be taken.”
