BOKO: The JBI Brick Industry in Neuldoba, under the Chamaria Revenue Circle, has been criticized and put under intense scrutiny amid local resident complaints on environmental damage and government regulatory breach.
Even though it had been temporarily shut down recently during the monsoon season, brick-making activities have again resumed and raised a cloud of concerns among the people of the area.
Residents, especially in Neuldoba, are suffering from acute air pollution, especially at night, which is causing respiratory problems. The Assam Pollution Control Board (PCBA) has a directive for eco-friendly methods of brick-making, but the JBI Brick Industry is accused of violating these norms as it continues to operate without technologies such as zig-zag or vertical shaft kilns.
Besides, the company is said to have obstructed the Mora Kolohi River and damaged the local aquatic ecosystem and wildlife. It also operates in areas prohibited within 500 meters of water bodies, bridges, and schools, contravening all major environmental regulations.
Such grievances against the officials of Bamunigaon, PCBA remain ignored, while Nandan Nilotpal Bhagawati, Revenue Circle Officer at Chamaria advised villagers to write directly to the Deputy Commissioner at Amingaon office, regarding such instances of non-compliance. It has been learnt that child labour has been reported and accordingly, Labour Inspector at Chaygaon made the necessary investigation along with police.
A PCBA awareness meeting was held in August 2024 emphasizing that everyone should respect environmental laws and take up sustainable technologies. Still, the continuous JBI Brick Industry's non-compliance with environmental laws has provoked people in the locality, urging for immediate administrative action to regain their environmental and public health standards.
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