A feed mill (marked X) set up in a residential area of Roghunathpur in Pirganj municipality under Thakurgaon district runs in full swing, troubling the nearby people with noise, dust and odour. PHOTO: STAR

Surprisingly though, the Department of Environment (DoE) has provided Environmental Clearance Certificate for operation of a feed mill at a residential area of Roghunathpur in Pirganj municipality under the district.
The sound, dust and bad smell from the feed mill poses health hazard to the nearby residents as the mill, which produces poultry, fish and dairy feeds, is now operating in full swing.
Locals said they submitted complaints to the mayor of Pirganj municipality, local lawmaker, upazila nirbahi officer, deputy commissioner (DC) of Thakurgaon, director general of the DoE and secretary of the Ministry of Forest and Environment.
But the feed mill beside Shaheed Professor Golam Mostafa Road behind Miraz Poultry Feed shop in Pirganj municipality has already got all the necessary clearance certificates for operation from the municipality and the DoE.
Two rice and wheat husking mills and a chilli crushing mill are also running near the feed mill.
"We filed complaints to different departments after construction work of the feed mill started in February this year," said Md Asaduzzaman, a resident next to the feed mill.
Receiving complaint, Pirganj municipality Mayor Md Raziur Rahman issued letters on April 21, and then on May 16, asking the feed mill owner to stop construction work of the mill in the residential area.
But the municipality authority gave no objection certificate (NOC) to set up the mill in July without mentioning date and the feed mill owner started its operation partially with illegal electric connection on July 31 and got electricity connection officially from Pirganj Palli Bidyut Samity on November 1.
On August 27, Ali Reza Mojid, director of Bogra regional office of DoE, provided Environmental Clearance Certificate for operation of the mill.
Rezaul Islam Reju, 46, Toriqul Islam, 52, residents of adjoining areas of the feed mill, said they face sound pollution and breathing problem due to sound pollution and bad smell and flying dust from poultry, fish and diary feed.
Rezaul Karim Raza, Mayor of Pirganj municipality, told this correspondent over cell phone, "I gave NOC to the mill mentioning that it can run if it does not cause environment pollution. Mainly it depends on Directorate of Environment as they are supposed to give clearance of operation."
When contacted, Director of Environment of Bogra Regional Office Ali Reza Mojid told this correspondent over cell phone, "We provided Environmental Clearance Certificate as the investigation report showed the area as fixed industrial area and municipality mayor also gave NOC."
Rezaul Karim Raja, owner of Miraz Feed Mill, told this correspondent over cell phone, "I have decided to set up the feed mill here as several rice, wheat husking mills and a chili husking mill have been running in the area for years. I have taken measure for dust collection and so, the environment will not be polluted."