It is good that the operations of the unlicensed brick kilns in the vicinity of Srinagar Airport (8 Km radius) have been banned because smoke emanating from these units badly hampered the flight operations besides degrading the air quality. This is not the first time that such an order has been put in place because in 2019 also the court had restricted the operations of brick kilns in the vicinity of Srinagar Airport. Looking at the seriousness of the problem, there is a dire need that the working of brick kilns should be regulated not only in Srinagar but across the Union Territory as sadly these are the major contributors to climate change, and a significant source of CO2 emissions, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and short-lived climate pollutants.
There is a real urgency to curb the on-going harmful effects on the environment by antiquated and highly polluting brick kilns which operate in different parts of the Union Territory as one can see smoke billowing out from these units off and on telling the sordid tale of addition of pollutants in atmosphere without any hindrance or a guilt on the part of those operating these units. Bricks are the oldest and most used building materials.
Even though easy access to brick clay and a simple manufacturing process, brick manufacturing is recognized as the principal pollutant generators that are affecting the surrounding area by producing particulate matter and the environment by emitting greenhouse gases. By temporarily stopping the operations of brick kilns in a particular area will not serve the purpose as the case of these smoke emanating units is gravely serious and that is the reason that a permanent solution should be considered so that the brick kilns can continue their operations but without billowing out harmful smoke.
By leveraging technology in the right direction, this goal could be achieved and therefore the government should mull on this aspect rather than taking temporary steps which are not long lasting and practicable. As it is not expected from the brick kiln industry to take the initiative, therefore the government should help them to introduce technically feasible solutions that allow the brick manufacturing but stops the harmful smoke from coming out of these units untreated and unrefined.
