Nineteen eminent citizens yesterday urged the prime ministers of Bangladesh and India to cancel the Rampal power plant project, saying it would pose a threat to the Sundarbans' environment.

The citizens who include former caretaker government advisers, environmentalists and politicians made the call at a time when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Dhaka.

In a statement, they also claimed experts at home and abroad had already showed that the power plant would emit thousands of tonnes of harmful gas and ashes every day once it became operational, putting the environment of the largest mangrove forest under threat.

Environmentalists have long been demanding that the project be scrapped for protecting the Sundarbans, a world heritage site declared by the Unesco. The forest lies both in Bangladesh and India.

According to experts, the recent capsize of oil and fertiliser carrying ships in the region has caused a long-term harm to the forest.

The risk of accidents amid frequent plying of coal-laden ships for the power project could easily be predicted, read the statement.

“...India-Bangladesh jointly decided to construct the large thermal power plant within 14 kilometres of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, ignoring public opinion and rules and regulations. The preparatory work for the construction of the plant is also underway.” 

The statement also pointed out that India's National Thermal Power Cooperation (NTPC) was not allowed to implement anything like the Rampal project in India.

“According to India's EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment] Guideline 2010, no power plant can be built within 25 kilometres of forests. But, the same rule was not followed in Bangladesh's case.”

“... we hope that the prime ministers of the two countries will announce the cancellation of the Rampal power project which will destroy the Sundarbans and take initiatives for protecting and flourishing the forest,” the citizens added in the statement.

Those who signed the statement include eminent rights activist Sultana Kamal, academician Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, rights activist Khushi Kabir, child education activist Rasheda K Choudhury, Communist Party of Bangladesh President Mujahidul Islam Selim, environmentalists Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Abdul Matin.