Search for illegal lead factory in Gajari forest in Tangail

 

Robin Talukder, 

Tangail Correspondent 

An illegal lead factory has been set up inside the Gazari forest in Tangail's Ghatail upazila. 

The people of the area have been outraged over the illegally made lead factory in Dhalapara Union of Ghatail Upazila.

According to the locals, the lead is being made from old batteries in Gazari garden of Mansur in Dakshin Asharia Chala village of Dhalapara union of Ghatail upazila. Fifteen workers from Gaibandha collected old batteries from different places during the day and took them out in the dark of night and drove them to other places before dawn.

The development of this harmful lead factory in Gazari's garden is causing great damage to human bodies, cattle and plants. Adverse effects are also falling on the environment, various types of diseases are appearing. Doctors say such substances increase people's risk of diseases such as respiratory problems, heart disease and cancer.

One worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the lead was shiny but the lead and waste could not be identified during the day. That is why lead is melted at night. Lead factories are closed all day and work is started by bringing goods by car at midnight. The work is finished before dawn again. The worker, who did not want to be named, said that it is very difficult for us to breathe while working at night.

According to the people involved in making lead, the cells of the abandoned battery are frozen like cement. Acid-mixed solid waste is sorted in the reactor. Then fire is started with wood and coal and air is pumped at high speed through an electric fan through a pump. Burning wood and coal creates a coil of fire and burns the lead to liquefy. The waste is then removed with a long spoon and placed in a pan made of lead iron. On the other hand, while making lead, thick gray smoke comes out through the chimney.

Mostafa Kazi, a resident of Asharia Chala village, said the furnace was made by digging a hole in a wall-enclosed space with cloth inside the Gajari forest. Dozens of workers are working there. We have permission to protest.

Mostafa Kazi further said that the leaves of the plants are fading and turning pale due to the lead factory. Crop damage and livestock deaths can occur. When lead is melted at high temperatures, various harmful compounds including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide are produced and it spreads rapidly in the air. 

This is polluting the environment, shortness of breath, heart disease has increased several times.

Habibur Rahman, range officer of Dhalapara forest department, said, "I have heard that necessary action will be taken against them."