The Department of Environment (DoE) prepared the draft and held a high-profile meeting on Tuesday with Environment Minister Tariqul Islam in the chair.

Highly placed sources said the government has decided to enforce the law to impose a ban on use of wood in brickfields. The draft also proposed to strictly maintain the height of brick-kiln chimneys.

Around 60 percent of the country's brick manufacturing units run with requisite 120-feet high chimneys and the ministry has given top priority to force the remaining kilns to meet the standard, sources said.

Environment ministry officials said the government is preparing realistic laws that the brick kiln owners would be able to follow.

The draft also proposed to allow construction of brickfields one kilometre away from a city, town or important establishments such as schools, colleges or hospitals. The requirement of distance may be less in hilly areas, they added.

The current limit is three kilometres from any human habitat of a minimum of 50 households or forest area of 50 trees.

To set up new brick manufacturing units, entrepreneurs would need clearance certificate from the DoE, the draft suggested.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, the environment minister said, "All steps related to brickfields are aimed at reducing emission level and improving environmental situation in the country."

Existing laws can not be implemented properly due to socio-economic perspectives of the country, he said adding that the DoE lacks manpower to enforce the law at field level.

Pointing that existing laws have some weaknesses and limitations, Tariqul said, "We will soon bring amendments to the articles of existing law, which was prepared in 1989. We want to further strengthen the law so that the government authorities can implement its plans effectively."

Official sources alleged a good number of brick-kiln owners are reluctant to erect 120-feet high chimneys and abandon use of firewood in their kilns although the government directed them to limit the kiln emissions for its harmful effects on human health.

They hoped the proposed legislation would compel the owners to ensure required height for the exhaust chimneys. It would also put a complete ban on use of wood in brickfields.

Most of the 8,000 brick manufacturing units run without valid licence and violate environmental laws. More than 2,000 kilns, which encircle Dhaka, are believed to be the major contributors to air pollution in the capital, official sources said.

To inform brick-kiln owners of the provisions of law related to brickfields, all deputy commissioners have been instructed to sit with the brick-kiln owners before they go into production in the upcoming seasons, they added.

Besides, the government will launch massive campaign to create awareness on environmental impact of brickfields.