A coal-fired power plant at Rampal near the Sundarbans, which caused an outcry from environmentalists, is yet to get clearance from the Department of Environment. Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Monju made the statement while addressing the parliament on Thursday afternoon. He said that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was approved after adding some conditions. Replying to a query, the minister said: If mitigation measures are implemented properly as proposed in the EIA report, then there is no possibility of damaging the Sundarbans. Claiming that the Sundarbans would not be affected if the power plant is established, Monju said: If this power plant is established then employment opportunity will be created for the local people. Peoples’ purchasing capacity will increase while the local peoples’ dependency on Sundarbans will decrease. The minister said that the coal-based power plant would be established with Super Critical Technology and 59 conditions were imposed in the EIA report to avoid any negative impact on the Sundarbans during the construction and operation phase of the plant. Monju said that online monitoring system was incorporated in the project to control pollution. He also said a coordinated round the clock monitoring team comprising Department of Environment, BPDB and other officials concerned would monitor the plant’s operations. Answering to another query, he said around Tk2.50 damage occurred in the four fire incidents in Sundarbans in 2015-16 fiscal year. The minister told the parliament that various steps were taken to avoid such incidents in the future.
2016 Dhaka Tribune