Environmental activists and civil society members formed a human chain in Khulna on Thursday, demanding the cancellation of a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Akram Point in the Sundarbans, warning of environmental damage and economic risks.
The program was organised by several environmental organisations, including Amrai Agami, Climate Connects, Poribesh O Unnayan Forum, Khulna, CLEAN and the Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED), in front of Khulna Press Club.
Speakers warned that the terminal could damage marine and coastal ecosystems, threaten biodiversity and reduce fish availability, putting local fishing communities’ livelihoods at risk. They said the resulting impacts could undermine food security and employment in coastal areas.
They called for a thorough assessment of the project’s environmental and socioeconomic impacts before any further steps are taken.
The speakers also warned that LNG import-dependent infrastructure would put additional pressure on foreign exchange reserves, while construction and maintenance costs and volatile international prices could increase the financial burden on the energy sector.
They said investing in new LNG terminals and gas-fired power plants without considering actual electricity demand and existing generation capacity could lead to economically unviable projects.
Instead, they urged the government to prioritise renewable energy, particularly rooftop solar systems and solar parks, and make better use of existing power infrastructure to reduce fuel import dependence and strengthen long-term energy security.
The speakers called on the government to halt plans to expand fossil fuel infrastructure and increase investment in renewable energy, stressing that development decisions must prioritise environmental protection, local communities’ rights and the responsible use of public funds.
