Brick kilns eating up arable lands in Lakshmipur | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
May 26, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, MAY 26, 2025
Brick kilns eating up arable lands in Lakshmipur

Environment

Sana Ullah Sanu
14 March, 2021, 11:45 am
Last modified: 14 March, 2021, 11:49 am

Related News

  • 7-year-old found dead in Lakshmipur madrasah bathroom; teacher detained as suspected murderer
  • Lakshmipur BNP factional clash: Case filed against 186 over expat's death, 16 leaders expelled
  • 3 fined for hunting monitor lizards in Lakshmipur, 6 monitor lizards released
  • Savings certificate scam: 7, including postmaster, sued in Lakshmipur for embezzling Tk34 lakh 
  • Woman critically injured after alleged attack by husband while she was asleep

Brick kilns eating up arable lands in Lakshmipur

People of Lakshmipur are blaming some organisations including the Noakhali office of the Department of Environment and the Department of Agricultural Extension for giving approval for setting up these brick kilns

Sana Ullah Sanu
14 March, 2021, 11:45 am
Last modified: 14 March, 2021, 11:49 am

It is illegal to set up brick kilns on arable land, but in Lakshmipur, kilns are not only built on farmlands, they are also consuming fertile topsoil from the cultivable lands surrounding them. 

As a result, agricultural land in the district is shrinking abnormally. Besides, the fume from the brickfields ruining the environment and the trucks and tractors carrying the soil and bricks are damaging rural roads there.

People of Lakshmipur, a small agricultural district in the southern part of the country, are blaming some organisations including the Noakhali regional office of the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for giving approval for setting up these brick kilns. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Farmers affected by the brickfields said after the kiln owners cut soil from a piece of land, the surrounding lands get elevated and cannot hold water. During the rainy season, water washes down soil from the elevated farmlands to the low lands belonging to the kilns. So, one brick kiln ruins all the arable land surrounding it and the farmers are forced to sell their topsoil, and often the whole land to the kiln owners.

According to the information of the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act-2019, no brick kiln can be built on arable land, kept or established near upazila, union or rural roads made by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). It also prohibits wood burning at kilns. But the brick kiln owners are breaking almost all these rules in Lakshmipur, alleged local people. 

The purpose of the law was to reduce the number of burnt bricks to zero, but every year the brick kilns are increasing in Lakshmipur. 

No one has any statistics on the demand for bricks in a year in the five upazilas in Lakshmipur and how many kilns are required for meeting the demand there. 

According to the Deputy Commissioner's Office and the DAE in the district, there were 75 brickfields in the district in 2016. But by the beginning of 2021, the number stood at 130. In other words, 11 brickfields were set up in the district every year on an average.

There are 68 kilns in Sadar upazila, 21 in Ramganj, 23 in Ramgati, 13 in Kamalnagar and 5 in Raipur. Although the district administration allows maximum 3 acres of land for setting up brickfields, the owners of the kilns are occupying at least 9-10 acres. That means about 1,000 acres of land have been occupied by the brickfields in the district, alleged the local people. 

During visits to the area, nine brick kilns were found in village Andharmanik of Tewariganj union under Sadar upazila alone. Although the whole union is an agricultural area, there are 19 kilns in this union in total. 

Besides, nothing but brick kilns are visible in the Bhabaniganj, Mandari, Darbeshpur and Char Ramiz unions of the district. The villagers said all those unions had arable lands. 

Asked how much soil is used for making bricks every year, Solaiman, a kiln manager in Sadar upazila, said it usually takes around 0.085 cubic feet soil to make a raw brick, but it may vary according to the size of the brick. 

From October to April every year, bricks are burned in at least eight rounds in each kiln. Around 10 lakh bricks are burned in each round. 

According to Solaiman, at least 80 lakh bricks are burned in a single kiln every year, so about 100 crore bricks are made for 130 brickfields in Lakshmipur district annually.

According to Solaiman's estimation around 7 crore cubic feet of soil is used for making bricks in the district. 

Several other brick kiln managers and brick makers gave similar information.

They further said the number of bricks burnt was supposed to be written in the register book, but the owners of the kilns did not write the actual number to evade VAT. So, the actual amount of soil used in brickfields can be as large as 11 crore cubic feet.

Abdul Baten, a vegetable farmer from village Char Mansa in Bhabaniganj union of Sadar upazila, said there is a brick kiln next to his farmland. The kiln burns bricks there and emits smoke day and night. The horrible sound of soil-carrying tractors on every earthen and paved road in the village can be heard from dawn till late at night. The villagers are completely helpless in this situation.

"At least 30-40 tractors carrying soil enter each kiln every day. It seems like a festival of cutting off soil is going on all over the brick kilns and the surrounding villages," he said.

Siraj Uddin, a resident of Tewariganj union, said some of the brick kilns are legal on paper with all the approvals like DoE's clearance, agriculture department clearance, fire service clearance, BSTI etc. The kilns which are operating without such clearances are illegal. But the process of making bricks, the place where the kilns are set up, the use of fuel, and the process of collecting soil are all illegal.

Arifur Rahman from the same area alleged, "The DoE is giving clearance without any inspection, while the DAE is giving clearance to these brickfields by showing 3 acres of farmlands as barren. This is completely illegal."

Requesting anonymity, a worker of JB Brick Kiln in Bhabaniganj union of Sadar Upazila, said profits from brick manufacturing are huge. That is why some people are desperate to set up brick kilns and they are increasing every year.

According to him, most of the soil traders and owners of kilns are affiliated with one or another political party and some of them are people's representatives. Identified goons in the villages are also involved in buying and selling land. Many traders are forcibly setting up kilns on farmers' lands and collecting soil. Many brick makers are also terrorising the ordinary people.

Kader, a resident of Torabganj village in Kamalnagar, said, "Last year, many trees in my house died because of the smoke emitted from a brick kiln next to the house. I filed a case against the kiln owner, but the relevant offices and the court seems to be in favour of the accused. The brick kiln owners are managing everything overnight with cash." 

Lutfur Rahman, headmaster of the Dakkhin Andharmanik High School, said the elderly persons and children often face accidents due to the reckless movement of soil-carrying tractors and pickup vans.

Ahmed Zakaria, a victim of the brick kilns, recently sent a written complaint to the deputy commissioner of Lakshmipur about destroying crop lands and violence committed by brick kiln owners and land brokers.

In addition, the local people have given memorandums to the deputy commissioner at different times, formed human chains under the banner of the card-holding farmers, and held rallies but did not see any result.

Md Ismail Hossain Sabuj, general secretary of the environment organisation Sabuj Bangladesh, said, "In addition to damaging the soil and the environment, the brick kilns also exploit labourers and often employ child labourers. Most countries in the world now do not use burnt bricks. Everyone, including government institutions, must quickly resort to using alternatives of burnt bricks."

Md Shah Alam Patwari, executive engineer of the LGED in Lakshmipur, complained that the rural roads do not sustain due to brick kilns. 

"There is no rule for setting up brickfields beside any road built by the LGED, but how can we stop it? There is no representative of the LGED in the committee responsible for approving the brick kilns," he added.

There is no office of the Department of Environment in Lakshmipur district. The Noakhali district office of the DoE looks after the environmental issues of Lakshmipur district. Officials of the DoE office in Noakhali refused to say anything about allegedly giving environmental clearances without inspecting the site or following the regulation.

Tanjid Tareq, assistant director at the DoE in Noakhali, said the concerned deputy commissioner knows everything. "We give information to the deputy commissioner and we are not obliged to give information to anyone else," the DoE official said.

Asked about giving clearance to brick kilns which violate laws, Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner Anwar Hossain Akand said, "I started a campaign against various irregularities in brick kilns immediately after assuming office in the district and I will continue it." 

"The district administration has fixed that no brickfield can have more than 3 acres of land. Land exceeding this limit will not be allowed to be used for brick kilns under any circumstances," he said.

He said he was also looking into other irregularities in the brick kilns. 

Bangladesh / Top News

Brick kilns / Lakshmipur / arable lands

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Showkat Aziz Russell, Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Razeeb Haider. Photos: Collected
    Business leaders decry ‘economic assassination’ amid crippling gas crisis
  • A BNP delegation led by senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain meets with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during a meeting at Guest State House Jamuna on 24 May 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stalemate over election: Resolving or deepening?
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. File Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA meeting with BNP, Jamaat, NCP and 20 others: What was said

MOST VIEWED

  • Infographic: TBS
    New transport strategy for Dhaka seeks to promote walking, cycling
  • Representational image: Collected
    Minimum tax may rise to Tk5,000 for individuals, Tk1,000 for new filers
  • File photo of Sajib Barai. Photo: TBS
    Barishal medical student ends life after citing 'excessive academic pressure'
  • FIre service officials taking the bodies after a truck hitting a motorcycle in Banani left two people killed on the spot on 25 May 2025. Photo: TBS
    2 killed after truck hits motorcycle in Banani
  • Ports crippled as NBR officials escalate protests, threaten full trade halt
    Ports crippled as NBR officials escalate protests, threaten full trade halt
  • BNP senior leaders and CA at Jamuna on 24 May evening. Photo: CA Press Wing
    Talks with CA: BNP calls for swift completion of reforms for elections in Dec, removal of 'controversial' advisers

Related News

  • 7-year-old found dead in Lakshmipur madrasah bathroom; teacher detained as suspected murderer
  • Lakshmipur BNP factional clash: Case filed against 186 over expat's death, 16 leaders expelled
  • 3 fined for hunting monitor lizards in Lakshmipur, 6 monitor lizards released
  • Savings certificate scam: 7, including postmaster, sued in Lakshmipur for embezzling Tk34 lakh 
  • Woman critically injured after alleged attack by husband while she was asleep

Features

The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

1h | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

7h | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

8h | Wheels
The well has a circular opening, approximately ten feet wide. It is inside the house once known as Shakti Oushadhaloy. Photo: Saleh Shafique

The last well in Narinda: A water source older and purer than Wasa

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

How the small country in South America has become the subject of research.

How the small country in South America has become the subject of research.

23m | Others
All Israeli armored brigades are now deployed in Gaza

All Israeli armored brigades are now deployed in Gaza

1h | TBS World
India-Pakistan, China-Iran; Why is everyone pulling the Taliban closer?

India-Pakistan, China-Iran; Why is everyone pulling the Taliban closer?

1h | Others
News of The Day, 25 MAY 2025

News of The Day, 25 MAY 2025

3h | TBS News of the day
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net