Date trees are on the verge of extinction due to its random use in a number of brick kilns in the district.

If the situation goes unbridled like this, the trees will be extinct one day.  

Jhenidah Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) could not give statistics of date trees. But huge numbers of date trees are being felled indiscriminately for burning bricks in the kilns.

Jahid Hasan, in-charge of Jhenidah District Nazir office, said there are 14 registered and 123 unregistered brick kilns in the district.

On a recent visit to a number of brick kilns, this correspondent found huge quantity of date tress piled up at each brick kiln premises. The trees are being used as fuel for burning bricks.

Monjurul Alam, a manager of Paul Brick Kiln in Sadar upazila, said they purchased the date trees at Tk 90 per maund.

Around 30,000 maunds are needed to burn one lakh bricks, he said, adding that a single brick kiln can produce three to four lakh bricks in each season.

Farmer Jahidul Islam of Mundia village in Kaliganj upazila said they sell date trees at a high price.

Date tree maintains ecological balance, said an environmental activist.

Abdur Razzak Nasim of Swadhin Jibon Paribesh Sangstha in Sirajganj said molasses prepared from date juice is more nutritious than sugarcane molasses.

Birds enjoy date juice. Farmers sell date trees for lack of awareness. The government should make the farmers aware about the importance of date trees, said Nasim.

Assistant District Magistrate of Jhenidah Sadek Hossain said they will look into the matter and take necessary steps in this regard.