Of smoke, soot, and suffering

Toxic emissions from a factory in Rupsha upazila of Khulna have been causing environmental pollution in at least eight neighbouring villages.

The fumes originate from Mimco Carbon Company Limited, an export-oriented factory beside Padma Beel in Tilak village. Established in 2013 on around 45 bighas of land by a businessman from Jamalpur, the factory was inaugurated in March that year by Mannujan Sufian, then state minister for labour and employment.

After operations were halted due to loan default, the factory was later leased from a bank and is now being run by local businessman Shahjahan Shikari and his nephew Masum Billah Shikari.

Locals said since the factory began operations, vast stretches of cropland, fish ponds and residential areas have repeatedly been blanketed by soot and ash from fumes emitted by its furnaces, which operate without emission control, particularly in the evening and at night.

They said the pollution has severely affected the predominantly agricultural area spanning Tilak, Amdabad, Machuadanga, Noihati, Debipur, Samantasena, Patharghata, Godaikhali and other nearby villages.

Padma Beel, covering around 140 hectares, is a vital agricultural zone, with nearly 110 hectares under cultivation.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found the factory producing carbon black in 42 furnaces by burning jute sticks, while 18 more furnaces were under construction.

Despite being only two to three kilometres from the upazila parishad and within one kilometre of more than six educational institutions, the factory has continued operating for years amid a lack of effective monitoring by the authorities concerned, villagers alleged.

Despite repeated protests, human chains and press conferences, no steps have been taken in this regard, locals said. Many believe the factory operates with the backing of influential quarters.

“In recent years, many people here have developed asthma, heart disease and chronic respiratory conditions due to prolonged exposure to the toxic fumes released from the factory’s furnaces every evening,” said Hosne Ara Banu, a resident of Tilak village.

Children are the worst affected, she added.

Farmer Gaffar Sheikh of Debipur village said the pollution has adversely affected crop production.

“We no longer get expected yields. Paddy plants die; tomato and gourd production has declined as flowers wither prematurely. The ash settles in fish ponds, reducing oxygen levels and preventing fish from growing properly,” he said.

Alamgir Hossain Shrabon, a member of Noihati Union Parishad, said the factory was shut down temporarily following a series of protests by locals.

“But later it resumed operations by illegally managing authorities,” he alleged.

Shahjahan, a teacher from Amdabad village, said such factories should not be allowed to operate near schools, colleges and residential areas.

Masum Billah Shikari, a shareholder of the factory, said the carbon black produced there is exported to China. He added that installing chimney connections for emission control could increase fire risks.

Masum also claimed that similar factories operate across the country and that the emissions do not harm the environment, as the open space reduces environmental impact.

Experts refuted the claim.

“Burning jute sticks in dozens of furnaces without emission control systems releases large amounts of particulate matter and black carbon and several toxic substances into the air. These include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and sometimes nitrogen oxides (NOx),” said Sadhon Chandra Swarnokar, an assistant professor of Environmental Science at Khulna University.

“Prolonged exposure to the particulate matter and fumes increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly among children and the elderly. Deposited soot reduces photosynthesis, degrades soil quality and harms aquatic ecosystems,” he added.

Tarun Kumar Bala, upazila agriculture officer in Rupsha, said excessive smoke and fly ash disrupt pollination, harm beneficial insects and adversely affect overall agricultural productivity, while also posing health risks to people.

Harunur Rashid, assistant director of the Department of Environment in Khulna, said the factory’s environmental clearance was not renewed after 2014 due to non-compliance with conditions.

“We will conduct a field inspection to determine whether it is operating illegally and take necessary legal action,” he added.

Sanjida Rikta, upazila nirbahi officer in Rupsha, said the administration will coordinate with the DoE to take action based on its findings.