The previous owners of the land acquired for the Rampal thermal power plant have been enduring severe hardship for 14 years now. Although they received compensation for their land, they failed to come by alternative livelihoods or sources of income.

As a result, some, upon becoming sick, even died without proper treatment due to financial constraints. Now their children are also struggling with poverty and unemployment. Previously, these pieces of land had provided them with sustenance for the entire year, but now they face immense difficulties.

Environmental degradation

In addition, there has been environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources, adverse impacts on biodiversity, health and livelihood risks for locals and economic loss. Since the construction initiative began, the coal-based power plant in Rampal has generated widespread controversy.

Ignoring protests from environmentalists and various organizations, Bangladesh and India began joint investment in 2010, acquiring land and starting sand-filling activities just 14 kilometres from the Sundarbans. A total of 1,834 acres of arable land was acquired for this plant.

The 1,320-megawatt power plant, built at a cost of Tk16,000 crore, saw its first unit launched in December 2022 and the second in October 2023. Due to mechanical failures and coal shortages, the plant has had to shut down at least 15 times so far.

Fishing community hit hard

Conversations with riverside residents near the power plant reveal that fishing was once a major source of livelihood, but fish populations in the rivers have now dwindled. Now, even affording three meals a day is a struggle.

Locals claim that while fish were once abundant, the dumping of waste from the power plant into the water has reduced fish availability. They now struggle to earn enough for food despite fishing all day.

Previous land owners speak out

Rajib Das of Betaga village in Fakirhat said his father, Nehar Ranjan Das, owned 42 bighas of fertile land in the Rampal power plant area, which provided them with their annual income. Once all the land was acquired, the family faced financial hardship.

The compensation was much lower than expected, and they could not recover, Rajib told Dhaka Tribune. His father developed an infection in his toe that required amputation and also had liver issues, but died untreated due to a lack of funds. Rajib is now mired in a crisis with Tk15 lakh in bank loans.

Meanwhile, Bikash Chandra Das said he had 6 bighas of farmland. After its full acquisition, his hardship started, which continues to this day. The compensation was insufficient, he said, adding that it prevented him from buying alternative land. He now struggles to support his children.

Samir Kumar Das said that he had 60 bighas of land in the power plant area, all of which was acquired. The compensation was far below expectations, and he could not buy new land. His family had to rely on the compensation money, but lacking any sustainable alternative, they are now in severe crisis.

Local resident Amzad Hossain said that before the plant made inroads into the area, he survived by cultivating paddy and fishing on the land. These activities once required many labourers, but now none are needed, destroying another major source of livelihood, he added. He is now forced to travel long distances for work.

Displacement and socio-economic fallout

A survey conducted by a private organization in the Rampal power plant area found that out of 166 families, 22 (13.25%) had to relocate. Among them 9% were illiterate. The proportion of families with only signature literacy rose to 32.5%.

After land acquisition, 9.09% of families reported income loss, with 55.55% experiencing reduced income, according to the survey. The number of families living on homesteads smaller than 5% of their original land increased from 14.6% to 21.7%, while those with over 33% of land for homesteads dropped from 33.6% to 23%, it added.

A late 2024 research report by the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), under the Ministry of Water Resources, found that since the power plant’s launch, coal transport has been polluting the rivers and forests near the Sundarbans.

Coal is being unloaded openly from the jetty, violating conditions, and falling directly into the river, the report said. Fly ash and wastewater from the plant are being released untreated into the environment, increasing levels of nitrates, phosphates, mercury and other harmful chemicals, visibly affecting aquatic and forest biodiversity, it added.

The report noted the absence of bird nests in nearby areas like Karamjal, Harbaria, Akram Point and Hiron Point. Grazing land has vanished, and the number of domestic animals has declined. The 70 square kilometre project area has become dangerous for fish meant for human consumption, notes the report.

Experts raise concerns

Environmentalists and river experts have said that at various times, coal-laden ships have sunk, spilling hundreds of tons of coal into the rivers of the Sundarbans. Though the damage may not be immediately visible, the forest and aquatic life are already suffering, they added.

Dr Md Nasif Ahsan, an economics professor at Khulna University, said the thermal power plant has negatively impacted both the local environment and economy. He added: “During coal shortages, power generation halts, yet the state continues to pay large capacity charges. When coal arrives, it is transported using open methods, releasing harmful fine dust. “At times, coal-laden ships or cargo vessels sink, causing river pollution and severely affecting local biodiversity and the environment.”

Dr Shaikh Faridul Islam, chairman of Save the Sundarbans Foundation, said the Rampal coal project was implemented to please India despite knowing it would harm the environment. He continued: “It was initially claimed that ultra-supercritical technology would be used to avoid environmental damage. However, due to the use of inferior technology, pollution in Rampal-Mongla's soil, air and water has exceeded limits. Employment has decreased and health risks have multiplied. “If pollution is not curbed immediately, a catastrophic natural disaster will threaten the biodiversity of the Sundarbans and surrounding areas.”

Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul, divisional coordinator of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) in Khulna, said that not just the Rampal power plant, but over 100 heavy industries in the Rampal-Mongla area are polluting the rivers, leading to a decline in aquatic life. Air pollution is also beginning to negatively impact the Sundarbans' biodiversity, he mentioned. He added that while the world is reducing coal usage, such projects are causing long-term damage to the Sundarbans, rivers and nature.

Mahfuzur Rahman Mukul mentioned witnessing the discharge of water exceeding 100°C into the Pasur River and ash constantly falling into the forest and rivers, destroying the biodiversity’s ecosystem. If this continues, the lost natural resources will never be recovered, he warned.

Marina Parveen, executive director of Initiative for Right View (IRV), said: “Right beside the Rampal thermal power plant lies the neglected village of Kaigor Dashkathi Char in Kapasdanga, on the banks of the Pasur River. “Despite time passing, most residents here remain landless. There are no health centers or community clinics.” Marina Parveen continued: “Across the river lies Chalna, but residents crossing for emergency treatment, such as for pregnant women, are often denied service. Rampal is too far, and poor connectivity discourages the idea of going there.

“Moreover, there is an acute crisis of safe drinking water, waterlogging, child labour, unemployment, child marriage, polygamy and violence against women. When the men leave for work, women and adolescent girls remain vulnerable.” “Since families are landless, girls are not getting good marriage proposals, increasing early marriage rates. Children are leaving school to work,” Marina added.

Professor Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, head of Environmental Science Discipline at Khulna University, said harmful chemicals from the thermal power plant are entering river water and damaging the Sundarbans’ biodiversity. Aquatic species are dying, some are losing their reproductive capacity and the aquatic food chain is being disrupted, he said. He added: “During high tide, polluted river water reaches forest soil, harming plant life. Research also shows that the number of fish larvae and eggs per litre of river water has halved. Plankton levels have drastically dropped. “Fish reproduction near the Sundarbans and Pasur River has been severely disrupted. This is the main reason locals report a decline in fish availability.”

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