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Illegal Brick Kilns posing serious environment hazards, authorities least bothered to take action

Subodh Bhasin. Dated: 1/12/2018 10:40:09 AM

Subodh Bhasin
Jammu, Jan 11
Brick production is a very large and traditional industry and to a larger extent not only has remain unorganized but also several brick kiln in and around Jammu are operating without following the prescribed norms.
As the demand of bricks has increased manifolds in past decade, brick kiln industry always remains a major contributors to atmospheric pollution in environment. Production of brick blocks brings about environment degradation because of emanation of significant amounts of vaporous and particulate toxins. The production starts from digging of earth and of fired bricks from the kiln are accompanied by generation of dust which leaves the whole nearby and workplace dusty.
Not only this, air pollution in brick kiln is produced both through the stack emission as well as the fugitive emissions. At present 85 brick kilns are operating in Jammu North, 43 in Jammu South, one in Samba North, 48 in Samba South, two in Reasi, 11 in Udhampur, 21 in Rajouri and 42 in Kathua district. All these brick kilns are operating illegally in the absence of environment clearance under EIA Notification 2006 this was disclosed by The District and Divisional Officers in the Division Bench of State High Court.
Taking note of laxity in starting action against the illegal brick kiln, Division Bench of State High Court asked for Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Pollution Control Board.
Such illegal brick kiln operating without the prescribed norms and clearances had caused huge environmental and ecological degradation besides serious hazards to human health. A per the reports these brick kilns are operating without the guidelines of law governing environmental protection especially with regard to environmental clearance under EIA Notification, 2006 and without the consent of the Board under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
Talking to Young Bites correspondent several residents around these brick kiln said that immediate action should be initiated against the illegal Brick kilns as several brick kilns are close to the vicinity of schools, habitations, forests, hospitals etc in violation of rules and were required to be immediately disbanded with action under law against the violators.
Recently even the Division Bench directed Deputy Advocate General, who was appearing for the DMs, to file a compliance report with regard to communication of Pollution Control Board dated December 20, 2017.