A brick kiln is being operated in a residential area and adjacent to a primary school, posing serious health hazards to students and people in Jalalia under Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar.

Locals say they have been facing various types of health problems due to the pollution caused by the brick kiln.

Students of Begum Jebunnesa Government Primary School, which is located a few yards from the brick kiln, are the worst sufferers.

"My son is a student of this school. He has been suffering from a cough for the last few years. We often have to take him to doctors. He gets well after medication but after a few days, the problem comes back," said Sadeq Miah, a resident of the area.

The authorities of the Mohsin Brick Field claimed it has been functioning for around 32 years and the school was founded after it came into being.

Talking to The Daily Star, local government officials said it would not be justified to evict the brick field as it was established earlier than the school.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found that the brick kiln authorities have piled up bricks at the entrance of the school, which is now closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Headmistress Nargis Akhter said, "A school is a place where children come to study and play. But such a hazardous environment will have an adverse impact on their mental and physical health."

When the school began its journey in 1992, the brick field was small. But it kept expanding over the years. And taking advantage of school closure due to the pandemic, it expanded further and even moved into the school yard, she said.

There are some other schools in the area, including Munshibazar Government Primary School, Kaliprasad High School, and Sajeda Bari Kindergarten School.

As per the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kilns Establishment (Control) Act-2013, establishing a brick field is prohibited within a three-kilometre radius of residential areas, upazila headquarters, fruit orchards, farmlands, forestlands, education institutions and localities, said Nurul Muhaimin Milton, general secretary of Moulvibazar Environmental Journalists' Forum.

Jalalia is a residential area with vast swathes of cropland. Farmers say their production is being hampered as the ashes fill up their fields.

"Normally, a brick kiln emits a huge amount of hazardous smoke and ashes that pollute the environment. If a brick kiln is located in a residential area, it poses serious health risks to people," said Narayan Saha, former head of Department of Forestry and Environmental Science at Shahjalal University of Science Technology.

Kamalganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Mahbubul Alam Bhuiyan said locals can suffer from various diseases including respiratory problems, cough, allergies and pneumonia due to the air pollution caused by the brick kiln.

"We, the people of this area, have discussed the issue with the administration multiple times. But we did not get any result."

Kamalganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ashekul Haque said, "We are aware of the matter. We have already visited the area to observe the situation.

"The brick kiln was established long before setting up the school. So, it would not be justified to evict the brick field. We are now discussing it with our higher authorities to finalise the next course of action."

Badrul Huda, assistant director of the Department of Environment  in Moulvibazar said, the brick field has approval from the environment department.

"We will look into the matter. We will take action, if anyone thinks unlawful activities are happening there," he told The Daily Star.

Contacted, the brick field's manager Mintu Deb said the brick field has been running its activities in compliance with all legal provisions since its establishment.