The Negative Effects of Brick Kilns on Climate and Environment: A Socio-Legal Study in Paikgacha Upazilla of Bangladesh

Brick industry has been an integral part of Bangladesh’s growth since the construction flourishing of the last decade. But government of Bangladesh has found it tough to control the brick industry in Bangladesh. Around 90% of the 8500 brick kilns in the country are Fixed Chimney Kilns (FCKs). FCKs consume more coal, emit more particulate matter(PM), and generate more sulphur dioxide(SO2)than modern Improved Zigzag Kilns (IZKs) or Hybrid Hoffman Kilns (HHKs). The government of Bangladesh has taken actions to move away from FCKs to adapt modern and cleaner technologies. However, the transition is capital exhaustive and owners are unwilling. The purpose of this study is to explore environmental effects of brick kilns and assess the environmental laws in Bangladesh. Paikgacha Upazila of Khulna district has been selected as the study area because of its rapidly varying population density, socioeconomic crisis, industrial and environmental concerns etc. At present, 26brick kilns are located in the study area. This findings of the study is based on selected respondents’ perception on the change ofclimate and environment as well ason the assessment of the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kilns Establishment Control Act, 2013, the Environment Conservation Act,1995, theEnvironment Court Act, 2010, Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Act, 2010, Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, 2009, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100etc. From the study, it is found that most of the brick kilns of the study area are located near agricultural lands and residential areas which are responsible for loss of agricultural production, fish cultivation, local community’s health problems and violating climate and environmental laws toa great extent. Improving brick productiontechnology, development of existing related laws and proper implementation ofthese lawsmay be the best recommendation for the betterment of climate and environment as well as to achieve the goal no. 13 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.