KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued an order to close the brick kilns operating in Panchkhal Municipality, Kavrepalanchok.
The directive follows a writ petition filed by locals, alleging that the brick kilns were causing severe environmental and public health damage. The court issued the order after hearing the petition.
Local activist Shree Krishna Dhimal, along with other residents, had earlier filed the writ petition, naming Panchkhal Municipality, the Ministry of Forest and Environment, the Ministry of Education, and the Department of Archaeology, among others, as respondents.
After five years, a bench of Supreme Court Justices Hari Prasad Phuyal and Sharanga Subedi ruled in favor of the petitioners.
The petition argued that the brick kilns, which were operating without adhering to proper standards, were contributing to increased pollution, damaging ancient monuments and archaeological sites due to soil excavation, and negatively impacting agricultural production and public health.
Furthermore, the petition highlighted that Panchkhal holds religious and historical significance dating back to the Kirat and Lichchhavi periods, and the continued operation of these industries posed a threat to the region’s archaeological heritage.
There are eight active brick kilns in Panchkhal, including Himalayan Multipurpose Company Pvt. Ltd., Nawadurga Bhawani Brick Industry, Upakar Chimni Brick Industry, Jaya Bhimsen Brick Industry, Bir Hanuman Brick Factory, Palanchowk Bhawani Chimni Industry, Subarneshwari Brick Industry, and Palanchowk Bhagawati Brick Factory. Some of these kilns operate near schools.
Despite local concerns, the municipality had supported these industries, prompting the residents to bring the issue before the Supreme Court.
Locals have also accused Panchkhal Municipality Mayor Mahesh Kharel of assisting in the operation of illegal brick kilns.
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