10,000 students at health risk

Several brick kilns, built near different educational institutions, have been operating in Brahmanbaria, defying law and denying the locals' objections.

Harmful smoke emitted from the kilns is entering the schools directly, putting students and teachers at risk of health hazards.

According to Department of Environment's (DoE) Brahmanbaria office, at least 17 brickfields have been set up near educational institutions. As a result, more than 10,000 students are at health risk.

Under the existing law, it is prohibited to set up brickfields within 1,000 metres of any educational institution, marsh or farmland, hill, government road or inhabiting area.

But local administrations did not take any effective steps against the kiln owners responsible for this violation, alleged locals.

According to DoE, Mehdi Bricks is located near Khalapara Government Primary School in Suhilpur union of Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila. Paban Bricks is only 300 metres away from Bakail Government Primary School in the same area. There is a government primary school within 600 metres of Arab bricks, adjacent to Gokarnaghat in Brahmanbaria municipal area. There's also another kiln named Rony brickfield next to it. These two are located within 500 metres of the scope of the municipal area.

Messrs Bharasa Bricks and Mia Bhai and Co (Azim Bricks) at Sindhura village in Natai Dakkhin union of the upazila are located beside a government primary school and high school. Two brick kilns have been built along the riverbank, only 550 metres from Krishnanagar Abdul Jabbar High School in Nabinagar upazila.

Bhuiyan Bricks is 500 metres away from Rampur Government Primary School in Bijoynagar upazila. Another kiln, Madina Bricks, is located at the same distance from the school.

There is a primary school near Ratan Bricks in Tan-monipur village of the upazila's Pattan union. Haji Bricks is located 600 metres from Chandura Government Primary School. T&C Bricks is also 600 metres away from Budhanti Ahladi Government Primary School.

The New Mayer Doa Bricks of Rajabariakandi village in Sarail upazila is 600 metres from Baishamura Government Primary School, and next to it is Subarna Bricks. There is also a primary school near New Samata Bricks in Shahjadapur village of the same upazila.

Titas Bricks is 600 metres from Mugra Government Primary School in Akhaura upazila and 150 metres away from Dhaka-Chattogram and Chattogram-Sylhet railways.

While visiting the area, this correspondent saw huge bricks are being burnt at Mehedi Bricks, set up close to Khalapara Government Primary School.

Parul Begum, headteacher of the school, said the brick kiln has been causing serious physical and mental health hazards for them.

Bishwajit Karmaker, acting headteacher of Kalishima Dakhhin Government Primary School, echoed the same.

Contacted, Md Nurul Amin, deputy director of Brahmanbaria DoE, said there are 181 brick fields in the district, of which 99 are operating illegally. "Our department is conducting mobile court drives against all illegal brick kilns, including the brick fields near educational institutions."