EIA report 'farce' of govt

Speakers at a seminar yesterday said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the coal-fired power plant to be built in Rampal, Bagerhat is a "farce" of the government.
The report on the 1,320-megawatt power plant is not well researched and gives unclear evidence about environmental impacts on the Sunderbans, they said.
Findings of the report suggest that the plant will not affect the environment of the forest, which is only 14 km away from the plant's proposed site, they added.
The EIA report is an "eyewash" as the assessment was done after the government had already selected the site for the power plant and signed an agreement with the Indian company, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), the speakers alleged.
These remarks were made at the seminar organised by the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Port at Mukti Bhaban in the capital's Purana Paltan.
Engineer Kallol Mustafa said the power plant will produce poisonous sulphur, nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide which will harm the biodiversity of the Sunderban.
The forest will also be affected during winter season as the winds will carry poisonous fumes from the power plant towards the fores, said Engineer Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah.