Rampal power project \\\'needs independent body for monitoring\\\'

The proposed 1320-megawatt Rampal power plant needs an independent body of environmental experts to monitor its ecological compliances required to meet as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. The Department of Environment (DoE) set the condition for the project while approving the EIA, according to official sources. Referring to recommendations, a top DoE official said the issue of forming an independent monitoring body received a special emphasis while the approval was given to the coal-fired power plant project. As per the DoE suggestion, the independent body will consist of representatives from different sectors, including environmentalists, civil society members, university teachers, and experts, who will monitor the every aspect of the government acts relating to compliance issues. Admitting about the requirement of the independent body or a committee, DoE director Sultan Ahmed said the committee should be formed as soon as possible. Bangladesh and India are jointly implementing the Rampal power plant project at a location close to the Sundarbans, the world’s longest mangrove forest, which has been declared a world heritage by the United Nations. Environmental groups are opposing the project fearing a disaster for the Sundarbans and its ecology, according to UNB.