Brick kilns threaten soil fertility

Fertility of the croplands sees gradual decline in the district due to the rampant cutting of topsoil by the land owners, soil traders and brickfield owners.

This is not only reducing the production of crops but also damaging the ecological balance and the environment. The district has been losing large areas of croplands every year due to this.

Additional Deputy Director (ADD) of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Bogra Abdur Rahim said land owners cut the soil of the upper part of the croplands and sell it to the brick-kilns in the district.

Around six-inches of the upper part of the land provide the nutrients to the crops and help the plants to grow, the ADD said, adding that crop production has deceased as the plants do not get the nutrients due to soil cutting.

Residents of Bonga and Kalsimati villages in Sherpur upazila said some land owners have been selling the topsoil to brick-kiln owners, threatening vast areas of croplands, houses and educational institutions.

Jamal Fakir, Abbas Uddin and Mohor Ali said the soil buyers are very influential and anyone who protests is threatened with cases or attacks.

Soil traders Momotaz Mia, Kamrul Ali and Jaharul Islam said they buy the soil and supply it to the brick-kilns, and no one can stop the business in the district.

Fertility of the land can be regained after around 15 years by using organic fertilizers in the land from where the soil has been removed, said ADD Abdur Rahim.