Nilagiri: The functioning of several brick kilns inside the ecosensitive zone of Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary under the Nilagiri sub-division in Balasore district has sparked fear of environmental pollution and threat to the green cover and wildlife, sources said Friday. Thick black fumes billowing out of the chimneys of the brick kilns are polluting the sanctuary but the administration has failed to take any preventive measures. The Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary is spread over 272.75 sq km area and is home to many precious trees, plants, and wild animals.
In view of its importance, the Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry published a notification aimed at protecting the green cover and the wild animals in the sanctuary, August 9, 2017. The notification demarcated 219.18 sq km of area in the sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone. Later, the Forest department came to know that 14 brick kilns are operating inside the eco-sensitive zone and are a huge threat to the environment and wildlife. Some brick kilns were also found operating just outside the sanctuary but the Forest department failed in taking action against those. The district administration decided to demolish the brick kilns after Nilagiri MLA Sukant Kumar Nayak raised questions in this regard in the state Assembly.
A year back, the then-district collector and the divisional forest officer directed the local administration to demolish the brick kilns. The local administration twice made attempts to demolish the brick kilns but failed. When contacted, Nilagiri sub-collector Mandardhar Mahalik said that he will take steps after having a discussion with the local tehsildar in this regard. Balasore DFO Sumit Kumar Kar however, assured that action will be taken against the kilns within a week.
