Statesman News Service
MALDA, 10 FEB: Smoke from burning bricks in kilns across Malda has severely affected mango cultivation across the district.
Farmers fear that their orchards will suffer “black tip of mango disease” and production will be hampered due to the heavy smoke.
Recently farmers from Kaliachak-II, Ratua , Gazole and other blocks lodged complaints against brick kiln owners with the district horticulture department.
Farmers alleged that despite several requests to the block development officers, local police stations and the block land and land reforms officers no action has been taken against brick kiln owners despite an order of the High Court.
Finally they lodged complaints with the district horticulture department seeking administrative helps.
Mr Subodh Misra, secretary of the Malda Mango Merchants’ Association, said: “Many farmers from Bangitola and Rajnagar in Kailachak-II came to me and requested that I take steps against the brick kiln owners. Despite several requests, following High Court orders, to the local administration like BLLRO, BDO and police station nothing has been done against the influential brick businessmen”.
“We are helpless. I have to quite the post of the association when I could not do anything for them”, said Mr Misra.
The district horticulture officer Mr Goutam Roy admitted the problem of mango farmers and said: “We have informed the matter to the concerned district administrative officer to take necessary action against the brick kiln owners”.
According to Mr Roy, mangoes will sustain black spot due to carbon monoxide and sulfur monoxide that are released thorough smoke from brick kilns located close to the mango orchards in many areas of this district. The fruits that get the spots will eventually rot.
Mr Roy also pointed out: “There are a huge number of traditional brick kilns (Bangla It Bhaata) without chimneys. These are harmful to mango production. A few brick kilns use chimneys following the guidelines of the pollution control board”.
According to the horticulture department, high court has a standing order to stop brick kilns during mango seasons until its harvesting period is over.
The local BDO and BLLRO have given permission to the traditional brick kilns in this district and pollution control board monitors whether the owners follow proper systems.
The additional district magistrate (land reforms) Mr K N Dew said: “Ten days ago I got a complaint from horticulture department and already we have taken action against the brick kiln owner in Gazole”.
“I do not have complaints from Kaliachak-II and Ratua. I must look into the matter after talking to the concerned BLLROs”.
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