Government Bans Most Brick Kilns in Savar to Curb Air Pollution

The Department of Environment has issued a circular, signed by Director General Md Kamruzzaman on Sunday, announcing new restrictions on industrial activities in Savar, the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry said in a press release on Monday.

Under the directive, all types of brick kilns in Savar — except tunnel kilns and hybrid Hoffman kilns — will be prohibited from operating starting this September, including brick firing and production activities.

The circular also bans open burning of solid waste, the granting of location and environmental clearances for new industries with potential to cause air pollution, and other activities outlined in the government’s environmental action plan.

Data from the Department of Environment’s Continuous Air Monitoring Stations indicate that Savar’s annual average concentration of ambient air pollutants is nearly three times higher than the national standard, posing serious health risks to residents.

During the dry season, prevailing winds from the northwest and northeast carry pollutants from Savar into Dhaka, further worsening air quality and creating significant health hazards for the capital’s dense population.

The government hopes that the new restrictions will play a key role in reducing air pollution in both Savar and Dhaka, thereby safeguarding public health, the press release added.