Independent expert body to monitor Chevron's survey
Sunday, 16 March 2008
The government will engage an international non-government organisation (NGO) to oversee the seismic survey work by gas explorer Chevron at Lawachhara national forest in Moulavibazar and ensure that it does not cause any harm to the environment.
Chevron's planned seismic survey to explore the gas reserve of the block 14 has evoked opposition from certain groups of environmentalists.
About 20 per cent of the total area planned for the seismic survey is within the protected Lawachara National Forest. Currently the survey work is going on in areas having tea gardens and will be completed before the monsoon.
Official sources said, the government's decision to engage a third-party expert team for monitoring after the Environmental Impact Assessment cleared the project and gave permission to Chevron for starting the survey.
The monitoring team that will oversee the survey work would include representatives of reputed international NGOs and officials of the Forest and Environment departments.
According to the proposal, the expert team will guide the survey work in the protected and sensitive forest areas so that it is carried out in accordance with the approved plan of Forest and Environment Ministry.
An official of the Forest and Environment Ministry said they have requested the globally reputed UN-designated International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to take the assignment of forming an independent expert body.
Chevron's planned seismic survey to explore the gas reserve of the block 14 has evoked opposition from certain groups of environmentalists.
About 20 per cent of the total area planned for the seismic survey is within the protected Lawachara National Forest. Currently the survey work is going on in areas having tea gardens and will be completed before the monsoon.
Official sources said, the government's decision to engage a third-party expert team for monitoring after the Environmental Impact Assessment cleared the project and gave permission to Chevron for starting the survey.
The monitoring team that will oversee the survey work would include representatives of reputed international NGOs and officials of the Forest and Environment departments.
According to the proposal, the expert team will guide the survey work in the protected and sensitive forest areas so that it is carried out in accordance with the approved plan of Forest and Environment Ministry.
An official of the Forest and Environment Ministry said they have requested the globally reputed UN-designated International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to take the assignment of forming an independent expert body.