Bangladesh

984 brick kilns on farmlands

Topsoil being used for manufacturing bricks, affecting agriculture, environment in Rangpur division
Photo: Star

The topsoil of vast areas of farmland in the agriculture-based northern districts is being used for manufacturing bricks, causing significant harm to agriculture and the environment.

Officials from the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rangpur division said 984 brick kilns, all set up on farmlands in eight districts, operate in violation of government regulations.

These kilns use the fertile topsoil from surrounding farmlands to make bricks. The collection of topsoil typically begins after the Aman paddy harvest and continues for about one and a half months.

Rezaul Karim, assistant director of the DoE in Kurigram, said removing topsoil negatively impacts the environment as excessive chemical fertilisers and pesticides used on these lands flow into nearby water bodies, causing pollution.

"We are conducting drives against brick kilns built illegally on agricultural land," he said.

Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy director of DAE in Kurigram, said about 30 bighas of farmland lose their topsoil annually to each brick kiln. "We can only raise awareness among farmers about not selling topsoil but lack the authority to take legal action against brick kiln owners," he said.

Despite being aware of the consequences, farmers are forced to sell the topsoil of their farmlands to brick kiln owners, they alleged.

Sadek Ali, a 65-year-old farmer from Doljor village in Lalmonirhat's Aditmari upazila, said, "I used an overdose of fertiliser and pesticide, hoping for better crop production, but the results were disappointing," he said, adding that brick kiln owners continue to collect topsoil.

Mansur Ali, a 55-year-old farmer from Bamonerbasa village in Aditmari upazila, has also suffered since selling the topsoil from his four bighas of farmland six years ago. "I have to deal with stagnant water while growing paddy, and weeds hinder crop growth. The land has become uneven and less fertile," he said.

However, Rafiqul Islam, a brick kiln owner from Roumari upazila in Kurigram, denied allegations of pressuring farmers to sell topsoil. "We purchase topsoil from farmers for brick manufacturing and have not faced any objections from the agriculture department. Farmers willingly sell their topsoil," he claimed.Obaidur Rahman Mandal, additional director of DAE in Rangpur region, said, "DAE officials are working to raise awareness among farmers about not selling their farmland's topsoil."

 

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984 brick kilns on farmlands

Topsoil being used for manufacturing bricks, affecting agriculture, environment in Rangpur division
Photo: Star

The topsoil of vast areas of farmland in the agriculture-based northern districts is being used for manufacturing bricks, causing significant harm to agriculture and the environment.

Officials from the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rangpur division said 984 brick kilns, all set up on farmlands in eight districts, operate in violation of government regulations.

These kilns use the fertile topsoil from surrounding farmlands to make bricks. The collection of topsoil typically begins after the Aman paddy harvest and continues for about one and a half months.

Rezaul Karim, assistant director of the DoE in Kurigram, said removing topsoil negatively impacts the environment as excessive chemical fertilisers and pesticides used on these lands flow into nearby water bodies, causing pollution.

"We are conducting drives against brick kilns built illegally on agricultural land," he said.

Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy director of DAE in Kurigram, said about 30 bighas of farmland lose their topsoil annually to each brick kiln. "We can only raise awareness among farmers about not selling topsoil but lack the authority to take legal action against brick kiln owners," he said.

Despite being aware of the consequences, farmers are forced to sell the topsoil of their farmlands to brick kiln owners, they alleged.

Sadek Ali, a 65-year-old farmer from Doljor village in Lalmonirhat's Aditmari upazila, said, "I used an overdose of fertiliser and pesticide, hoping for better crop production, but the results were disappointing," he said, adding that brick kiln owners continue to collect topsoil.

Mansur Ali, a 55-year-old farmer from Bamonerbasa village in Aditmari upazila, has also suffered since selling the topsoil from his four bighas of farmland six years ago. "I have to deal with stagnant water while growing paddy, and weeds hinder crop growth. The land has become uneven and less fertile," he said.

However, Rafiqul Islam, a brick kiln owner from Roumari upazila in Kurigram, denied allegations of pressuring farmers to sell topsoil. "We purchase topsoil from farmers for brick manufacturing and have not faced any objections from the agriculture department. Farmers willingly sell their topsoil," he claimed.Obaidur Rahman Mandal, additional director of DAE in Rangpur region, said, "DAE officials are working to raise awareness among farmers about not selling their farmland's topsoil."

 

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