Use of coal is taking much comparing to its contribution. The government should discuss with the experts and civil society prior to any move for implementing any coal-based project, said Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) vice-president Syed Abul Maksud.
"China already has stopped many coal-based power plants. While the developed countries are backing off from such projects, we are prioritizing it. Our message to government is clear that we do not want any more eco-hazardous projects," he said.
Maksud, also known as an eminent columnist, made the remarks yesterday at a press conference at the Conference Lounge of the Jatiya Press Club yesterday. Bapa and Waterkeepers Bangladesh jointly organized the program. Clarifying the greens' stance, Maksud said they were not against the developments. Rather, he stressed for mulling environmental issues alongside development. "Economic achievements with a cost of gradual harm to human and the nature are irrational," said Maksud.
Bapa joint general secretary Sharif Zamil presented the keynote at the program. He observed that the technology required minimizing the diverse effects of coal-use is very costly. Moreover, those are not cent percent effective. Citing a survey report, the keynote said: "Coal is responsible for untimely death of 6.7 lakh people in China, 0.8 lakh to 1.15 lakh people in India, 0.13 lakh in US and 0.23 people in EU countries."
Zamil, also the coordination of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, expressed grave concern over initiating coal-based power plant at Rampal and uncontrolled industrialization."Kuakata, Cox's Bazar and the Sundarbans are on the top of the vulnerability list," he said.Bapa general secretary Dr Md Abdul Matin anchored the program while coordinator of Bangladesh Paribesh Network Quamrul Ahsan Khan also spoke.
-AA Correspondent
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