 AKSHAY AZAD
JAMMU, Feb 17: The blatant violation of environment norms by 670 brick kilns, operating across Jammu and Kashmir is only corroborating the fact that infringement of environment norms in this sensitive state is the most easy thing to do.
Sources informed Early Times that not even a single brick kiln operating in the state is properly following the guidelines issued by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
"Presently there are over 670 brick kilns operating in the state, with 294 in Jammu province and 376 in Kashmir region. As per SPCB guidelines, there should be green belt consisting of three rows of evergreen broad leaved trees around the periphery of each brick kiln, but not even a single brick kiln has made such arrangement", sources said.
They further said that a brick kiln could not be established in agriculture land but there were hundreds of brick kilns presently installed in most fertile agricultural area of Jammu district. "There are 153 brick kilns presently operating in Jammu district alone and most of which are in irrigated agricultural areas of Jammu district including RS Pura, Bishnah, Badyal Brahmana, Akhnoor, Mishriwalla, Marh block beside other places which is another violation of norms", sources said.
As per the guidelines the nearest residential area, habitation, health care establishment, educational institution should be 500 meters from a brick kiln but again same is being violated since last many years.
A High Court advocate Rinku Sharma said that in his native village Dhangari of district Rajouri, 4 brick kilns are exist in the heart of said village, with habitation of more than 10,000 souls. "All the four brick kilns are within the circumference of 2 kilometers with five schools including one higher secondary, 2 high schools. After the constant struggle of villagers against the brick kilns, the PCB authorities had declared all the brick kilns as illegal and ordered for their closure, but till date all are operating", he said.
Criticizing the state government as well as law enforcing agencies, Sharma alleged that there was big nexus between the brick kiln owners and state government due to which no action has been taken against any violator.
Another advocate said that in spite of planting trees in the premises the brick kiln owners were indulged in green felling for firewood. "Not a single brick kiln operator is following the guidelines of PCB but all are mute over these violations as huge amount of money is involved. It is also very disgusting that the SPCB has not even mentioned their guidelines online on their website" he said, adding that it was also done only to escape from questioning by common citizens. He further said that if the SPCB authorities and state government would take strict action against the violators then all the brick kilns would be closed.
Acknowledging the facts, SPCB officiating Chairman Arun Kumar Tikoo said that the New Brick Kiln Act came into force in year 2010, according to which the brick kilns established till 2010 in J&K, were not adhering to said guidelines of Act. He further said that a time limit till year 2015 has been given to all brick kiln owners for making arrangements as per guidelines.
Tikoo further said that the Assembly Committee on Environment has also taken strong exception to the violation of guidelines by brick kilns, after field surveys. The committee is likely to submit their recommendations to government, following which action would be taken.
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