People`s suffering around Barapukuria Coalmine
It appears the coalmine in the area, operating over the past two decades, is bringing growing challenge to local environment as its activities are expanding. We must say the concerned authorities must take the threat seriously and take up corrective measures to save the people and also the coalfield to continue functioning. Coalmining is highly hazardous and now opposed in almost all countries on environmental grounds. We want it no doubt for power generation but not at the cost of our people’s life.
As per news report in a national daily on Sunday the situation is causing alarm to local people but the concerned government authorities appear quite indifferent to people’s growing anxieties. Expert opinion suggests such deterioration of environment around coalmines is a natural corollary and it can be partly overcome by appropriate engineering while resettlement of the people from the mine’s closer proximity is also essential before it becomes a big environmental issue. The government has a fund of over Tk 1.9 billion for resettlement but it remains unutilized while people’s suffering remains unattended.
It is natural that people can’t live in peace and safety when cracks develop in their homes and buildings and underground water level dips to create shortage of water to continue farming. Many have to abandon farming in their land in the area as the situation is not helpful. Harm to crops in the fields from ashes is also a serious threat to the villagers. Fisheries in ponds and other water bodies are also facing severe degradation as side affect of the mining. We must say the government should put in place more safety measures using latest technology to protect the environment and crops in the surrounding areas. Meanwhile bigger issues like resettlement of the people to a reasonable distance should also be taken up without delay. It is already evident from the degradation of quality of water and air in the areas as it stands far beyond WHO’s set standard to suggest we can’t wait much. The impacts are spreading. We must say the government can’t avoid responsibility when the safety of people is under growing challenge.
We know that the compensation package for resettlement of affected people from the area was approved in 2010 but left unutilized. It is no secret that corruption and misuse of government funds are the biggest impediment to helping people such as the affected ones around the coalmines when an incompetent self-seeking bureaucracy and poor political leadership are looking at their own fortune. But people around the coalmine must be protected at any cost.
