Supreme Court Orders Closure of Brick Kilns in Panchkhal

The Supreme Court has directed the immediate shutdown of brick kilns operating in Panchkhal Municipality, citing their detrimental impact on public health and the environment.

The verdict comes in response to a writ petition filed by local residents on December 30, 2019. The petition had named Panchkhal Municipality, the Ministry of Forest and Environment, the Ministry of Education, and the Department of Archaeology as defendants.

Currently, eight brick kilns are active in the municipality. In response to the court’s order, Panchkhal Municipality stated that it is working to regulate industrial activities, including brick kilns, through the adoption of a new environmental policy aimed at corrective and sustainable practices, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.