ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT
Brick making industry ( has BMI) been used as a construction material for over 9000 years due to its easy availability, long durability and low cost. With about 42,000 small scale brick kilns, this industry produces nearly 140 million bricks per annum and is the third largest consumer of coal in the country next to only steel and power production units (24 million tonnes per annum) (CPCB,2007) . The brick demand, and therefore, its production is driven by rate of urbanization and growth of human settlements. On close observation we see that the 3 commanding factors labour, process and demand reveal that there is a symbiotic relation between the social structure, technology and city regarding this industry. Hence with the change in interaction between these 3, there is a need to reinvent this relation such that best environmental management practices can be used to improve the fate of this industry in a market of growing competition. BMI has also been identified as a major contributor to hydrocarbon emissions, burning of polluting fuel, causing extensive dredging of top soil (approx. 6 hectare per kiln per year) and social issues (bonded-migrant labour). High rate of development and lack of an appropriate alternative has resulted in exponential growth of brick production in India. Therefore in order to achieve sustainable consumption of resources and prevent further environmental degradation, it is crucial to review the process, extent and nature of environmental impacts of this industry. In year 2001-02 there were over 300,000 brick kilns worldwide that produced over 504 million tonnes of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere every year thereby becoming a matter of concern. By 2004 this industry, in clusters, had become a case for CDM in the global market . Acknowledging the environmental degradation, CPCB issued a notification in 2004 (for making fixed chimney kilns compulsory) . This combined with recession in the brick sector has renewed interest of stakeholders to focus on best practices related to price, availability of raw material and concern about the environment. This thesis is undertaken to comprehend the changing dynamics of BMI with the growth of urbanisation in India, assess its environmental impacts and suggest planning criteria for efficient management of the process from inception (new kiln) to the reuse of kiln and surrounding land. The focus area is peri-urban fringe of Jalandhar city. Firstly the profile of BMIprocess, energy requirements, duration, cycle and environmental aspects were studied. Then the distribution pattern of brick kilns and their changing relation growth of city in terms of time (year wise), distance from city , procurement of raw material and sales in the region was considered. This later helped in projecting the tentative location of brick kilns in the study area. A primary survey of delineated brick kilns was conducted to analyse the process of land modification, pattern of resource consumption, key stakeholders, responsible agencies and available alternatives in the market. Based on this survey and literature
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ABSTRACT

research, a list of indicative parameters for quantification of impacts was prepared. The impacts were later quantified (qualitatively and quantitatively). Special emphasis was given to the nature of land degradation in and around the brick kilns and this was depicted on the map. Major issues of concern associated with brick kilns are high incidence of air pollution, degradation of local environment, deteriorating working conditions, faulty compliance, inadequate engagement between regulatory agencies - brick associations and lack of a suitable alternative. Various tools of environmental management like environmental assessment , cost benefit analysis, waste minimisation systems and effective environmental design were then applied to identify and evaluate critical environmental impacts and the mitigation options available under different scenarios. An environmental assessment was conducted for the five kilns in the study area (based on the checklist) and the most critical issues were identified. The main drivers and barriers related to the industry were also identified. Economics play a crucial role in the BMI. Thus a key area of research was the natural resource profile of the district and regional availability of raw material. This led to formation of an appropriate model for siting brick kilns. A cost analysis for various alternatives /options for brick kilns in Jalandhar was conducted based on availability and amount of resource saving. By overlapping the linkages (regional and local) resource availability maps with the natural profile, a suitability map for ideal location of kilns was attained. Commanding factors for location of kilns were also recognized. Thus the basis for testing the siting criteria for the brick kilns and reuse of land in and around the brick kilns was prepared. Certain deficiencies in the existing system with regard to role of regulating agencies in terms of relevance and implications were discussed. The role of official interventions was studied. It is felt that there is a need for interdisciplinary approach to go beyond the limited scope of techno-economical, political, social and legal processes and arrive at a holistic solution for minimizing environmental impacts. Hence the final proposal would include a model for evaluation of siting criteria of brick kilns, best alternatives and a set of long term & short term recommendations supported with a land management plan for environmental management of both functional & non functional brick kilns. Certain recommendations for changes in the legal set up would also be suggested. Since certain conclusions could not be arrived at due to paucity of data, the areas of future research have also been identified.

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