Defying law and posing serious threats to the environment and public health, over 99 brick factories continue to operate in Brahmanbaria.

The local administration and the Department of Environment (DoE) have yet to take any visible measures against them although it is stipulated that no brickfield can be set up without clearance from the DoE.

The brick kilns have been set up beside bazars, croplands, educational institutions, fruit gardens and other establishments, said locals.

Seasonal fruits and crops including paddy are being damaged due to the emission from the brick kilns.

According to the DoE's Brahmanbaria office, there are 181 brick kilns in nine upazilas of the district. Of them, 82 have clearance but the rest are operating illegally without a license. Of which, 30 brickfields are now remaining closed or abandoned for various reasons.

However, the actual number of brick kilns is higher than the list of district administration shows.

According to section-4 of the Brick Making and Kiln Installation (Control) Act, no brick kiln can be operated without clearance from the DoE. If the rule is violated, a provision of two years imprisonment is there.

While visiting different brickfields in Sadar, Sarail and Bijoynagar upazilas, it was found that most of the brickfields are in the middle of croplands. Of them, many are near to the localities and within 500 metres of educational institutions.

Local environmentalists alleged that most of the brick kilns have been operating in Brahmanbaria flouting laws. The brickfield owners 'manage' the administration before the peak season.

Syed Nazrul Islam, president of Brahmanbaria Paribesh Ujjibi Mancho, a group working for the protection of the environment, said the officials who are involved in the racket must be brought to book.

Nasir Mia, member secretary to Brahmanbaria unit of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, said fertility of the land is completely lost following the sale of topsoil. If this unplanned removal of topsoil from agricultural land continues, it will bring a permanent disaster in future crop production.

Azizul Haque, general secretary of Brahmanbaria District Brick Manufacturers and Owners Association, said manufacturing bricks with soil is permitted till 2025. After that, bricks can no longer be made with soil. If the brick kilns are suddenly closed, people will suffer and development will be hampered.

As a result, the administration should exercise the laws with caution in case of less harmful brick kilns but stern action should be taken against those which are causing more harm to the environment, he said.

Md Nurul Amin, deputy director of DoE Brahmanbaria office, said 41 brick kilns were fined Tk 1.65 crore conducting mobile courts and some brickfields were partially demolished in 2021. Separate cases were filed against 29 illegal brick kilns. Last year, five illegal brick kilns owners were also sued.