The government would continue building the Rampal power plant and alongside do a Strategic Environment Assessment in the country's Southwest as per the condition of Unesco, said Prime Minister's Energy Affairs Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury yesterday.

“Though there is no such provision [for doing SEA] in our environment act, we will do it for our own sake. By doing so, we will be able to get a clear idea of the long-term environmental impact in the region … ,” he said.  

He was speaking about the ongoing Unesco's 41st Session of the World Heritage Committee at a “meet the press” programme held at the Bidyut Bhaban in the capital.

Elahi returned home after leading a Bangladesh delegation in the session being held in Krakow of Poland.

Elahi said, “A total of 12 countries supported Bangladesh's move to construct the coal-fired plant near the Sundarbans after Turkey presented Bangladesh's matter in the meeting.

“Finland, a country which is very much conscious about environmental protection, also voiced its opinion in favour of Bangladesh and some other countries also wanted to support us.”

Due to their support, Bangladesh's successful arguments, and detailed presentation that showed minimal impact on the Sundarbans, the Unesco changed its earlier stance on the power plant, the PM's adviser said.

“They [Unesco] had confidence in our good intention and capacity. Our leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's global image as the winner of UN's highest environmental accolade, Champions of the Earth, also helped us to gain confidence of the Unesco,” he said.

About the concerns regarding fly ash, he said they told the meet that the plant would produce ash in solid form and that it would be used by other industries.

He said the government would do necessary dredging to ensure adequate water flow into the Sundarbans.

The government would fulfil the conditions set by Unesco for implementing the Rampal power plant, Elahi said.

“We are not only concerned about the Sundarbans status as a World Heritage Site but also its overall conservation. The Sundarbans saves us from natural disasters; we will do nothing that harms it.”

Asked about Unesco's condition to carry out the SEA before starting the project, Elahi said, “ … We have successfully convinced them [Unesco] with the use of latest and sophisticated technology which will have minimal impact on the mangrove forest. They have moved away from their position after our arguments.”

Claiming that the international debate regarding the coal-fired plant was over, Elahi urged national bodies and activists protesting the plant's construction to end their debate. 

Istiaque Ahmad, acting secretary to the Ministry of Environment & Forests, said, “We told them [Unesco] that it would take 18 months to do the SEA.” 

Power Division Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus said they received the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance from the Department of Environment. He said the first unit of the plant would go into production in June 2019 and second one in December the same year.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, Bangladesh Power Development Board Chairman Khaled Mahmood, and Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain were present during the briefing.