Shift Rampal power plant elsewhere to save Sundarbans

Speakers at a rally here yesterday thanked Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his move to protect the Sundarbans and preserve its resources.
They demanded shifting of the site for setting up of a coal-based power plant from Rampal in Bagerhat to elsewhere in the country, saying that if the plant is established at Rampal or other areas near the Sundarbans it will change the biodiversity of living beings like trees, bushes, wildlife, fish, birds, animals etc.
Soil quality and fertility will be degraded with loss of crop yields if coal-fired power plant is established near the mangrove forest, the speakers said.
Jointly organised by the Centre for Human Rights Movement, Save the Sundarbans and Agri Land Protection Action Committee in front of Khulna Press Club in the morning, the rally was addressed, among others, by Secretary General of the Centre for Human Rights Movement Mozahedul Islam Mujahid, human rights activist Advocate Tahsin Ali, President of Agri Land Protection Action Committee Sushanta Das, advocate SM Moniruzzaman, advocate Shahana Ferdous, Convenor of Save The Sundarbans Alhaj Parvez Ahmed and prominent social worker Ijaradar Ikramul Islam. Khulna Divisional Coordinator of the Centre for Human Rights Movement advocate Md Azizul Huq presided.
They said drinking water level is now found below 1000 feet and will move further downwards and the region will face severe crisis of drinking water in the future under adverse impact of coal-fired power plant.
They said due to sudden acid rain and other abnormalities in soil survival of tigers will be gradually reduced and they will face minor to major problems in living conditions including reduction of hormonal or reproduction capacity.
The Sundarbans, which greatly reduce the cyclone and risk of tidal surge, will be severely affected with huge loss of lives and properties in the future, the speakers said, adding that the world heritage site will be largely affected even with its sound existence under adverse impact of coal-fired power station at Rampal in Bagerhat district.