Bangladesh will respond to the letter sent by Unesco expressing its concern over the setting up of Rampal coal-fired power plant near the Sundarbans, said State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid yesterday, reports UNB. "We're going to reply to the Unesco's letter by next week. After a thorough scrutiny of it, we'll give a scientific clarification in details over the questions raised by the UN organisation," he told reporters after a workshop at Biduyt Bhaban in the city.
The junior minister made the remarks against the backdrop of a letter sent by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to the government advising it to cancel the project considering its multiple effects on the Sundarbans' ecology.
Bangladesh and India are jointly implementing the 1320 MW coal-fired power plant in a location near the Sundarbans, a Unesco heritage site, despite strong opposition from local environmentalist groups.Indian power company BHEL has been awarded a contract to build the plant. Rejecting any idea of relocating the Rampal power plant's site, Nasrul Hamid said the government is implementing the project using highly efficient technology and equipment which in no way would affect the Sundarbans’ environment. He disagreed with the concerns of the UN body for the ecology of the Sundarbans saying coal-fired power plants are common in many countries near the localities but those have no big effect.
“Bangladesh is spending $2 billion for the project to make sure it won’t affect the environment. We’re very careful about the Sundabans. So, there’s no reason to be scared about.”
The state minister said there are so many reasons which are responsible for damage of the environment of the Sundarbans. But it’s ill-motivated to blame Rampal plant for its future environmental damage,” he added. Bangladesh Energy Research Council organised the workshop titled ‘Mitigating Challenge in Energy and Power Through Research’ which was also addressed by energy secretary Nazimuddin Chjowdhury and power secretary Monwar Islam.