Environmentalists said if the use of firewood continued unabated in the brickfields the vast natural forests of Khagrachhari will disappear in near future.

Around 1.5 crore mounds of firewood are used in 30 brickfields in the hill district a year violating rules, sources said.

Forests in Khagrachhari are shrinking as brickfield owners fell trees indiscriminately for firewood for their industries threatening the environment.

Almost all of the 30 brickfields use timber instead of coal taking full advantage of the indifference of the authorities concerned to the problems.

Of the 30 brickfiels, five are in Khagrachhari Sadar, eight in Matiranga upazila, three in Mohalchhari upazila, three in Manikchhari upazila, four in Dighinala upazila, two in Panchhari upazila, one in Laxmichhari upazila and four in Rangour upazila, district administration sources said.

Of them, 17 brickfield owners have license while 12 others are operating illegally, said district magistrate Kamrul Hasan.

The Department of Environment (D0E), however, said only two brickfield owners have valid document and license.

At least six crore trees are axed in Khagrachhari during the winter season only, a recent survey reveals.

"At least 20,000 mounds of firewood are required in each brickfield for every single production time while most of the brickfields usually go for producing bricks eight times a year," sources said quoting the survey.

They said a large portion of the firewood collected from Khagrachhari is also used in Fatikchhari, Rangunia, Raozan upazilas and the town.

The brickfield owners cut down more than two crore trees in collaboration with a section of dishonest officials and employees of the Forest Department, sources said.

Besides, most of the brickfields are using only 25 to 30 feet high chimneys violating the rules of 120 feet, said environmentalists Pradip Chowdhury and Bitan Barua.

Pradip, also the programme supervisor of Centre for Sustainable Development (CFSD), said the overall environment of Khagrachhari has been under threat due to gradual disappearance of 'worthy' forests.

"To stop the freestyle use of firewood and force the owners to use coal as fuel for their brickfields we are contemplating legal actions," said Abu Daud, president of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA) in Khagrachhari.

Magistrate Kamrul Hasan said they will form a mobile court to investigate the firewood and chimney issues.