Mindless date tree felling for burning bricks
Date trees have been declining fast due to its random use in the brick kilns of the district, thanks to the authorities’ ignorance of the matter.
Huge number of trees are being felled indiscriminately for burning bricks in the brick fields, but local administration remains silent in this regard due to some unknown reasons, said locals.
If the situation goes unbridled like this, the trees will be extinct one day, they said.
Contacted, the Department of Agricultural Extension (AED) in Jhenidah could not give detail statistics of date trees. But a large number of trees are being felled indiscriminately for burning bricks in the kilns.
According to Jhenidah District Nazir office, there are 26 registered and 126 unregistered brick kilns in the district.
On a recent visit to some brick kilns in the district, this correspondent found huge quantity of date tress piled up on the each brick kiln premises. The trees are being used as fuel for burning bricks.
Pintu Hossain, manager of HMBM Brick Kiln in Kaliganj upazila of the district, said they purchase date trees at Tk 75 per maund.
He further said around 30,000 maunds are needed to burn one lakh bricks. A single brick kiln can produce three to four lakh bricks in each season.
Arman Ali, a resident of Enayetpur village in Kaliganj upazila, said they sell date trees at a high price.
Abdur Razzak Nasim, executive director of Swadhin Jibon Paribesh Sangstha in Sirajganj, said trees give oxygen. Birds live on taking date juice in winter. It is very nutritious as well. It also protects people from various diseases.
Apart from this, birds and other animals take shelter on the date trees, said the environmental activist.
Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not reach Moniruzzaman, additional deputy commissioner (ADC Revenue) of the district, for his comment in this regard.
At one stage, the ADC switched off his cellphone after a message was forwarded to him.
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