The 154 factorie operating within the ecologically critical area (ECA) around the Sundarbans are not a threat to the world’s largest mangrove forest, Dr Sultan Ahmed, ex-director general of the Department of Environment (DoE), told a press briefing yesterday. The briefing was organised at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Wednesday after a 16-member team from Bangladesh recently returned to the country after attending the 43rd session of the 21-member World Heritage Committee that took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 30.
The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO had decided in that meeting not to keep the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, on the list of World Heritage in Danger. Speaking at the press conference, Dr Tawfique-E-Elahi Chowdhury, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser on energy, power and mineral resources, said they would prepare a detailed action plan for the 154 factories that are operating around the Sundarbans.
These factories include cement-manufacturing plants, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plants, gas cylinder manufacturers, oil refineries, betel nut-processing plants, ship-building factories, automatic rice husking mills, saw mills, brick kilns, cigarette-manufacturing plants, ice factories, fish farms, hatcheries, crab farms, saline water refineries and an iron-welding factory.
Tawfique also said they would prepare a detailed assessment report on the ecological condition of the Sundarbans. “A team from UNESCO will also come in February next year to assess the situation. We’ll cooperate with the team in every possible way to assess the situation,” he added.
Meanwhile, about the 154 factories, former DG Dr Sultan Ahmed said: “We had only allowed those factories in the ecologically critical area that do not release any liquid waste. Before giving them permission, all those factories were measured properly whether they had taken all necessary precautionary measures.”
Speaking on the occasion, power secretary Dr Ahmed Kaikaus said there was a misconception that the coal-powered plant in Payra would harm the Sundarbans, but it was not true. “The coal power plant project will no way harm the ecologically critical area like the Sundarbans,” he added. He also pointed out that the mangrove forest area has been increasing and tiger count is increasing in the Sundarbans because of the government’s efforts.