Opinion: How far is not far enough?

The way the government is flaunting the ‘14-km-away’ theory as the ultimate answer to all the worries regarding the Rampal power plant, it would seem that the protesters do not have even the simplest knowledge of measuring distance. By over-simplifying the issue the government is trying to push aside the real concern. Given the unique character of the largest mangrove forest, 14-km is not nearly enough a distance for a dirty coal-fired plant. Here are few points to be considered.

The plant is situated in a tidal zone. The river flows deep down into the Sundarbans. So any pollution in the upper stream will ultimately reach the forest and affect it. Renowned environmental expert Prof Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, pointing to their study conducted on the impact of an oil spill in the Sundarbans in 2014, opines that since the oil had spread around 500 sq km due to that single incident, how can we consider only 14 km a safe distance, in case of more such accidents? Only a few days ago a coal-carrying ship sank into the Pashur river near the Sundarbans with the government still not able to salvage the wreckage. How will the government guarantee that such spillages which are more likely to occur once the plant is in operation will not have disastrous effects on the forest?

Secondly, the government is saying that the emission from the power plant will not reach the Sundarbans since the wind generally flows against the direction of the forest. But the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, prepared by the government, acknowledges the fact that at least for four months the wind flows towards the Sundarbans and emission will reach there. It says: “During November to February, prevailing wind flows towards South and the rest of the year it flows mostly towards North. In most of the time of a year, emissions from the power plant shall not reach the Sundarban except November to February” (EIA Report pg 284). Will not the emission during the four months affect the forest and its eco-system?

Again, according to the dispersion model prescribed in the EIA, emissions from the chimneys of the plant, containing harmful elements such SOx and NOx, will diffuse 25 km from the source. How will the 14-km distance protect the forest from these emissions which can travel a greater distance according to the EIA?

The government should give answers to these valid questions raised by the protestors and experts instead of clamping down on them with brute force.

The writer is Sr. Editorial Assistant, The Daily Star. Email: sajen1986@gmail.com