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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Effect of brick kiln on arable land degradation, environmental pollution and consequences on livelihood of Bangladesh
Journal of Science Technology and Environment Informatics, Vol.6(2), pp.474-488
2019
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Abstract
A total of one hundred and twenty-one brick kilns have been surveyed to assess the effects of brick kiln in land degradation and environmental pollution. Brick kiln owners and or surrounding farmers of the associated brick kilns has been interviewed through a pre-structured questionnaire. The survey area covered eighty-six Upazila’s (sub-districts) under forty-eight districts throughout Bangladesh. Most of the brick kilns are using coal as fuel. Forest woods were used in 18% of the brick kilns. Surveyed brick kilns are situated within 3-20 km from the Upazila Headquarters (HQs) and 2m-2km from the nearest homesteads. The average distance between brick kilns and nearest homesteads is about ½ km (570 m) and the same between brick kilns and Upazila HQs is about 7.36km. About 58% (69 of 121) brick kilns were found approved by the competent authority but 18% (21 of 121) had no approval. 21% brick kiln owners did not disclose government approval status; which is unethical and violation of Brick Making and Establishment of Kilns (Control) Law 2013. Nearby farmers reported adverse effect of brick kilns on homestead plantation and field crops. They also reported that bearing of fruit trees is hampered; immature fruits are damaged, less fruiting in vegetables.
Capacity of the surveyed brick kilns was found ranged from 0.45 million to as high as 0.78 million bricks per year. The average capacity was 2.89 million bricks per year and the total production per annum were 31.70 million bricks. Bangladesh produces 50 billion bricks per year. Use of quality topsoil of agricultural land as raw material for bricks is a substantial environmental and economic concern as evidenced from results of brick kiln survey. The government decided to prohibit previously profitable brick exports to neighboring country India as per law of the lands, which was a competent decision.
Mostly fertile topsoil of agricultural land is exploited for making bricks. On an average 3 kilogram soil is required to make a brick. 150 billion kg soil is required to produce 50 billion bricks per annum in Bangladesh. One-hectare up to furrow slice, i.e. 0-10 cm contains 2X106 kg of soil. Bangladesh cannot afford losing huge amount fertile topsoil every year. This would certainly lead food insecurity and vulnerable livelihood, apart from arable lands degradation and environmental deterioration of the country.
Details
- Title
- Effect of brick kiln on arable land degradation, environmental pollution and consequences on livelihood of Bangladesh
- Creators
- M. A. Hossain - Soil Resource Development Institute (Bangladesh)A. M. Zahid - Soil Resource Development Institute (Bangladesh)M. Arifunnahar - Soil Resource Development Institute (Bangladesh)M. N.A. Siddique - Soil Resource Development Institute (Bangladesh)
- Publication Details
- Journal of Science Technology and Environment Informatics, Vol.6(2), pp.474-488
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- Authors are grateful to the Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh to enable them with funding and supports to conduct the study through different district offices of SRDI.
- Identifiers
- 991013310121602368
- Copyright
- © 2019, Hossain et al.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article