UNB, Dhaka :
Speakers at a seminar here on Friday warned that those who are in favour of setting up a power plant at Rampal will not be spared even after a hundred years, if the Sundarbans is affected by it. They also urged the Prime Minister to relocate the power plant to another place to protect the world’s largest mangrove forest and the country’s economy. Shoto Nagorik Jatiya Committee, a platform of BNP’s professional body, arranged the seminar on Rampal power plant at a city hotel. Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddiqui, among others, spoke at the programme with DU ex-VC Prof Emajuddin Ahmed in the chair.
Badruddoza Chowdhury said the killers of Bangabandhu had to face trial long after his assassination. The present government will have to put on trial one day if the Rampal power plant cast a negative impact on the
Sundarbans and the county,” he added. “I humbly request the Prime Minister
that you can stop the power plant only if you want. But, good advice can’t reach you because of some selfish and corrupt people,” he added.
Mentioning that India and Sri Lanka are scrapping such power plant in their countries, the BDB chief questioned why this project is being implanted in Bangladesh. “Why India is helping us implement the project in our country which they cancelled in their own country?” Dr Emajuddin said they are opposing the Rampal power plant as it will damage the Sundarbans. “We’re not talking against it only to oppose the government’s move. No one of us, even the Prime Minister, doesn’t want the Sundarbans to be destroyed.” He said people of all walks of life, irrespective of their political affiliation, should speak against the Rampal power plant in the
interest of nation. Mentioning that Sundarbans save the nation from natural disasters like a natural shield, he said the government should not take any move which can damage the world’s largest mangrove forest.
Kader Siddique said no one will oppose the power plant if it is implemented in another place instead of Rampal as the country needs more electricity. “We need power production… more importantly, we need to protect the Sundarbans. So, take the plant elsewhere.” Zafrullah Chowdhury urged the Prime Minister to go for a referendum to assess whether people want the Rampal power plant project to be implemented or not.
He also suggested relocating the plant to Chittagong region from Rampal. If the power plant is set up at Rampal, Zafrullah said, it will not only damage the country’s environment but also the economy.
Speakers at a seminar here on Friday warned that those who are in favour of setting up a power plant at Rampal will not be spared even after a hundred years, if the Sundarbans is affected by it. They also urged the Prime Minister to relocate the power plant to another place to protect the world’s largest mangrove forest and the country’s economy. Shoto Nagorik Jatiya Committee, a platform of BNP’s professional body, arranged the seminar on Rampal power plant at a city hotel. Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddiqui, among others, spoke at the programme with DU ex-VC Prof Emajuddin Ahmed in the chair.
Badruddoza Chowdhury said the killers of Bangabandhu had to face trial long after his assassination. The present government will have to put on trial one day if the Rampal power plant cast a negative impact on the
Sundarbans and the county,” he added. “I humbly request the Prime Minister
that you can stop the power plant only if you want. But, good advice can’t reach you because of some selfish and corrupt people,” he added.
Mentioning that India and Sri Lanka are scrapping such power plant in their countries, the BDB chief questioned why this project is being implanted in Bangladesh. “Why India is helping us implement the project in our country which they cancelled in their own country?” Dr Emajuddin said they are opposing the Rampal power plant as it will damage the Sundarbans. “We’re not talking against it only to oppose the government’s move. No one of us, even the Prime Minister, doesn’t want the Sundarbans to be destroyed.” He said people of all walks of life, irrespective of their political affiliation, should speak against the Rampal power plant in the
interest of nation. Mentioning that Sundarbans save the nation from natural disasters like a natural shield, he said the government should not take any move which can damage the world’s largest mangrove forest.
Kader Siddique said no one will oppose the power plant if it is implemented in another place instead of Rampal as the country needs more electricity. “We need power production… more importantly, we need to protect the Sundarbans. So, take the plant elsewhere.” Zafrullah Chowdhury urged the Prime Minister to go for a referendum to assess whether people want the Rampal power plant project to be implemented or not.
He also suggested relocating the plant to Chittagong region from Rampal. If the power plant is set up at Rampal, Zafrullah said, it will not only damage the country’s environment but also the economy.
