Dhaka, July 7– BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday said their party will not change its stance against the construction of the coal-fired Power Station at Rampal near the Sundarbans though Unesco has withdrawn its objection to it.“Environmentalists in Bangladesh, even in India, are saying that the Sundarbans will get destroyed, and its bio-diversity, inducing trees, fish and water, and people will be at stake if the power plant is set up. Our environment experts and intellectuals are on a movement against it, and BNP is supporting it,” he said.
Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader further said, “It matters little what an international organisation is saying about it. We’re still against the Rampal power plant as it’s an unjustified, illegal and anti-state project.”
Swadhinata Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the release of detained BNP leaders and activists, including its vice chairman Barkatullah Bulu and chairperson’s adviser Zainul Abedin Farroque.
The World Heritage Committee of Unesco has withdrawn its earlier objection to the construction of Rampal power plant project. It has also spared the Sundarbans from being relegated to the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The decision was made at the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee being held in Krakow, Poland, said the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
Rizvi said their party cannot allow anyone to destroy the Sundarbans only after the withdrawal of Unesco’s objection to the power plant.
“We think implementing a project which will affect people and the environment is tantamount to sacrificing the country’s independence and sovereignty,” he added.
The BNP leader said Indian people did not allow its government to construct the power plant near the Sundarbans in its part. “India is now implementing power plant project in Bangladesh by the Sheikh Hasina-led subservient government.”
He said the main motive behind the project is to harm the Sundarbans, environment and people of the country. – UNB
