The National Committee to Protect Sundarbans (NCPS) has demanded conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the coal-fired Rampal Power Plant by the UN to get a clear idea about the possible environmental impacts on the Sundarbans.
It said the study should be conducted by a group of international independent experts, reports the UNB.
NCPS Convener Sultana Kamal came up with the demand at a press briefing in Dhaka yesterday to mark the Rampal Day, a day to be observed on Sunday by political, social, environment groups to protest against the government’s move to set up coal-fired power plants near the Sundarbans.
NCPS leaders dubbed the EIA report by Department of Environment a distorted one and urged the government to suspend all sorts of work of Rampal plant and Orion Group’s power project until the proposed UN committee finalises its report.
“We are the citizens of the country, not vassals. Raising voice is the responsibility of citizens. So, the government is bound to accept our demand,” the UNB quoted her as saying.
She also urged the government to limit tourists to Sundarbans protected areas and not to allow vessel movement and shrimp farming within the mangrove forest.
