Sangsad Bhaban, Jun 13 (UNB) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Thursday told Parliament that the number of asthma patients is increasing in the country due to air pollution.
 
"If the level of air pollution is high, the number of asthma patients will go up rationally. Since air pollution is high in the country, the number of asthma patients is increasing," he said, replying to a question from Awami League lawmaker M Abdul Latif (Chattogram-11) in the House.
 
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury tabled the question-answer session at the beginning of the day's sitting which started around 4pm.
 
The Environment Minister said the government has taken various steps to bring the air pollution to zero level for the public interest. Initiatives have been taken to effectively implement the Air Pollution Control Rules, 2022 to check air pollution in the country, he said.
 
6,876 brick kilns in country:
 
In reply to a question from ruling party MP Nani Gopal Mondal (Khulna-1), Saber Hossain Chowdhury said currently there are 6,876 brick kilns in the country.
 
A total of 338 drives were carried out against illegal brick kilns in the five years from April 2019 to April 2024, he said.
 
During the drives, 4,436 cases were filed, 98 persons were sentenced to different jail terms, Tk 111.50 crore fine was realised, and the operation of 1,180 brick kilns were shut down, said the Environment Minister.
 
END/UNB/MS/FH/1751 Hrs