Merina Chishi Soho
Dimapur | June 10
Several hundreds of people living in the vicinity of the brick kilns in Dimpaur are facing serious health hazards due to massive pollution. Toxic black smoke emitted from the brick kiln chimneys is polluting the local environment and causing respiratory disease among locals living in the proximity, it is being reported. Most of the brick kilns are located in Khushiabill, Doragapathar, Ekranipathar, Zani,Toluvi and other surrounding villages in the outskirts of Dimapur.
According to local sources, the area holds at least 60 brick kilns posing great environment and health hazards. No stringent laws or proper implementation of environment laws have led to the area and its people being exposed to health hazards as well as damage to the environment.
It is being reported that many people residing in the area have begun to notice “sinus” related problems among the populace. Having ignored signs in the past, residents there are now complaining of different sorts of respiratory problems. It is affecting both young and old; not sparing even babies.
According to one mother, her 6 year old daughter gets up with a blocked nose every day. She initially thought it was the weather, but soon realised her child was not the only one with the problem. Other children in the area also began to exhibit similar problems. She expressed concern that her daughter would contract severe respiratory disease in future.
Similarly, an aged man said that he cannot step out of his house without wearing a mask over his nose. Plague with the problem of his sinus for years, smoke from the brick kilns has only made it worse for him. He also pointed out that when he first moved to the area some twenty years back, the air was clean but now it is difficult to breathe especially during the peak season. Brick kilns generally operate during winter months, from October to March. Other problems common among residents here are nose and eye allergies.
In Kushiabill, one brick kiln was seen located in the backyard of a private residence. Another house in Doragapathar was located only about 50 feet away from the brick kiln. “Some of them are located too close. It is not only affecting our health but also our crops,” a member of the family said. Residents of Zane village also complained of damaged crops and fruits. A lady complained that last winter her mustard leaves badly affected.
“I noticed black dust on the leaves every morning,” she said; adding she did consume the vegetable after washing thoroughly without considering the health hazards.
In spite of the problem, there is prevailing silence on the issue as there is reported nexus between some brick kiln owner and anti- social elements. Sparsely inhabited till a few years back, several brick kilns have mushroomed in most of these places. Residents wonder how licences are being issued to those brick kilns that are located close to private residences. With the problem getting aggravated, residents here feel that brick kiln owners and the concerned department need to take corrective measures to ensure safety of the people living in the area.