The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Eighty percent of the Sundarbans is located in Bangladesh, rest is in India. It has a unique ecosystem and a rich wildlife habitat. The Rampal Power Station is a proposed 1320 megawatt coal fired power station near the Sundarbans. To build the power plant government of Bangladesh acquired 2000 acres of farm land. This project is a joint venture by Bangladesh?s Power Development Board (PDB) and India?s state owned National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). 

Construction work at Rampal Power Plant >>

Coal fired thermal power plant is a threat to environment. It poses sever environment pollution. For the reason many countries don?t allow coal fired power plant within 15 to 20 kilometer from reserve forest and residential area. But Rampal Power station will be located within 14 kilometer from the Sundarbans and only 4 kilometer away from Environmentally Critical Area (ECA). Eco system of the world?s largest mangrove forest Sundarbans will be under threat. Environmental Experts said whatever the distance is the place is related to the ecosystem of Sundarbans.

Distance from Sundarbans >>

Environmental effects of building the power plant may be divided into three categories. They are the Effect during the construction of the project, Effect s during the operation of the plant, Effects during the coal transportation for the plant.

Effects during the Construction of the Project: During the construction of the power plant heavy materials will be transported via waterways of Sundarbans. Extra water vehicle, oil leak, sound pollution, imbalanced lighting etc will harm the ecosystem of the forest. The forest on the bank of Passur River may be cut for construction. The residence for many animals and birds will be lost.

Affected landscapes >>

Effects during the Operation of the plant: According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 142 tons of toxic Sulfur di Oxide (SO2) and 85 tons of Nitrogen di Oxide will be emitted every day during the operation stage. The concentration of these two gases in the air of Sundarbans will be increased and the ecosystem will be harmed. The temperature of the air, water pollution from the wastage, ashes and slurry, sound pollution will affect the normal life cycle of the mangrove forest.

Effects during the Coal Transportation:  Coal will be imported from Indonesia, Australia and South Africa. Coals will be transported via waterways within Sundarbans. As the depth of Passur River is not suitable for large ship coals will be unloaded from the ships and loaded into light water vehicle. This loading and unloading disrupt underwater species. Coal, oil, wastage will be emitted into channels of Sundarbans every day during transportation. 

Coal Transportation Route  >>

Citizens of Bangladesh took opposite stand against the power plant. Large protest is ongoing to save Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and UNESCO?s World Heritage Site.

#The photos are collected
#http://www.bpdb.gov.bd/download/coal_EIA_report_rampal_khulna/EIA%20of%202x%20(500-660)%20MW%20Coal%20Based%20Thermal%20Power%20Plant%20at%20Rampal%20in%20Bagerhat%20District,%20Khulna.pdf