Matarbari is a small offshore island under Cox's Bazar District of Chittagong Division of Bangladesh. The island is surrounded by Kutubdia Channel, Bay of Bengal and Kohelia River. The Matarbari island is divided into two administrative units of local government namely Dhalghata Union and Matarbari Union. The total population of the island is 57,814 and average density per sq. km. is 1,991 but the scenario of Dhalghata is quite tough with a density of 6,471 per sq. km. (BBS, 2014). Major occupation of the people are salt cultivation, agriculture, shrimp culture and fishing from the Bay of Bengal. Total land area of Matarbari Island is 29.03 sq. km. (7,176 acres). Out of the total area Dhalghata has only 494 acres of land while Matarbari has 6,682 acres.
A state owned company named Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) signed an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to finance for a 600X2 Megawatt Ultra Super Critical (USC) Coal-fired Power Plant in Matarbari Islands, Maheshkhali Upazila, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Total Budget of the Coal Power Plant is USD 3.2 Billon where JICA is providing USD 2.239 Billion and USD 0.81 Billion is contributed by Bangladesh Government. Three Japanese company - Sumitomo Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and IHI Corporation have got the contract of constructing power plant while Penta-Ocean Construction Ltd., Japan achieved the contract of preparatory construction work earlier.
A Japanese consulting farm TEPSCO with cooperation of JICA Study Team conducted the Environmental Impact Assessment of Matarbari Coal Power Plant and submitted their report to Department of Environment (DOE) in June 2013, only 5 days after the approval of ‘Terms of Reference (TOR) circulated by DOE. After evaluation of EIA Report and a number of visits to the area the Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is expressing its concerns as a initial observation.
Initial Observations
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Violation of Paris Agreement: As one of the Annex-1 Countries under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Japan is ethically and legally bounded to reduce global, we mean global, carbon emission. Only this coal power plant will emit 35,900 tonnes of Sulfur-Di-Oxide and 7,560,000 tonnes of Carbon-Di-Oxide including other destructive gases in the atmosphere every year. So, this power plant is completely contrary with the pledges of Japan in Paris Agreement and other instruments of United Nations.
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Violation of Paris Agreement: As one of the Annex-1 Countries under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Japan is ethically and legally bounded to reduce global, we mean global, carbon emission. Only this coal power plant will emit 35,900 tonnes of Sulfur-Di-Oxide and 7,560,000 tonnes of Carbon-Di-Oxide including other destructive gases in the atmosphere every year. So, this power plant is completely contrary with the pledges of Japan in Paris Agreement and other instruments of United Nations.
Displacement: Due to land acquisition for only Matarbari Coal Power Plant (CPGCBL-JICA) around 20,000 people have been displaced from their home and occupation. Number of displaced families from own home is quite lower (# 94) because the government took mostly agricultural land and shrimp farms for the project. As a result, sharecroppers, salt farmers, crab farmers, agricultural labours and fishermen are displaced brutally from the area. Total number of occupationally displaced people are 20,534 in which salt farmer 9,929, shrimp farmer and worker 7,290, crab farmer 375 and fishermen 2,940 (Azad, 2018).
Inadequate Compensation: The Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property Ordinance (1982) of the Government of Bangladesh does not mention any compensation for direct and indirect dependent individuals of land except the land owners. As a result, those that are dependent on land but are non-title holders are not legally recognized to receive compensation, which is contrary to the principles of international acquisition policies and rules.
- Dhalghata Union (Per 40 Decimal): Salt/Shrimp Farm: Compensation BDT 250 thousand: Market price BDT 500 - 600 thousand. Agriculture Land: Compensation BDT 350 thousand: Market price BDT 1.2 million. Households: Compensation BDT 3.3 million: Market Price BDT 5.0 million
- Matarbari Union (Per 40 Decimal): Salt/Shrimp Farm: Compensation BDT 450 thousand: Market price BDT BDT 500 - 600 thousand. Agriculture Land: Compensation BDT 1.0 million: Market price 1.2 million. Households: Compensation BDT 3.3 million: Market Price BDT 5.0 million
Absence of Rehabilitation: No rehabilitation plan has been implemented till now although the people was displaced four years earlier.
Public Participation Denied: There were a very few people were invited and attended the consultation meetings. Even who were participated claimed that their comments were not written in meeting minutes which were attached with the report. In addition, powerful political party leaders and administration had threatened to file cases and take legal actions against those who opposed the power plant.
Violation of Procedures: The EIA report was submitted for approval to the DOE only 5 days after the approval of ‘Terms of Reference (TOR) circulated by DOE. Similarly, the first stakeholder meeting for Matarbari EIA was held before the approval of TOR. According to the local people, it was pre-decided that the power project would be established in the places and rest of the procedures were mere formality. Land acquisition was completed and handed over to the implementing agencies by evicting land and shrimp farm owners without giving prior notice as required under section 6 and 7 of the Land Acquisition Act 1982.
Conflict of Interest: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report of Matarbari Coal Power Plant had been conducted by a Japanese company named TEPSCO with cooperation of JICA Study Team. There are high possibilities of Conflict of Interest in the process of EIA. As JICA Study Team worked directly with TEPSCO with due credit in the report, it is highly possible that the report is biased in favour of JICA.
Violation of Law by Approving the EIA: Matarbari is an island in the Bay of Bengal and highly populated area (6,667 per km2). According to the Environmental Conservation Act 1995 (amendment 2010) and EIA Guideline for Industries 1997, any industry under Red Category is totally prohibited in the populated or human settlement area. Besides there were a good number of mangrove species at seashores of Matarbari which are under Forest Department. But the Department of Environment (DOE) did not seek any opinion from the Forest Department in approving site clearance of this project.
Ignored Natural Canals: There are a number of canals and creeks in the Matarbari and Dhalghata Union. But the EIA Report doesn't mention any water channels in the islands.
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| Long Term Industrial Plan in Matarbari Islands: JICA (15 January 2017) |
Pollution of Ash: According to the EIA report of Matarbari Coal Power Plant, 20% ash will be generated after burning coal. To preserve this ash, a pond across 183 acres land area is supposed to be dug. According to local people, if not appropriately controlled, flying ash will create a disaster in the surrounding area. Besides the ash pond in the cyclone and flood prone area will pollute soil and ground water by mixing up with rain water and spreading beyond the plant area.
Ecologically Critical Area: The project is situated within 14 km north from Sonadia Island which is an Ecologically critical area (ECA) which is also a vital route of migratory birds from Northern and central Asia to Southeast Asia.
No Information Disclosure: Although it is a public project there are no information available on project implementation, budget, evaluation process, Even the project profile has not been disclosed in public domain both from the JICA or Bangladesh Government's part.
Recent Movements of Local People
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23 November 2017: Demonstration with shroud dress in protest of eviction from home without compensation
22 January 2018: Human Chain demanding resettlement with dignity
16 March 2018: Submission of memorandum to the Prime Minister with appeal to select actual land owners for compensation
28 March 2018: Local Union Parishad Chairman (elected representative of local government) appealed to different departments for adequate compensation and resettlement of the people under his territory
5 April 2018: Procession against corruption in distribution of compensation
12 April 2018: Human Chain demanding adequate compensation
15 April 2018: Submission of Memorandum to DC Office demanding compensation for actual owner of the lands
12 July 2018: Protest against corruption in distribution of compensation
15 July 2018: Common people met Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Maheshkhali and demanded adequate compensation for their lands and livelihoods which they lost.
22 January 2018: Human Chain demanding resettlement with dignity
16 March 2018: Submission of memorandum to the Prime Minister with appeal to select actual land owners for compensation
28 March 2018: Local Union Parishad Chairman (elected representative of local government) appealed to different departments for adequate compensation and resettlement of the people under his territory
5 April 2018: Procession against corruption in distribution of compensation
12 April 2018: Human Chain demanding adequate compensation
15 April 2018: Submission of Memorandum to DC Office demanding compensation for actual owner of the lands
12 July 2018: Protest against corruption in distribution of compensation
15 July 2018: Common people met Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Maheshkhali and demanded adequate compensation for their lands and livelihoods which they lost.
Demands of BWGED
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- To limit the global warming at 1.5 degree Celsius in the line of Paris Agreement, Japan must stop this coal power plant and all future plants in Bangladesh.
- Immediate distribution of compensation for the affected peoples for their sufferings, loss of livelihoods and occupational displacement.
- Immediately open the natural water channels and sluice gates so that the people can recover their normal life after removal of water stagnant.
Contributor
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Hasan Mehedi
Focal Point, Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED)
7 August 2018