Supreme Court orders closure of brick kilns in Panchkhal

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 21:The Supreme Court has ordered the closure of brick kilns operating in Panchkhal Municipality Ward Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 12 of Kavrepalanchowk district, citing serious impact on the environment and public health.

The Supreme Court issued the order after hearing a writ petition filed by locals.

On March 25, a bench of Supreme Court Justices Hari Prasad Phuyal and Sharanga Subedi ruled in favour of the petition seeking closure of the brick kiln.

Eleven locals, including local activist Shree Krishna Dhimal, had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court on December 30, 2019, naming Panchkhal Municipality, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Education, Department of Archaeology as defendants.

The writ petition alleged that the operation of the brick kiln without meeting the standards had increased pollution, that the excavation of soil used by the brick kilns was a risk of destroying ancient monuments and archaeological objects, and that it had a serious impact on agricultural production and the health of the locals.

The writ petitioner also stated that Panchkhal has been important from a religious and historical perspective since the Kirat and Lichchhavi periods, and such industries would destroy archaeological artifacts.

The brick kiln operating near the Shree Bhubaneshwori Basic School, Panchkhal Municipality-12, Aanpghari, is directly affecting the health of students.

The brick industries, including Himalayan Multipurpose Company Pvt. Ltd., Navadurga Bhawani Brick Industry, Upakar Chimni Brick Industry, Jay Bhimsen Brick Industry, Bir Hanuman Brick Factory, Palanchowk Bhawani Fix Chimni Industry, Suvarneshwari Brick Industry, Palanchowk Bhagwati Brick Factory are in operation.

All these industries are operated in operating in the areas with agricultural areas, densely populated areas, forests, schools, rivers, archaeological sites, ponds and temples.

Meanwhile, issuing a press statement recently, Panchkhal Municipality has adopted a policy to operate industries, including brick kilns with reform approaches by formulating an environmental policy.