Environmentalists once again urged the government to cancel the Rampal power plant project, saying it would pose an environmental threat to the Sundarban.
The environmentalists who include former caretaker government adviser, Sultana Kamal on Sunday called upon the government to refrain from implementing coal-based Rampal thermal power plant to save the Sundarban from destruction. “Don’t call us anti-development forces, we fought for the country and struggling for make the country a prosperous one, I lost my brother, relatives and friends in the Liberation War and worked at a field hospital where we provided medical services to the injured muktihuddhas, still we are working for the prosperity of the country, so don’t raise any question against our patriotism, we all are here as we felt that the Rampal will ruin the Sundarban, we are not against the plant we are against the site,” Sultana Kamal said.
She urged at a consultation meeting at Bidyut Bhaban yesterday, the Power Division organized the meeting been the environmentalists and officials of the Division but it failed to reach a conclusion on Rampal Power Plant. Both the sides discussed for four hours and tried to convince each other, but finally stuck to their respective positions on the issue of Rampal Power Plant project and its impact on the Sundarban.
After the meeting State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid, told journalists such `dialogue` will continue in future, if necessary. However, he said the minutes of the meeting would be place before the Prime Minister, the line minister of the ministry.
Meanwhile, Prof Anu Mohammad, said this power plant should be cancelled since it will destroy entirely the Sundarban. `We can only discuss about the alternative location of the Rampal Power Plant. This power plant will be the source of rivalry between Bangladesh and India`
He also urged the government to bin the proposed projects in the area including the Orion Power Plant near the Sundarban.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won the Champion of the Earth award and she should cancel this power plant showing respect to this award,” Anu said.
“According to India’s EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment] Guideline 2010, no power plant can be built within 25 kilometres of forests but in special cases it said 10 km in permissible. But, the same rule was not followed in Bangladesh’s case,” the environment activists claimed.
However, the State Minister offered the activists to visit a modern coal-fired power project.
“… we hope that the prime ministers of the two countries will announce the cancellation of the Rampal power project which will destroy the Sundarban and take initiatives for protecting and flourishing the forest,” Anu said.
Environmentalists have long been demanding that the project be scrapped for protecting the Sundarban, a world heritage site declared by the UNESCO. The forest lies both in Bangladesh and India.
Former caretaker government adviser advocate Sultana Kamal, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Prof MM Akash, Prof Badrul Iman, Dr MA Matin of Paribesh Andolon and Rezwana Hasan of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) among others were in the team of environmentalists.
We can only discuss about the alternative location of the Rampal Power Plant. Otherwise, such discussion is worthless. Prof Anu Muhammad said.
Power Secretary Monwar Islam, Power Cell DG Mohammad Hossain, Department of Environment Director Syed Nazmul Ahsan and Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd (BIFPC) managing director Uzzal Kumar Bhattacharya also spoke on behalf of the Power Division and the government side.
Sultana Kamal said the government has been pursuing tricks in implementing the Rampal Power Plant. It has been simultaneously discussing with environmentalists and implementing the power plant as well.
She said the Environment Ministry has yet not given the environmental clearance to the project, but ignoring that the Power Division has continued its works on the project. If finally the environment ministry refused to give clearance, what will happen then?
Dr MM Akash said it is surprising that the government has been proceeding with the plan without determining the cost of electricity, even without determining source of coal to be imported for the plant. As a result, the cost of the power plant will go up further.
Dr Abdul Matin said that if the government goes for alternative location, then environmentalists will have no objection about the project.
Power Secretary Monwar Islam said the statement by the Environment Minister in parliament has created confusion. But the fact is that the department of environment gives clearance step by step and it has already given EIA clearance for the project.
“…India-Bangladesh jointly decided to construct the large thermal power plant within 14 kilometres of the Sundarban in Bangladesh, ignoring public opinion and rules and regulations. The preparatory work for the construction of the plant is also underway,” said Sultana Kamal.
Taking part in the discussion Uzzal Kumar Bhattacharya said India and NTPC have no intension to do any harm to Bangladesh or the Sundarban.