HC orders dismantling of illegal brick kilns nationwide

The High Court has ordered the removal of all illegal brick kilns across the country in strict compliance with legal provisions and directed that a report be submitted to it by March 17.

The order was issued on Monday by the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury after eight officials appeared before the court and submitted written explanations.

Additionally, the Director General of the Department of Environment, along with the Divisional Commissioners of Sylhet, Rajshahi, Barishal, Rangpur, and Mymensingh, have been summoned to explain their failure to take effective action against illegal brick kilns and the use of wood as fuel. They have been instructed to appear in person on March 17 to provide their explanations.

Senior lawyer Manzill Murshid represented the petitioner in the court hearing, while lawyer Fahima Nasrin Munni appeared for the Brick Kiln Owners' Association. Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state.

During the hearing, the High Court stated, “We must protect the country’s environment. Our normal lives are increasingly being disrupted. If environmental pollution continues at this rate, none of us will survive.”

Earlier on Monday morning, the Divisional Commissioners of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, as well as the Deputy Commissioners of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram, and the Upazila Nirbahi Officers of Savar and Dhamrai, appeared before the court in response to a summons regarding the failure to take effective measures against illegal brick kilns. They submitted their written explanations before the court.

Those who have provided written explanations have been exempted from personal appearances, but they have been directed to submit a complete report by March 17.