Assam: Kaliabor chokes on brick kiln pollution, school students suffer skin issues

In a distressing turn of events, the unchecked pollution emanating from brick kilns has wreaked havoc on the ecosystem of Kaliabor, plunging the region into a state of environmental crisis. The repercussions of this pollution have transcended mere ecological damage, adversely impacting public health and livelihoods.

Near the vicinity of Roumari Primary School, the deleterious effects of pollution have manifested in a surge of skin diseases, eye ailments, and respiratory illnesses among the Konkon students of the school, as well as a section of children attending the Anganwadi center. Residents of Roumari and Barali village have similarly fallen victim to these health afflictions.

Furthermore, the pollution has taken a toll on agricultural productivity, with a notable decline in fruit production, including coconuts and tamol. This downturn in agricultural output has not only disrupted the local economy but has also exacerbated the already dire situation.

Compounding the crisis is the alarming trend of student absenteeism and dropouts, attributed to both health concerns and the lure of employment in the brick kilns. Shockingly, reports have emerged alleging that some students from Roumari Primary School have been coerced into working as child laborers in these hazardous environments.

Despite the glaring evidence of environmental degradation and its attendant human costs, the local administration and pollution control board have remained conspicuously silent, failing to address the burgeoning crisis.