Human chain against factory in Ishwardi

Residents of Ishwardi staged a protest rally, human chain and demonstration on Saturday against the approval of an appeal allowing the proposed M/s R.B. Rice Bran Oil Mill to operate, despite the project having previously been denied environmental clearance by the Department of Environment.

The programmes were organised under the banner of the Ishwardi Upazila Environment Protection Committee in the Bhelupura area.

At a press briefing, committee leaders alleged that the factory would cause severe environmental pollution through wastewater, smoke, ash and industrial waste, posing risks to public health, agriculture, livestock and local biodiversity.

They demanded the withdrawal of the ministry’s decision and warned of larger movements if their concerns were ignored.

Speaking at a press conference, the committee’s Vice-President, Shamim Ahmed, said, “We have been protesting since 2018 to protect the environment.

In 2022, the Department of Environment rejected the environmental clearance application submitted by Madhu Biswas, owner of M/s R.B. Rice Bran Oil Mill.

Later, he approached the Department’s regional office in Rajshahi, its headquarters in Dhaka and the ministry, but all his applications were rejected.

However, on June 11, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved his appeal, which has deeply disappointed us.”

He warned that if the ministry’s decision is not withdrawn, a larger protest movement would be launched.

Among those who addressed the rally were Abdus Sattar, Sharifa Khatun, Tarikul Islam, Alhaj Tuhin Hossain, Dulal Mondal and Hafizur Rahman.

The meeting was presided over by the committee’s Acting President, Ansarul Haque.