Rajshahi May 16 (V7N) -The toxic smoke from an illegal brick kiln named AMM, situated in a densely populated residential area and agricultural fields of Bidrika under Kesharhat পৌরসভা in Tanore, bordering Mohanpur of Rajshahi, has severely damaged crops in the adjacent fields, shattering the dreams of farmers. Crop losses due to the kiln's poisonous black smoke occur to varying degrees every year. There is absolutely no justification for operating this kiln in a densely populated area surrounded by agricultural land. The kiln uses wood as fuel and topsoil from agricultural land as raw material for making bricks, causing immense harm to the environment and biodiversity. Yet, the kiln continues to operate after paying a nominal fine.

Locals have been demanding the closure of this illegal brick kiln for a long time. However, due to mysterious reasons, no effective steps have been taken to shut it down. Farmers say they will be forced to launch a protest program if this illegal brick kiln is not closed.

It is known that Section 5 of the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act-2013 states that agricultural land or the soil from hills or hillocks cannot be excavated as raw material for brick manufacturing. Section 15 of this Act states that anyone who violates Section 5 will be sentenced to two years imprisonment or fined up to two lakh taka. Furthermore, despite a High Court directive to shut down all illegal brick kilns and the use of wood as fuel in brick kilns across the country, the owner of AMM brick kiln is disregarding this order, according to multiple sources.

Meanwhile, on April 19, 2025, with the cooperation of the Upazila administration, the Department of Environment fined AMM brick kiln Tk 1.5 lakh in a mobile court on charges of operating the kiln in violation of regulations. However, AMM brick kiln has not been shut down even after that. Affected individuals allege that the kiln owner, Amjad Digar, is using his influence to continue operating the kiln. The fire from this brick kiln has caused extensive damage to various crops including paddy, betel leaf, pointed gourd, and eggplant.

Meanwhile, the Upazila Agriculture Department learned about the crop damage. On Saturday, April 26, Agriculture Officer Kamrul Islam and Additional Agriculture Extension Officer Abdul Mannan visited the damaged crop fields with the farmers.

On the other hand, the report of the Upazila Agriculture Extension Department states that out of 7,104 hectares of paddy in the Bidrika area, crops on 19.8 metric tons belonging to 58 farmers were damaged, resulting in a financial loss of Tk 693,000. Out of 1,317 hectares of betel leaf, betel vines on 0.50 hectares belonging to 7 betel farmers were damaged, resulting in a financial loss of Tk 25,000. Out of 204 hectares of pointed gourd, crops belonging to 12 farmers suffered a financial loss of Tk 20,000. Out of 51 hectares of eggplant, crops belonging to 7 farmers suffered a financial loss of Tk 12,000. The total crop damage is estimated to be around Tk 750,000.

In addition to crop damage, the toxic smoke from the kiln has also caused the leaves of various fruit trees, including mango, jackfruit, and litchi, to curl up, and fruits have fallen off. Even after the smoke has stopped, the toxic chemical reactions are still damaging new crop fields and plants.

Affected farmers allege that the AMM illegal brick kiln, owned by influential individuals Amjad, Haji Siraj, and Gias Uddin of the Bidrika area, has burned their crop fields. The farmers claim that the excessive fuel used in the kiln created toxic smoke that destroyed their paddy fields and other crops.

Affected farmers say they had cultivated paddy, betel leaf, and various other crops on their land with great hope this time, and the yield was also quite good. However, the toxic smoke from the brick kiln has shattered their dreams. They say that due to the smoke emitted from the brick kiln, the environment is polluted, and their chances of getting sick have increased significantly. Due to such continuous smoke, they will soon suffer from respiratory problems like shortness of breath, liver failure, cough, TB, kidney disease, and various fatal diseases including cancer. They want this illegal kiln to be permanently shut down.

Local paddy farmers Nazrul, Miraj, Sabuj, Selim, Sujon, Kawsar, and Dulal said, "Our dreams have been burned in the kiln's fire. Now we are worried about how we will feed our families throughout the year. We want a remedy for this." Betel farmers Jasim, Siraj, Azahar, and Rustam said that they were already suffering from the six-inch root rot disease in their betel vines, and on top of that, the betel vines were destroyed by the fire from the brick kiln, which is an unbearable blow. This loss cannot be recovered in any way. It is urgent to immediately shut down the illegal brick kiln in the residential area. The tears of several villages are because of this illegal brick kiln. They cannot understand how this brick kiln is still operating after so many incidents, and they urgently seek the intervention of the agriculture and environment advisor to shut down the kiln.

Regarding this, Gias Uddin of the AMM brick kiln owners said that the crop damage occurred due to a mistake by the fire man. This incident happened due to the use of twice the required fuel. The affected will be compensated. When asked how the brick kiln is operating in a densely populated area and agricultural fields, he avoided giving a proper answer.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Aisha Siddika said, "No one has filed a written complaint regarding this incident. A report from the Agriculture Extension Department has been sent to the higher authorities. Necessary action will be taken upon receiving feedback from the higher authorities."

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