Kathmandu,
Feb. 16: More than 20 brick manufacturers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and
Pakistan visited brick kilns in Bhaktapur, Dhading and Biratnagar this week to inspect
the zigzag kilns and gain first-hand experience from current operators.
The event
was organised jointly by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development (ICIMOD) and Federation of Nepal Brick Industries (FNBI) to observe
the zigzag kilns – a new configuration that produces high quality bricks at
lower costs and with fewer harmful emissions.
According to
ICIMOD, the major aim of the visit was the exchange of ideas and practices
about the design and construction of zigzag kilns.
As brick
kilns are notorious for the pollution in South Asia, emitting thick black smoke
filled with carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and matters such as black carbon,
the industry wants to shift to a better technology to lessen the adverse impact
on the people and nature.
Currently,
the Fixed Chimney Bull’s Trench Kiln (FCBTK) is the most common design of the brick
kiln and contributes significantly to poor air quality that adversely impacts
human health and vegetation.
For the last
three days, the participants discussed means to convert the existing FCBTKs to
zigzag kilns, which are more resistant to earthquakes, too.
“We are encouraged to learn that progressive brick entrepreneurs in
Nepal have converted their FCBTKs to zigzag kilns. As we want to see more and
more brick entrepreneurs in South Asia follow suit, we've been working hard to
spread the word about improved zigzag kiln designs and facilitating exposure
visits for interested brick entrepreneurs from the region and beyond,"
said Bidya Banmali Pradhan, coordinator of the Brick Kiln Initiative.
FNBI
President Mahendra Bahadur Chitrakar said that the zigzag was the way forward
that gave them the best shot at clean, low cost kilns.
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