i don't think it is illegal, although nepalnews chose that word. here is the same story from kantipuronline. - http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=59560 SC orders brick kiln pollution check POST REPORT KATHMANDU, Dec 10 - The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Ministry of Science and Environment to enforce environment-friendly technology in the brick kilns of Kathmandu valley. The court, showing concern over environmental degradation due to brick kilns, ordered the government to ban the traditional and highly polluting technology being used in the kilns. Justices Kedar Prasad Giri and Balram KC passed the order to this effect Friday in response to a public interest litigation filed separately by Pro-Public and 13 people who claimed to be the victims of pollution in Bhaktapur. The Justices also ordered the government to form a committee of representatives from the Ministry of Science and Environment, Ministry of Industries and Commerce, Pro-Public and other environment experts, to study the pollution triggered by smoke from brick kilns.