Staff Reporter: The land minister called for the use of sustainable materials in construction. He said, we should use materials that not only meet the requirements of construction but also contribute to environmental conservation.

Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda made this statement while speaking as the chief guest at a knowledge exchange meeting with concrete block manufacturing companies at the conference room of the Khulna Divisional Office of the Department of Environment today. Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) of Khulna Division, Md. Firoz Shah, presided over the meeting.

Officials from the Ministry of Land, Khulna Divisional Director, and other officials from the Department of Environment, as well as Executive Engineers from the Khulna Roads and Highways Department, Public Works Department, and Local Government Engineering Department, along with businessmen, entrepreneurs, and NGO officials involved in concrete block production in the Khulna divisional region, were present at the knowledge exchange meeting. During the meeting, entrepreneurs and engineers shared their experiences with concrete blocks and their perspectives on economic feasibility.

The land minister emphasized that concrete blocks represent modern technology in the construction industry. These blocks offer increased durability, improved insulation, and reduced environmental damage compared to bricks. The minister encouraged stakeholders to explore the potential areas for using concrete blocks in construction projects.

Furthermore, the land minister highlighted the crucial role of entrepreneurs and engineers in driving innovation in the concrete block manufacturing sector. He called for concerted efforts to establish relevant trade associations or federations producing concrete blocks for mutual cooperation and collective progress.

During the meeting, the Department of Environment informed attendees that brick kilns are a significant source of air pollution. Additionally, the topsoil of agricultural land is being used in brick kilns, which can damage cropland fertility and threaten food security. According to the Department of Environment, this risk can be greatly reduced by using concrete blocks.

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