North South University

Course Name: Introduction to Environmental Science

Course Code: 107

Final Assignment

Submitted By
Md. Zayed Hossain
ID: 2013844630
Section:16
Semester- Spring 2023

Submitted To
Dr. Md. Anisur Rahman Khan
Professor
Department of Environmental Science & Management

Date of Submission: 15th June 2023

 Rampal Power Plant in Sundarbans &
Its Effects of on Sundarbans

Rampal power plant is a power station which generates electricity is located at Khulna district in
Bangladesh which is very close to Sundarbans area. The Rampal Power Plant, also known as the
Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, is a coal-fired power plant located in Rampal,
Bangladesh. This project is a joint venture between the Bangladesh Power Development Board
(BPDB) and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) of India. Rampal power plant is
situated on an area of over 1834 acres of land. It aims to address the growing demand for
electricity in Bangladesh by generating a capacity of 1,320 megawatts (MW) through two coal-
fired units.

Rampal power plant is threatening for our Sundarbans territory because this power plant is
situated within 14 kilometers of the protected area. This is why, Rampal power plant has created
a controversary. Environmentalists and some environmental organization such as BELA argued
that the plant's emissions and coal transportation activities could have detrimental effects on the
delicate ecosystem of the Sundarbans and its biodiversity. Besides, tourism, climate topography,
air and water quality of Sundarbans will be affected because of this power plant. It means
Rampal power plant is a matter of concern for our livable environment.

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As the Rampal power plant has created a controversary, some prominent problems are appeared
because of this power station. These problems are mainly related to our environment. Problems
are as follows

 Location: We all know that Rampal power plant is situated close to the Sundarbans,
within 14 kilometers of the protected area. This proximity raises concerns about the
potential effects of the plant on the delicate ecosystem of the Sundarbans.
 Coal-based Power Generation: The Rampal power plant is geared toward producing
energy using coal as the main fuel. Sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and
particulate matter are among the air pollutants that coal-fired power plants are known to
release in large levels and which can contribute to air pollution and related health
problems.

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 Air & Water Pollution: Many types of harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxide and so on including GHG gases will be emitted from Rampal power plant which
will create intense air pollution specially in Sundarbans area. Besides, water will be used
from near rivers to keep cool the power plant and power plant’s heated water will come
back into the river. As a result, heated water can heat it up and change the aquatic
ecology, which could be harmful to fish and other aquatic life. Thus, Rampal power plant
will extinct aquatic chain.
 Impact on Sundarbans Ecosystem: A distinctive and vulnerable ecosystem, the
Sundarbans is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including some endangered
species. Rampal power plant project can extinct those endangered species forever from
our Sundarbans because ecosystem will be totally disrupted for the power plant.

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 Climate Change: As ecosystem will be hampered because of this power plant project, it
is very obvious that climate of Sundarbans area as well as Bangladesh’s climate will also
be changed. Moreover, Rampal power plant will emit carbon dioxide at intensive level
inti the environment which will warm entire Bangladesh’s weather automatically. A
predicted bar chart of climate change impacts in Sundarbans (2001-2100) has been shown
below

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Still, Rampal power plant has some good effects for Sundarbans area and Bangladesh as well.
Those good effects have been described briefly below:

 Reliable Power Generation: The power plant's aim is to generate 1,320-megawatt

capacity will significantly increase the nation's ability for electricity. Because of the
assurance more electricity, many industries and new businesses will be started in our
country.
 Economic Growth & Job Creation: Many job opportunities will be created because of
this power plant project in constructional sites and it will increase our economical
growth. Besides, many unemployed people will get job through this project. As a result,
unemployed people will be decreased in our country. Again, Rampal power plant will
also increase economical growth of Sundarbans area and its adjacent areas.
 Technological Advancement: Many advanced and modern equipment will be used in
Rampal power plant project. Consequently, technological advancement will be created in
our country.
 Environmental Safeguards: Rampal powerplant project uses ultra-super critical
technology which is capable to produce lower greenhouse gases compare to older coal-
fired power plants. As a result, environment of our Sundarbans area will remain safe.

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  Social Infrastructure Development: Rampal power plant will increase lifestyle of that
area people. Besides, many infrastructures will be made based on this power plant
project. For example, roads, network of telephone, healthcare facilities, educational
institutions will be made more in Sundarbans area.

Though Rampal power plant has many good effects, there are more bad effects of Rampal power
plant than good effects. Syeda Rizwana Hasan who is CEO of BELA said about Rampal power
plant. According to her, “This project would totally destroy the world’s largest mangrove
forest, and take away from millions of people their traditional livelihood sources.”
Important and mentionable some bad effects have been described briefly below

 Environmental Degradation: As Rampal power plant is close to Sundarbans area and it

is within 14 kilometers of protected area of Sundarbans, this power plant degrades our
environment intensively. Deforestation, habitat loss, disruption of delicate ecosystem are
alarming environmental degradation. These will affect on our country heavily later.
 Impact on Biodiversity: Rampal power plant project can create disturbance in normal
biodiversity of Sundarbans area. Population of Sundarbans area will be increased
automatically because of this power plant. So, this increased population and noise level
of the power plant will damage biodiversity of Sundarbans and it will create problem to
continue normal wildlife as well.
 Health Impacts: Many harmful gases including greenhouse gases emit from any kind of
power plant. Rampal power plant is not exceptional. Those harmful gases with particulate
matters create many deadly diseases such as cardiovascular disease, organ cancer and so
on. This type of disease can be spread into those people who live close to the power plant
project.
 Social Displacement & Livelihood Loss: Rampal power plant will damage normal
livelihood. People can’t catch fish, they will also face problem in agriculture. As a result,
people who are related to these professions directly or indirectly will lead hardship
lifestyle. They can turn into unemployed people overnight. Besides, we can’t earn
economic growth from these sectors as well. As well as, the loss of access to natural
resources can change common people life.

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Problems of Rampal power plant have some solutions. These solutions have been described
briefly below:

 Strict Environmental Regulation: To guarantee that the power plant runs below
allowable emission limits, implement and enforce strict environmental standards. This
covers rules for wastewater discharge as well as restrictions on sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxides, and particulate matter emissions. There should be ongoing oversight and
sanctions for noncompliance.
 Advanced Pollution Control Technologies: To reduce air pollution from the power
plant, promote the employment of cutting-edge pollution control techniques including
electrostatic precipitators and flue gas desulfurization systems. These innovations can
lessen sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions.

 Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS): CCS technology can capture carbon gas and storage
the gas so that carbon gas doesn’t spread in the environment. Rampal power plant can
use this technology. As a result, Rampal power plant won’t hamper our environment.

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 Although this technology is not used in our country, we can introduce this technology by
Rampal power plant.

 Research & Monitoring: Strict monitoring of gas emissions and other activities are
needed as well as people who will monitor these have to be honest. Besides, a group of
environmental scientists can identify air quality and nearby water quality of Rampal
power plant in every year. As a result, we can understand whether this power plant is
hampering our environment or not.
It is important to note that above solutions will require technological enrichment. Still, if
we can take above measures perfectly, Rampal power plant can’t hamper our
environment and climate as well.