The impact of brick kilns on Budgam’s environment and agriculture

Introduction

In an effort to combat air pollution, the Union Environment Ministry issued a notification on February 22, 2022, mandating brick kiln owners to convert to eco-friendly zigzag technology within the next two years. However, according to the J&K Pollution Control Board, only 25% of kilns in Kashmir have adopted this technology. Additionally, in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, air pollution is not the sole issue stemming from this industry that needs addressing. Notably, out of the 280 brick kilns in the area, 232 are officially situated in the Budgam district, occupying 4447 Kanals of fertile agricultural land. These kilns are predominantly located near villages, with some even encroaching upon runway areas against court orders, posing serious threats to vegetation, the horticulture sector, and paddy fields in Budgam.

Although it is illegal to install brick kilns on agricultural land, in Kashmir, particularly in Budgam, kilns are constructed on farmland and contribute to the erosion of fertile topsoil from nearby cultivable areas. Consequently, the district’s agricultural land area is shrinking abnormally. Moreover, Budgam has more kilns than its carrying capacity, resulting in various forms of pollution. The trucks and tractors used to transport soil and bricks deteriorate the roads in the area, while the smoke emitted from the chimneys disrupts the ecosystem. Over the past few decades, lush green agricultural fields have been rapidly converted into brick kilns, flouting environmental and agricultural laws. Government authorities have failed to conduct necessary inspections, with farmers recklessly leasing out their agricultural land, unaware of its adverse effects on the fragile flora and fauna of the district.

The continued neglect by the administration risks turning Budgam into a situation resembling the Chambal Valley. Therefore, administrative measures must be taken, laws need to be enforced on the ground, and eco-friendly and sustainable approaches must be adopted to regulate this sector.

The sustainability of Budgam’s villages is at risk

In past decades, while other districts in the valley were shifting towards the horticulture sector and reaping its benefits, central Kashmir’s Budgam district was enveloped in dust particles due to a significant portion of its land being converted into brick manufacturing units, commonly known as brick kilns. The administration has remained silent and farmers have been reckless. Consequently, vast agricultural lands have been transformed into fields for brick kilns. In Kashmir, the majority of brick kilns are located in Budgam, exceeding its carrying capacity. The continuous operation of these brick kilns on fertile land is eroding the very foundation, the fertile soil, that has sustained local livelihoods for centuries. The consequences of these brick kilns extend beyond immediate environmental impacts to the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the area.

Take the example of Utligam village, where more than six brick kilns have been established within a one-kilometer radius. These kilns are situated on agricultural land (known as “Aabi Awal”) surrounded by densely populated villages. They are depleting fertile soils day and night without any surveillance. The expansion of brick kilns is uncontrolled in the district, endangering fragile ecological balance. The sustainability of such villages is at risk, with far-reaching effects that will not only harm the current generation but also pose challenges for future generations who may inherit degraded environments and depleted soil.

Official data from the DC office in Budgam indicates that out of the 282 brick kilns operating in the Valley, 232 are situated in Budgam district. However, reports suggest that the actual number may be higher. Nonetheless, having 232 kilns concentrated in one district, especially in certain areas, may have far-reaching consequences.

The Jammu and Kashmir Brick Kiln (Regulation) Act 2010

Out of the 232 brick kilns, 86 are operating within an 8km radius of Srinagar airport, depicting their high density. Pertinently, the Court has directed that no kiln should operate within an 8km radius of the runway. The other 146 are operating in other parts of the district, mostly between Budgam and Beerwah. Among these 146 kilns, 124 have expired licenses, and 22 do not have a license.

The J&K Brick Kiln Act was supposed to oversee brick kiln functions in the valley. However, not a single section of it has been implemented. According to the act, the setup of a brick kiln requires permission from 10 departments, including agriculture, irrigation, and health. However, not a single department has been consulted. This raises questions about the administration; how have these kilns been functioning under the nose of the administration for decades now? There has always been backing for them from the administration and other non-state actors over these years; otherwise, it would not be possible for them to operate without permissions on these precious agricultural lands.

One senior lawyer mentioned that during the firing of the brick kiln, the owners are secretly organizing a feast where all the important officials from top to bottom are invited, featuring the traditional culinary delights of wazwan with the motive to keep them in their good books. This secret, hand-in-glove relationship with the administration and the unlawful way of functioning has not only deteriorated the flora and fauna of the area but has also tainted the image of this vital business, being labeled as a mafia.

Impact of brick kilns on Budgam

The study, titled “CULTIVATING INSIGHTS: ANALYSING THE IMPACT OF BRICK KILNS ON AGRICULTURE IN THE VICINITY OF BUDGAM DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR,” investigates the detrimental impact of brick kiln emissions on agriculture in three villages—Panzan, Lalgam, and Sunar-Gund of Chadoora Tehsil in Budgam. When the effects were evaluated using a variety of parameters, it was found that crop yields and rice production had significantly decreased in these villages. Additionally, in all three hamlets, there was a negative impact on the amount of vegetation cover and the growth of agricultural plants. Observations were also made of variations in leaf color, dust accumulation on leaves, and abrupt leaf fall. The results demonstrate that emissions from brick kilns can affect plants’ physiological processes as well as their visual health. Furthermore, it was observed that all villages had declining populations of animals, and a decline in soil microorganisms was documented, indicating the wider ecological effects of brick kiln emissions on soil condition. All three villages reported declines in the amount of land accessible for agriculture as well as overall agricultural activity. This suggests that brick kiln operations have the potential to intrude upon or render areas of land unsuitable for agricultural activity. All the villages expressed concern about the loss of topsoil, which poses a serious threat to the sustainability of agriculture. Additionally, all villages reported fruit falling prematurely from the plants, highlighting the potential influence on fruit development and retention.

Pertinently, the brick kilns are mostly installed between Budgam and Beerwah areas. In Bhatpara village of Budgam, around 14 brick kilns are currently operational, with each occupying approximately 50 Kanals of land minimum. More than 70% of fertile land in this village is occupied by brick kilns, resulting in the devastation of agricultural land. Similar situations exist in dozens of villages in Budgam, such as Nasralpora, Bapat, and Malpora. Brick kiln owners are coercing farmers into giving up their land. Initially, they persuade a few farmers to lease their land. Then, the kiln owners excavate soil from a piece of land, causing nearby fields to become elevated and lose their ability to retain water. During the rainy season, water carries soil from the high farmlands to the low regions used by the kilns, leading to the destruction of fertile ground around the brick kilns. This forces farmers to relinquish their topsoil and often their entire land to the kiln owners. Brick kilns have completely altered the topography of fields in Budgam villages. In some agriculture fields, there are heaps of soil, while other areas have pits formed from excavation. Notably, 40 to 50 cm of topsoil is crucial for agricultural activities. In these villages, this soil is extensively used for making bricks, leaving behind dust that can only be utilized for construction/non-agricultural activities. Brick kilns also affect the quality of nearby fertile areas by continuously releasing heat, which reduces the amount of water that can be stored and diminishes organic carbon and matter, both essential for soil fertility. If digging continues in the same manner for an extended period, such land becomes unsuitable for cultivation, resulting in significant losses.

Recommendations

All these brick kilns are operating under the nose of the administration, but they are not taking any substantial action. The Pollution Control Board is blaming the district administration, while the latter accuses them of these unlawful activities. Similarly, the Agriculture Department is blaming the J&K Pollution Control Board, and so forth. Therefore, it is paramount that the governor’s administration should establish a separate body to oversee the licensing and other parameters of these brick kilns.

Brick kilns established on agricultural land should be demolished and relocated to Banjar land, away from agricultural fields. Similarly, there should be a proper distance advised by researchers between brick kilns.

Brick kilns should not be concentrated in any particular district. There should be clear guidelines for the district administration or any relevant body on the maximum number of brick kilns allowed in a particular district, tehsil, or block. This way, the concentration of brick kilns can be controlled and monitored.

The government should dispatch expert teams to areas affected by brick kiln pollution so they can advise farmers on how to restore the organic materials and nutrient status of the land. The Agricultural and Horticulture Departments have a role to play. They can assist farmers whose land has been degraded due to these brick kilns in utilizing them for horticulture and agriculture farming.

Kashmir is an environmentally fragile place and cannot tolerate traditional kilns, which utilize fixed straight chimney bulls trench where anything from old shoes to animal feces is burnt, emitting black soot and consequently polluting the air. Therefore, the government should encourage brick owners to shift to innovative zigzag technology, which will curb particulate matter emissions and significantly reduce pollution levels.

Conclusion

Research suggests that the environment and agricultural productivity may be at risk even 500–1000 meters away from brick kilns. Consequently, it is advised to refrain from agricultural practices within 500–1000 meters of brick kilns. Consider the severe impact that brick kilns can have on farmland when they are operational. While brick kilns are crucial for meeting the growing demands of construction, it does not imply giving them free rein to operate. Sustainability holds greater significance than anything else, as the future hinges upon it. Hence, no one should be permitted to utilize agricultural land for brick kilns due to their irreparable impact. Therefore, the administration should awaken to this issue, and laws must be implemented to safeguard Budgam villages from this unsustainable business.

References

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214317315300160

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shamweel-Iqbal-Dar/publication/378129803_BURNING_BRICKS_SHAPING_CONSEQUENCES_AN_EMPIRICAL_ANALYSIS_OF_THE_ENVIRONMENTAL_AND_AGRICULTURAL_IMPACT_OF_BRICK-KILN_INDUSTRIES_IN_BUDGAM_DISTRICT_IN_JAMMU_AND_KASHMIR_UT/links/65c8a5c91bed776ae3400cfd/BURNING-BRICKS-SHAPING-CONSEQUENCES-AN-EMPIRICAL-ANALYSIS-OF-THE-ENVIRONMENTAL-AND-AGRICULTURAL-IMPACT-OF-BRICK-KILN-INDUSTRIES-IN-BUDGAM-DISTRICT-IN-JAMMU-AND-KASHMIR-UT.pdf

https://101reporters.com/article/environment/In_Kashmirs_Budgam_brick_kilns_smoke_life_out_of_cultivable_lands