'Disastrous' decision

Environmentalists yesterday urged the government to cancel its recent decision to allow industries in Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) of the Sundarbans and said the decision would be “disastrous” for the world's largest mangrove forest.

They demanded that the government remove the industries already established, stop the ongoing projects and cancel land allotments for new industries immediately.

The demands were made at a press conference organised by The National Committee to Protect the Sundarbans, a platform of environmentalists, at Dhaka Reporters' Unity in the capital.

In a meeting last week, the National Environmental Committee decided to legalise more than 300 industries set up in five districts around the Sundarbans, they claimed.

Most of the industries there pollute the environment and some of those -- like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plants -- pollute severely, they observed.

Citing recommendation of the Unesco, eminent rights activist Sultana Kamal said Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was a must to set up industries within 10km of the ECA.

“The government promised to follow the recommendations on different occasions but such a disastrous decision was made breaking the promises,” said Sultana, also convener of the platform.

It was a bad decision for the forest and it would have a long-term affect, she said in a statement.

Not only the country, but also the world would lose a unique asset if the forest was destroyed, she said.

Noted writer and columnist Sayed Abul Maksud said they would continue their protest to save the Sundarbans whether the government listens to them or not.

Abdul Matin, member secretary of the platform, and Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori, also spoke among others.