Change of Rampal power plant site stressed

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DHAKA, Mar 21: Environ-mental activists on

Thursday demanded that the government relocate
all power plants, including the Rampal Thermal
Power Plant, close to the Sunderbans, to protect the
mangrove forest from adverse impact. They were
addressing a gathering in front of the National Press
club. The Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA),
Save the Sunderbans, Centre for Human Rights
Movement, Committee for Agricultural Land
Protection, Nagorik Uddyog, Nirapod Development
Foundation and Nature Campaign Bangladesh
organised
the
programme.
The environmentalists said the ecological balance of
the Sunderbans, the world's largest mangrove
forest, would be destroyed if the proposed thermal
power plant is built at Rampal in Bagerhat district,
about 10 km from the forest. They also said that the
government should select another site for the power
plant.
BAPA general secretary Dr Abdul Matin said the
proposed thermal power plant would "destroy the
ecological balance and biodiversity" of the
Sunderbans by harmful effluents like sulphur
dioxide, nitrus oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide and chlorofluorocarbon. "The power plant
will also release huge amounts of hot water that will

destroy the freshwater dolphin and various fish

species,"
he
added.
The government has taken initiatives to set up a
coal-fired thermal power plant in the Rampal area.
India is financing the power project. The government
has started acquisition of 186 acres for setting up
the
1,320-MW
power
plant.
Matin said the project would violate the Ecologically
Critical Area (ECA) Act, Bangladesh Environment
Conservation Rules, forest acts and the Convention
on
Biological
Diversity.
Mojahedul Islam of the Centre for Human Rights
said if the power plant is set up at the present
location, the government would violate the
conditions of the Ramser Convention. "The
government should go by the rules and regulations
of the International Ramser convention as a
signatory
nation,"
he
added.
Bangladesh had signed the Ramser convention in
1972. It aims at conserving natural forests and
wetlands
of
the
world.
Sheikh Md Shahidullah of The National Committee
to Protect Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources, Power
and Port, expressed concern over the plying of oil
tankers and other vessels in the Sunderban area,
saying that it will damage the flora and fauna of the
forest by leaking and releasing oil and other harmful
substances.

Ashfaq Hossain of Save the Sunderbans, Humayun

Kabir Sumon of Green Voice, Tuhser Rehman of
Citizen Rights Movement and Seikh also spoke on
the occasion