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Environmentalists oppose coal export, open-pit method

Staff Correspondent
The government's coal policy should not provide for coal export and open-mining method, experts and environmentalists said yesterday.
The policy should be dr^wn up in consultation with experts and others concerned, they added.
Th® suggestions came at a press conference on an 'environ -ment-friendly, pro-people' coal policy at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Bangladesh Environment Network jointly organised the event presided over by Bapa President Professor Muzaffer Ahmad.
At the press conference, Dr Khalequzzaman, a non-resident Bangladeshi coal expert, said open mining is not ecologically viable for Bangladesh, a country with a very high population density.
He said the mining method should be selected in light of geological conditions, possible environment and social impact and preference of the locals.
Khalequzzaman, also a member of the Environment Network, said Bangladesh should not export coal until the internal energy situation permits.
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He said expatriate experts like him however favour coal export under special circumstances. For instance, he said. Petrobangla wants to export the coal mined at Barapukuria as it has difficulty storing the fossil fuel with most of the power plants unable to workat full capacity.
Prof Muzaffer said it is surprising that Petrobangla, the state body to oversee activities regarding gas, oil and other mineral resources, wants to export coal despite an acute crisis in power generation.
"Obviously the situation has arisen out of a lack of coordination between the mining and power generation authorities," he added.
Thanking Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking steps to save rivers and stop pollution, he requested her to consider the environmental implications while formulating the coal policy.
The government should consider food and human security before settling on a mining method, he added.^- .
The coal policy must incorporate industrial and agricultural issues. "Industrialisation will not be of much use if you fail to ensure food security. Likewise, energy security too will not be of benefit to people without food security."
Muzaffer requested the government to make public the outcome of the four-day Tangail workshop where nonresident Bangladeshi experts discussed coal mining issues and drew up a set of suggestions meant to be included in the draft coal policy.
Prof Anu Muhammad, member-secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources, alleged that power generation at the Barapukuria
power plant was being hampered intentionally to allow coal export from the mine.
He also alleged that die workshop atTangail's Jamuna resort was organised by the government to legitimise open-pit mining in the coal policy and allow Asia Energy's Phulbari project.
Dr Sarwat Chowdhury, another NRB energy expert, said coal could be exported if there is no way for it to be stored or preserved.
He also observed that there would be adverse effects on the environment if the government opts for open-easi coal mining.
He said the government should legislate a coal strategy.
Prof Nurul Islam of Buet, Bapa General Secretary Mohammad Abdul Matin and Vice-president Syed ANM Wahed were present, among others.