Our Correspondent, Barishal :
A rally and human chain styled as ‘Stop Coal Pollution, Save Payra River’ were held at coastal Taltali upazila in Barguna district.
On Friday (September 13) morning, the programs were held in front of the thermal power plant in Khottarchar area of the upazila jointly organized by Waterkeepers Bangladesh and Dharitri Rakshae Amara (Dhara) and Pyaira Nadi Hilsa Raksha Committee.
Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), Asia Energy Network (AEN), initiated the programme calling for closure of coal-fired power projects, protection of rivers and transition to 100 per cent renewable energy in Bangladesh as part of Asia Day of Action to EndCoal today as part of the global movement for climate justice.
Local people, fishermen, hilsa entrepreneurs, environmental activists,victims of the project area, environmental workers, NGO workers and hilsa entrepreneursand other professions participatedin the programmedisplaying colorful anti-coal power plant placards and festoons.
It was addressed by Shuvo Sandhya beach protection committee coordinator Jahangir Mia, Tentul Bariya River Breach Protection Committee coordinator Shahjahan Sheikh, Payra River Hilsa Protection Committee coordinator Sultan Ahmed, Waterkeepers Bangladesh (Taltali-Amtali) Upazila Coordinator Arif Rahman, environmental activist Mostafizur Rahman and others.
Speakers said due to the pollution of Payra riverby the thermal power plant in Taltali coastal area, all fish including hilsa are in crisis, fishermen are losing their livelihood
They alleged that the hilsa in the river is decreasing due to the discharge of coal-washed waste from the power plant’into Payra river.
Hot water released from thermal power plants is affecting the river environment, thereby disrupting fish reproduction.
Also, the black smoke emitted poses a threat to agriculture and health of people in the area, along with the biodiversity of the Tengragiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
A large amount of polythene gets stuck in fishermen’s nets causing net damage.
The closure of canals around the power plant has reduced agricultural production.
Farmers are also in trouble as the yield of watermelon, chilli, sunflower and dal is not as expected.
Many fishermen were hit by coal ships when their nets were cut, leading to lawsuits against them.
The incidence of water borne diseases is increasing in the area. Especially among women, pruritus is prevalent, which hinders their daily activities.