Raj Kumar Parajuli

Kavre, February 1

The Royal Nepal Army has been given the responsibility to shift some of the brick kilns that had been asked to shift last year by the government.

According to available records, four brick kilns of Bhakunde Beensi—Chandika, Bajreshwor, Shivashakti and Ugratara and one each of Janagal—Chandeshwori and Paanchkhal—Palanchowk were fined Rs 0.2 million by the government for being illegal. But since then, political backing has made them stay on.

Ranadhoj Limbu, brigadier of No 9 Brigade at Bhakunde Beensi said that the kilns were being shifted due to the rising pollution in the area, affecting the health of locals. Moreover, they were being run illegally, he added.

He said that the kilns were adversely affecting the health of the locals as well as the army situated in the area. CDO Shambhu Koirala said that action would be taken against any illegal worker and the brick kilns would be shifted at any cost. The process has already started, he said.

Apparently, many letters has been sent asking the proprietor of the brick kiln to shift the kiln, without any result. Locals of Bhakunde Beensi had filed reports against brick kilns with the district administration office after hearing that the RNA would help them shift the kilns. According to locals, the Pashupati Stone and Pebble Factory has also been a hazard to the health of the locals and a case has been filed against it also. The CDO and DSP went for a site visit to the kilns last week.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by Bhakunde Beensi Environment Conservation Ad Hoc Committee stated that the kilns, which do not agree with environment-friendly measures, are playing with the lives of thousands of locals living in the area.