Rampal Power Plant: Environmental Crisis

Nature is like a mother to us. We can not think of our existence without nature. Moreover nature provides us with the most important valuable things- food, shelter, water, air. On the contrary, our environment is being tortured by mankind. Man are destroying the environment without thinking of the result. The most important reason for destroying nature is the energy industry. Nowadays, the more the energy consumption, the country is more developed. Therefore there is a competition of energy consumptions among the countries in the world. Thus we are heading to the end of mankind. Though energy consumption is essential, it should not be done by destroying our environment.

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated country. Here the demand of electricity is higher than production. The production and efficiency of the industries, garments are seriously hampered. Therefore our country cannot prosper to the highest level. To solve this problem, Rampal power plant is suggested to build at Rampal uphazila in Bagerhat district in Bangladesh. It is situated near the Sundarbans, one of the world’s heritage site. It will be the largest power plant in our country. In respect of Bangladesh, the project has a great advantages to meet our problem.

Undoubtedly, the project will meet a good energy supply. But it has a serious effects to the environment. The most dangerous side of this project is the destruction of Sundarbans. Sundarbans is the habitat for the royal Bengal tiger, one of the extinct species in the world. This species will be totally destroyed as the result of the destruction of sundarbans. As it is a coal based power plant, trees of the forest will be cut to supply the ingredients. As a result, several types of trees will be vanished. Moreover, it will be a serious threat to the existence of the extinct birds and animals because of the scarcity of food and accommodation. The ecosystem of the surroundings will be disturbed. Huge smoke including sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon are emitted through the chimney. These global warming gases will cause air pollution including decrement of ozone layer. In addition, it can cause acid rain which results to the destruction of animals and trees. The wastes of power plant are casted to the rivers of the sundarbans. Hence marine species such as dolphin, crocodile will face a serious threaten. Still the number of species will be decreased as a result of chemical contamination. Lastly any explosion of power plant can cause a destruction of sundarbans in a second.

The harmful impact of rampal power plant has a direct connection with the existence of mankind. Sundarbans is the main savior from natural disasters for south parts of Bangladesh. Finally the river erosion will be increased. The increasing in water level of Bay of Bengal can cause a destruction of many south sides of Bangladesh. Again, there will be a scarcity of water, food and shelter.

The government of Bangladesh has violence the laws of UESCO in construction of rampal power plant. Many environmental organizations, columnist, scientist, has protested against the project. Researches based on the rampal power plant, it is shown that the project is not economically as well as environmentally reliable. Within the two years after the construction, 75% species will be vanished from the sundarbans.

Sundarbans is a habitant and for many species of the surroundings. If the project is constructed, man will face a serious threat though its profitable advantages. Hence it should be reminded that development cannot be earned by destroying our environment.