World’s largest mangrove forest Sundarbans would not face any environmental hazard because of setting up the Rampal Power Plant, Nasrul Hamid, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, told parliament yesterday. He also said according to a feasibility study and the environmental impact assessment outcome, the plant would not cause any environmental risk to the forest. Replying to lawmakers’ queries, Nasrul said the plant, to be established almost 14km away from the Sundarbans, would have the ultra super critical technology for power generation, and there is no possibility of creating any risk to the mangrove forest. The state minister added that the mangrove forest is particularly suitable for absorbing carbon dioxide. The power plant would create an alternative source of income for the people who are living near the forest, and ultimately, the forest would be protected from damage for the power plant, Nasrul said.

2016 / thedailystar.net