Greens want cancellation of DoE clearance

Sundarban Rokkhay Jatiya Committee forms a human chain before Jatiya Press Club in the capital yesterday demanding that the Department of Environment immediately cancels the no-objection certificate, which they said was based on a flawed survey, for the setting up of two thermal power plants in Rampal near the Sundarbans. Photo: Star

Green activists yesterday demanded that the Department of Environment immediately cancels the no-objection certificate (NOC) for setting up of two thermal power plants in Rampal near the Sundarbans, claiming that the clearance was issued based on a flawed survey.
Addressing a protest rally in front of the capital's Jatiya Press Club, organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), they called for constituting a new committee of scientists, experts and environmentalists to conduct a fresh environment impact assessment study.
Bapa General Secretary Dr Abdul Matin said the survey report prepared by the government-run Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services was fabricated, confusing and based on lies and false reasoning.
It seems that on recommendations from the Power Development Board, the DoE has validated the report, which is aimed at helping the government set up the plants, he added.
Matin told The Daily Star that the power plants would fall in the Sundarbans territory and damage its biodiversity though the report said it would not.
The DoE issued the clearance certificate early this month. The two plants are expected to produce 1,320 megawatt of electricity.
Prof Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, said the DoE gave the clearance despite opposition from the country's renowned scientists and experts.
The speakers demanded immediate shutdown of the Rampal project in Bagerhat and relocation of the plants to a safe distance from the forest.