Various stakeholders on Wednesday launched a design manual for improved fixed chimney zigzag brick kiln that is expected to contribute to clean environment by reducing the emissions of harmful pollutants.

The Federation of Nepal Brick Industries (FNBI), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and MinErgy jointly launched the design manual to support the construction of improved brick kilns after the massive earthquake destroyed almost 90 percent of such structures across the country.

Launching the manual on Wednesday, Industry Minister Mahesh Basnet said the government is positive towards supporting reconstruction and rebuilding of brick kilns in a sustainable manner by incorporating better designs and modern technologies.

The structural design for fixed chimney brick kilns takes into account the need to improve seismic strength, reduce fuel requirements, reduce the emission of harmful pollutants, and improves social aspects of brick production, said experts who prepared the manual.

Almost 90 percent of around 800 brick kilns in the country saw damage due to earthquakes in April and May this year. As many owners are in the process of rebuilding and repairing their brick kiln structures, the FNBI in support of concerned partners is encouraging to them to make the new structures cleaner and seismically resistant.

“With this improved design, Nepal’s brick industry can reduce its coal consumption by up to 30 percent, which will result in cleaner air in Kathmandu Valley and up into the Himalayas,” said David Molden, director general at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.

A majority of Nepal’s brick kilns that were in operation before the earthquakes were constructed in a rudimentary style without considering environmental, structural and engineering measures. It is estimated that the recent earthquake resulted in damages worth more than Rs1.26 billion (USD 11 million) within the brick industry.

“We want to encourage our brick kiln entrepreneurs to follow this design while constructing their kilns and contribute towards clean and sustainable brick industry,” said Mahendra Chitrakar, FNBI president. The Federation has planned to implement the design in 20 brick kilns in the upcoming operational season, which will begin soon as the monsoon ends.