The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has instructed deputy commissioners (DCs) to take steps to evict grabbers from forest land and close illegal brick kilns.

The instruction was given at the first session on the second day of the DC conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Wednesday, January 19. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin told reporters about it after the session.

The working session of the DCs was held with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam.

The minister said the environment and forest ministry has a lot of work: protecting forests, the environment and biodiversity, and guarding against the adverse effects of climate change, all of which need a great deal of help from the DCs. "We have given them directions on this," he said.

He said the DCs would take the necessary steps to stop the cutting of hillocks and hills and the felling of trees to protect the environment. "We have asked for their help so that no illegal occupier can grab forest land, and to close illegal brick kilns. We have also spoken to them about wildlife conservation and biodiversity. DCs' help is needed in every area, so we have sought their full cooperation."

Asked whether he had given the DCs any direction on protecting forest land, the minister said the target is to build up 16 per cent forest cover by 2030. "To achieve the SDGs we have to show 16 per cent forest cover, and we have sought the DCs' help for this. At present there is 14.1 per cent forest. In social forestry we are already above 22 per cent."

He added that the ministry had written to the DCs about recovering occupied forest land. "We sought their help earlier to recover how much forest land is occupied in which place, which area and which mouza. They have the list; we have delivered it to every district, and they are helping us."

When his attention was drawn to the fact that DCs often face obstacles in evicting illegal brick kilns because influential people own them, the environment minister said the government has planned to make blocks instead of bricks. "By 2025, government buildings must use 100 per cent block bricks, and a notification has been issued on this. When we move to 100 per cent blocks, brick kilns will close by themselves. We do not think the DCs will face any problem in shutting illegal brick kilns. The police administration will be with them, so we do not expect any problem."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.