Balangir burns as illegal brick kilns operate in extreme summer; forest dept. in deep slumber
By Mahendra Kumar Darjee
Balangir, May 25: Amid severe heatwave conditions gripping Odisha’s Balangir town, allegations have surfaced over the unchecked operation of illegal brick kilns on the outskirts of the city, with locals accusing the forest department and district administration of turning a blind eye to large-scale environmental violations.
Despite government restrictions on traditional red brick kilns, several units are reportedly functioning openly in and around Balangir, allegedly using massive quantities of firewood sourced through illegal felling of trees from rural and forest areas.
Residents and environmental activists claim that thousands of trees are being cut and burned to fuel the kilns, contributing significantly to rising temperatures in the region. They allege that public land trees as well as valuable forest timber are being indiscriminately felled by timber mafias operating with little fear of action.
The controversy intensified after visual evidence purportedly showing huge timber logs stacked and used in brick kilns was reportedly shared with the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). However, according to local sources, the DFO maintained that the Forest Department’s powers are largely limited to seizing timber during transportation and that wood stored at kiln sites or already being used in kilns cannot easily be confiscated beyond the imposition of penalties.
The explanation has triggered sharp criticism from intellectuals and local residents, who questioned how forest officials routinely seize wooden planks and logs from private premises in other cases while expressing helplessness over alleged large-scale timber use by brick kiln operators.
Environmental concerns are also mounting over the impact of the kilns on local ecology and wildlife. Residents say increasing deforestation and extreme heat are forcing wild animals to stray into urban areas in search of shelter and water, often leading to accidents and deaths.
Particular attention has been drawn to the Surda area near Balangir town, where several brick kilns are reportedly operating using firewood despite alleged lack of oversight by the Forest Department, Mining Department and local revenue authorities. One kiln owner in the area is alleged to be operating seven to eight kilns simultaneously.
According to local estimates, each kiln cluster may be producing nearly five to six lakh bricks in a season. Sources said around 1,250 bricks transported in a tractor load are currently being sold for Rs 7,500 to Rs 8,000, raising questions over the scale of profits being generated through the business.
Locals have demanded immediate intervention by the district administration, stricter enforcement against illegal felling of trees and closure of brick kilns operating in violation of environmental norms.
Officials are yet to issue a detailed public response on the allegations.
