Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu has warned that wood must not be used as fuel in brick kilns.
The minister said that a complete alternative to conventional bricks has not yet been developed. Therefore, instead of shutting down brick kilns, the focus should be on reducing pollution caused by the industry. He emphasized that adopting modern technologies is essential to minimizing emissions.
The minister made these remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Bricks Manufacturing Owners Association at the conference room of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The meeting was organized to discuss the environmental impacts of the brick kiln industry, air quality management, and pollution control.
He further stated that using topsoil for brick production damages soil fertility and is gradually reducing the amount of cultivable land. He stressed the need to explore sustainable alternatives.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said that no leniency would be shown toward illegal brick kilns. He also noted that the use of high-sulfur coal in brick kilns contributes significantly to environmental pollution and stressed the need for quality standards and regulations governing the use of coal.
A delegation from the Bangladesh Bricks Manufacturing Owners Association, led by its Central President Firoz Haidar Khan and Secretary General Momin Ullah Khan, attended the meeting along with advisers, vice presidents, and representatives from different districts across the country.
The meeting placed special emphasis on promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies for brick production and reducing environmental pollution. Association leaders also presented a number of demands and proposals, and it was decided that their reasonable requests would be taken into consideration.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Fahmida Khanam, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.