Why won't the government relent?

As a student of Development Studies, I am proud of our government's initiatives to protect the environment through the establishment of the Climate Investment Fund and their achievement of the “Champion of the Earth” title. 'Article 18 A: Protection and Improvement of Environment and Biodiversity', of our Constitution proclaims that, “The state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to preserve and safeguard the natural resources, biodiversity, wetlands, forest and wildlife for the present and future citizens”. They have even claimed not to allow the implementation of any projects likely to cause damage, recently in Switzerland.

In the light of these events, it is confusing and disheartening to watch the government repeatedly overlook our collective protests of the Rampal Power Plant project. We are left wondering about their reasons behind such intransigence. 

Md. Ashfikur Rahman

Khulna University