The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports has decided to organise a “long march” towards Khulna-Bagerhat-Rampal on September 24-28. This is being done to demand cancellation of the government’s plan to install a coal-based power plant near the Sunderbans. Prof. Anu Muhammad, member-secretary of the committee, announced the programme at a press conference in the city’s Purana Paltan area on Monday.
He said the proposed power plant would cause huge environmental and financial damage to the mangrove forest in the Sunderbans.
He also claimed that the government has inked an “unequal deal” with the Indian government in this connection, which is contrary to national interests. “The Indian government hasn’t installed any coal-fired power plant near the Sunderbans on its own side. But it has successfully induced our country to do the job on our side of the forest. The proposed power plant will destroy our flora and fauna and do irreparable damage to the forest, natural protector of Bangladesh from natural disasters,” he said.
“We’re not against the coal-fired power plant. We have raised our voice as we feel that this particular project is environmentally unsustainable and is financially a weak project,” he added.
-With The Independent input
