A human chain was organized by the Haor Protection Movement Moulvibazar District Committee protesting the initiative to set up a solar power plant in Kawadighi Haor and demanding implementation of 11-point demands to protect the region's environment and biodiversity.
The hour-long demonstration took place on Saturday noon in the Chowmuhana area of Moulvibazar town. Following the human chain, a views-exchange meeting was held at the Moulvibazar Municipality Auditorium involving farmers, fishermen from seven haor-adjacent upazilas, and district administration representatives.
The meeting was presided over by ASM Saleh Sohel, central member of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), and conducted by environmental activist M. Khasru Chowdhury.
Speakers at the event included: Tanvir Hossain, Additional District Magistrate and representative of the Deputy Commissioner,Md. Iqbal, President of BAPA, Moulvibazar,Bokshi Iqbal Ahmed, Convener of Moulvibazar Press Club,Advocate Humayun Rashid Shoaib,Md. Alomgir Hossain, Khayrul Islam, Shamsuddin Master, Khayrul Haque,Minnat Ali, President, Baikka Beel Management Committee,Bidhu Bhushan, Shamsul Haque Sardar, A.K.M. Abdus Salam,Theater personality Shaheen Iqbal, among others
Speakers warned that certain groups are attempting to destroy the ecology and biodiversity of Kawadighi and Hail Haor for financial gain. If the solar power plant is established in Kawadighi Haor, it would severely disrupt the region’s ecological balance.
They cited the environmental destruction caused by Pran Company in Hail Haor, which has led to ecological disaster and flooding. They demanded the removal of all illegal installations by Pran, and emphasized that no such project should be undertaken without consulting environmental experts.
They also called for: Strict action against those violating land, environmental, and haor development masterplan laws Punishment for the Assistant Director of the Department of Environment (DoE) in Moulvibazar for alleged negligence Eradication of governance irregularities persisting for 53 years and establishment of rule of law
They warned that citizens from both home and abroad have united against the destruction of the haor, and if the administration fails to act responsibly, further protest programs will be announced.
Chief Guest Tanvir Hossain, Additional District Magistrate, assured, the district administration is fully aware of the interests of Moulvibazar's farmers and fishermen. No industrial project that harms the environment will be allowed in this district. The public and the administration are united in this cause — we must all work together to protect our environment.”
