Ramphal Thermal Coal Plant on Sundarbans mangrove forest

Ramphal Thermal Coal Plant on Sundarbans mangrove forest

Rampal Power Plant Project

Introduction

The power plant site is located under RampalUpazila in the Bagerhat district. The Government has acquired 1,832 acres of agriculture and fish (shrimp) farming land from SapmariKatakhali and KaigarDaskatiMauza of Rajnagar to build the Rampal power plant. Only 86 acres of the land is the government’s land, with the rest of the land being private land.

The Rampal power station is a proposed 1320 megawatt coal-fired power station at RampalUpazilaof Bagerhat District in Khulna, Bangladesh beside the Poshur river which project must need acomplete environmental clearance. The Bangladesh government signed a joint venture agreement with India’s state-run electricity generation company on 29 January 2012 to implement this project. It is a joint partnership between India's state owned National Thermal Power Corporation and Bangladesh Power Development Board. The joint venture company is known

as Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company (BIFPC).

Description	Rampal
Production Capacity (MW)	1320

Land acquisition (acre)	1834

Budget (approx.)	Tk 145.1 billion

Allocation for compensation	Tk 625 million

Implementing body	India-Bangladesh Friendship Company

Financial investors	30% India-Bangladesh equal partnership, 70% loan

Technology	Super-critical

Year of production	June 2019
EIA implementation	Centre for Environmental and
	Geographical Information Services
Location	Sapmari, Rampal, Bagerhat

Sundarbans Reserve Forest – a world heritage site

The Sundarbans Reserve Forest is the world largest mangrove forest and located in the south west of Bangladesh (Figure 1). It has been declared a Ramsar Site and Natural World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1997 due to its cultural or natural significance. This area spans the drainage basins of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers and is intersected by a complex network of other rivers and waterways. It is one of the largest contiguous mangrove forests in the world (140,000 ha).

According to the World Heritage Council (WHC), the Sundarbans mangrove forest is the habitat of a wide range of flora; 334 flora species and 693 fauna species1. The bird-life found along the waterways of the site include 315 species of waterfowl, raptors and nine species of kingfisher, and the magnificent white-bellied sea eagle. The area is habitat for the Royal Bengal tiger and other threatened species, such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python. It is the only mangrove habitat in the world for the Royal Bengal Tiger. A population of between 400 to 450 tigers live there, which is a higher density than any other population of tigers in the world1.

Rampal Power Plant Project

The power plant site is located under RampalUpazila in the Bagerhat district. The Government has acquired 1,832 acres of agriculture and fish (shrimp) farming land from SapmariKatakhali and KaigarDaskatiMauza of Rajnagar to build the Rampal power plant (Figure 2). Only 86 acres of the land is the government’s land, with the rest of the land being private land2

The power plant site is 14km away from the Sundarbans, and 70km away from the world heritage boundary.

The plant comprises of two unit steam turbines of 660MW each, two forced draft cooling tower stations of the wet type, a cooling water intake station at riverside including proper intake piping and discharge channel, stacks of 275m each, a residential and social area, a water treatment plant, a sub-station, a coal terminal, a coal handling and coal silo, an ash disposal area, and a greenbelt.

Figure2: Geographic location of Rhamphal power plant

Nonetheless, the area is critically important for the livelihoods of the people living in and around the forest area, protecting their communities from storm and tidal surges, and supporting fishing and farming.

Ecological value of the Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.^[6] It is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests. A variety of habitats have developed to accommodate the wildlife, including beaches, estuaries, permanent and semi-permanent swamps, tidal flats, tidal creeks, coastal dunes, back dunes and levees.^[7] Besides a high number of mangrove tree species, 200 additional plant species, more than 400 species of fish, over 300 species of birds, 35 species of reptiles, 42 species of mammals and countless benthic invertebrates, bacteria, fungi, etc., can be found there.^[8] Some of the notable wildlife species residing in the forest include waterfowl, heron, pelican, spotted deer, rhesus macaques, wild boar, tigers, water monitor lizards, fishing cats, otters, olive ridley turtles, crocodiles, batagur terrapins, and migratory birds.^[2]

The Sundarbans also provide a vital buffer against cyclones that are common in that part of the world and has been called "a natural safeguard...for nearly 40 million people".^[9]

How a coal based power plant works

A coal based power plant burns coal to produce steam. It requires tremendous pressure to flow the steam from the boiler into a turbine, which spins a generator to produce electricity. When the hot steam is cooled and turned into water, it is then returned to the boiler to start the process over. However, the system losses some water during the process. A typical diagram of a coal fired power plant is shown in Figure 3.

In an average year, a typical coal plant generates approximately 3,700,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) - the equivalent of cutting down 161 million trees; 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) - which causes acid rain; 500 tons of small airborne particles; 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) - equivalent to emission from half a million old late-model cars; 720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO); 220 tons of hydrocarbons; 170 pounds of mercury; 225 pounds of arsenic; 114 pounds of lead; 4 pounds of cadmium; other toxic heavy metals; and trace amounts of uranium4.

Future impact of Rhampal on Sundarban

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:

Cassification of impact:

· Less-Than-Significant Impact- the project would result in impacts that are below the identified thresholds of significance;

· Potentially Significant Impact- the project would result in significant adverse impacts that can be feasibly mitigated to less-than-significant levels; or

· Significant Unavoidable Impact- the project would result in significant adverse impacts that cannot be feasibly mitigated to less-than-significant levels.

Impact on hydrology and water quality:

The power plant's proposed location is on the bank of Passur River, which is one of the only two rivers that bring fresh water to the Sundarbans. Any change in Passur River’s quality might be extremely harmful for the entire ecosystem.

According to the CEQA Guidelines’ Appendix G Environmental Checklist, to determine whether implementation of the Project may generate significant hydrology and water quality impacts, the following questions are analyzed and evaluated. Would the Project:

a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements, or otherwise substantially degrade water quality?

b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted?

c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner, which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits havebeen granted?

c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner, which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site?

d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner, which would result in flooding on- or off-site?

e) Create or contribute runoff water, which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned storm water drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff?

f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?

g) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures, which would impede or redirect flood flows?

h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?

i) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?

j) Will the Project be affected by climate change through a reduction in the quality and supply of water available within the state?

ENVIRONMENTAL AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Coal-fired power plants also spread a toxic menagerie of chemicals into both the air and water, including arsenic, mercury, lead, nickel, and radium. The government says the plant could discharge up to 52,000 tons of sulfur a year. The water of the Sundarbans and surrounding areas will be affected by discharging cooling water, effluents from the ships, and leaching water of the coal from ships.

The government says the plant could discharge up to 52,000 tons of sulfur a year, which, depending on the type of coal burned, could lead to acid rain in the Sundarbans and surrounding regions.

According to the government, the Rampal coal plant will suck up 9,150 cubic meters of water from the river every hour and run it through a desalination plant. Since mangroves depend on a mix of fresh and salt water—often termed brackish—environmentalists not only fear that water levels in the Passur river will run low, but also that the blend of fresh-and-salt water could be disrupted, dooming swaths of the Sundarban's mangroves. Mangrove ecosystems are known to contain acidic soil, and any disruption may lead to leeching of the acid into the water causing major disaster to the aquatic fauna including the fisheries.

The 40 kilometers from the port to the plant cuts through the Sundarbans and it includes the river flow path. Environmentalists say these coal-carrying vehicles are not often covered as they scatter large amounts of fly ash, coal dust and sulfur, and other toxic chemicals are released through the entire life of the project. The Rampal coal plant will require around 4.72 million tons of coal every year to burn, which the government says will mean approximately a ship a day carrying coal through wildlife-rich waters. Coal spilling off the barges may lead to possible water contamination, while the ships will also cause daily noise pollution possibly putting species at risk, including dolphins. Just last year, Bangladesh set aside three new areas of the Sundarbans as Wildlife Reserves for the dolphins.

Ground Water

The ground water and that of the Poshur would also be polluted by the huge amount of waste produced due to burning of the coal. Whereas the existence of strict laws to protect the environment and the wildlife, the government has recently decided to declare a part of Poshur and Andharmanik rivers sanctuaries for dolphins. The liquid waste or sludge contains hazardous arsenic, mercury, cadmium and chromium. These toxic substances can contaminate drinking water supplies and damage vital organs and the nervous system of people living around the place and the natural resources of the Sundarbans.

Fisheries

The fisheries resources of the study area are rich and diversified with mainly brackish water to minor fresh water fish habitats. The area has a close connection with mangrove forest providing support to a number of marine and fresh water fishes. The network of river systems of this region connects the fresh water fish habitats with the brackish water habitats and maintains biological balance of the major fish groups.

The estimated total fish production of the study area is about 5218.66 M.ton, which comes from both capture fisheries (565.66 M. ton) and culture fisheries (4653. M.ton). On the other hand, the estimated total fish production from the project area (project boundary) is about 569.41 M.ton (capture 4.79 M.ton& culture 564.62 M.ton).

Acquired land includes shrimp aquaculture farm, mangrove, intertidal area, and tidal creeks which are used as, fish habitat. Acquisition of these lands might cause loss of these habitats. Open water fisheries habitats like rivers (Passur, Maidara), khals and inter-tidal area may be affected due to dredging, traffic movements, and oil and chemical spilling. Dredging activities may also alter the habitat of the bottom feeder fish for short period.

Environmental and cumulative impact by Ramphal coal plant on Sundarban by Air pollution:

Emission from Project Operation -

Due to pollution of the coal fired power plant changing air quality could destroy much of the floral and faunal diversity of the study areas. The pollution will also greatly impact human activity. Emission levels of different toxic gases and heavy metals from the coal fired power plant will greatly change the air quality. The wind flow is indicating that the total study area i.e. Rampal, Mongla and the Sundarbans will be affected by the toxic gases and ashes of the coal based power plant in different seasons. Especially the Sundarbans will be affected during the peak tourism period in the month of December to February. It is a matter to be concerned when the Sundarbans reserve forest is already facing threats from natural calamity, deforestation, rise in salinity and extinction of many species mainly due to human carelessness, ignorance and lack of implementation of laws, poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxics. In an average year, a typical 500-megawatt coal plant generates: (1) 3,700,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary human cause of global warming. This is equivalent to cutting down 161 million trees; (2) 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which causes acid rain that damages forests, lakes, and buildings, and forms small airborne particles that can penetrate deep into lungs; (3) 500 tons of small airborne particles, which can cause chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and premature death, as well as haze obstructing visibility; (4) 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), as much as would be emitted by half a million late-model cars. NOx leads to formation of ozone (smog) which inflames the lungs, burning through lung tissue making people more susceptible to respiratory illness; (5) 720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), which causes headaches and place additional stress on people with heart disease; (6) 220 tons of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC), which form ozone; (7) 170 pounds of mercury, where just 1/70th of a teaspoon deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat; (8) 225 pounds of arsenic, which will cause cancer in one out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion and (9) 114 pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium, other toxic heavy metals, and trace amounts of uranium; and 125,000 tons of toxic ash.

Impact on Biological Resource:

The environmental impacts of the Rampal power plant project on the biological resources of in and around the site area are severe. On the basis of present conditions of the study areas like physico-chemical conditions of air, water and soil; meteorological data and, floral and faunal status it can be concluded that inside and outside of the project area such as Rampal, Mongla and the adjacent Sundarbans, all of the areas will be affected by different types of pollution including the already present salinity intrusion. Floral and faunal statuses are indicating that some plants and animals are already extinct, and some are in rare condition due to natural climatic hazards. Due to pollution of the coal-fired power plant, changing air, water and soil quality of the study areas will destroy the rest of the floral and faunal diversity. Sattar (2011) describes on the emission level of different toxic gases and heavy metals of coal fired power plants. The wind flow is indicating that the total study area i.e. Rampal, Mongla and the Sundarbans will be affected by the toxic gases and ashes of the coal based power plant in different seasons. It is a matter to be concerned when the Sundarbans reserve forest is already facing threats from natural calamity, deforestation, rise in salinity and extinction of many species mainly due to human carelessness, ignorance and lack of implementation of laws, poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

IR=Irreversible RM= Reversible with mitigation

Conclusion:

Local and international experts and environmentalists have raised their concern that the power plant activities could change the critical water balance in the Sundarbans region, pollute the surrounding water and air, and increase the risk of oil and coal spills. All of these could have an impact on the Sundarbans mangrove forest, and threaten the well-being of the people and animals who call that area home. The land owners are accusing the Government that they were not consulted before selecting the site for the power plant as agriculture and fishing is their main source of income. Therefore, as they have no other means to live their life, this project will heavily impact on their lifestyle.

REFERENCES

1. Bangladeshi government released a 676-page Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Jeremy Hance – author mongabay.comarticle.The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports. Khulna University Dhaka Tribune Engineer MowdudRahman A West, B Lawson, M Luger, K Govender
United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation website 7 August 2016

2. CEGISRampal Power Plant Environmental Impact Assessment 2013

3. Dr A H Chowdhury Environmental Impact of Coal Based Power Plant of Rampal on the Sundarbans and Surrounding Areas, Khulna University.

http://bagerhatsociety.com.

4. http://ieefa.org/wp-content Risky and Over SubsidisedA Financial Analysis of the Rampal Power Plant

5. ORGANIZATION CONSULTATION NEPA, CEQA, Bangladeshi Government Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Khulna University in Bangladesh