DCs asked to conduct drives for speedy closure of illegal brick kilns

Staff Reporter :
The ministry concerned has instructed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across the country to take quick steps to shutdown the illegal brick kilns to prevent air pollution.
In the letter sent from Environment Pollution Control Wing-1 of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Wednesday, the DCs have been instructed to inform the ministry by taking necessary measures in this regard immediately after closure of illegal brick kilns.
The letter also asked to close all brick kilns, which are operating illegally in the country, especially the more harmful ones on priority basis.
According to the letter, it has also asked to strengthen the enforcement activities against new brick kilns which are established without any license. Those districts where illegal brick kilns are more than legal ones, the DCs of the concerned districts asked to conduct special operations and inform the ministry.
Apart from this, the DCs have been instructed for taking measures to stop the use of single-use plastic in all government offices at the district level, including the deputy commissioner’s office, and in coastal areas.
The instruction was given through another separate letter issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
To prevent plastic and polythene pollution, monthly meetings and regular discussion meetings with stakeholders and implementation of public awareness programmes have been asked. The move was taken by the ministry following an order given by the High Court.
Earlier on February 27, the High Court ordered the Department of Environment (DoE) to take necessary steps to evict all the illegal brick kilns installed in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Manikganj and Munshiganj districts in two weeks.
Earlier on February 5, the HC also asked the respondents to implement the court directives issued to control air pollution in Dhaka within two weeks.