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| Unauthorized kilns posing threat to environment | | |
Gulzar Razvi
Srinagar, July4
The increasing number of brick kilns in the residential areas of the valley, are posing a serious threat to the environment and the natural habitat.
The rapid growth of the brick kilns is taking heavy toll of the fertile agriculture land particularly in the central district of Budgam. The district is fast becoming a hub for the brick kilns, majority of them are functioning without a proper permission of the authorities. The areas which are bearing the brunt of these kilns include Dadina, Nasrullahpora, Sholipora and the adjoining villages. People from these villages are suffering from various ailments like skin diseases, chest infections and asthama. Dr Abdul Majeed attributes these diseases to the toxic gases which are emanating from the brick kilns. He said "the poisonous gases have polluted the environment of the otherwise very beautiful villages. I examine atlease three patients a day suffering from skin rashes and elderly patients get chest and other infections."
The number of brick kilns have increased from 50 in 2000 to 175 till this year and 80 per cent of them are running illegally without any permission and certificate from the concerned department. Abdul Samad of revenue department said" Every day there are about five to six new kilns being established without any permission. We are surprised that how the authorities and concerned departments are closing their eyes towards these unauthorised units."
When this correspondent asked the pollution control board officials about the mushroom growth of the brick kilns in the residential areas, the officials admitted that there are only 40 per cent units which have been issued clearance certificates and the rest are unauthorised. The concerned officials of the department put the blame on the government for not having the powers to implement the set criteria and norms. Muhammad Maqbool the legal advisor of the pollution board said, "We have made it clear that there should be proper distance from local habitat, provisions on concrete chimney and shuttling basin should be adhered to and the land where the unit is to be established should not be irrigational land". "The problem we face is that we cannot implement these on our own because we do not have the powers. People do not come to us to obtain clearance certificate but they approach us only when they seek financial help from the financial institutions who direct them to obtain clearance certificate from pollution control board. We have been made a certificate issuing department and nothing much." he lamented.
Besides, harming environment and the habitat the unauthorised brick kiln owners are having a monopoly of the trade and it has become impossible for the common masses to buy the bricks for the construction. It must be mentioned here that the rate fixed by the divisional commissioner is 1800 rupees per 1000
bricks but the actual rate which is prevalent is more than 5000 rupees per 1000 bricks.
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