Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has warned that wood cannot be used as fuel in brick kilns under any circumstances.
He made the remarks during a views-exchange meeting with representatives of the Bangladesh Bricks Manufacturing Owners Association (BBMOA) at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday, where discussions focused on the environmental impact of the brick kiln industry, air quality management and pollution control measures.
The minister said a complete alternative to bricks is yet to be developed, and therefore the focus should be on reducing pollution from brick kilns rather than shutting them down.
“Pollution must be reduced through the adoption of new technologies,” he said.
Mintoo said the use of topsoil for brick production destroys agricultural land fertility and reduces the amount of cultivable land.
He stressed the need to explore alternative materials for brick production to protect agricultural resources.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said no concession would be given to illegal brick kilns. He also highlighted the environmental risks of using high-sulphur coal in brick kilns and called for establishing quality standards for coal used in the industry.
A BBMOA delegation led by its President Firoz Haider Khan and Secretary General Momin Ullah Khan attended the meeting.
The discussions focused on promoting sustainable and environment-friendly brick production methods and reducing environmental damage caused by the sector.
The association leaders placed several demands and proposals during the meeting. The ministry agreed to consider their reasonable demands.
The meeting was chaired by Fahmida Khanam, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Among others, Md Saidur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Environmental Pollution Control and Law), and Md Lutfur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Environment, attended the meeting.
