Review Assessment of Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Deterioration Due to Built-Form Considering the Implementation of Rampal Power Plant near Sundarban Forest

Abstract

The Rampal power plant, also known as the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, is a proposed coal-fired power plant in Rampal near Sundarban, the largest mangrove forest of the world, Khulna division, Bangladesh. Environmentalists objected to the construction many times but the government still could not reach any final decisions about the replacement of the powerplant. As Sundarban is listed in the world heritage site, UNESCO is also perturbate to the matter: already many have been agreed putting Sundarban in endangered list. The aim of this paper is to establish a broad overview how built form responsible for biodiversity loss and ecosystem deterioration. Rampal power plant and Sundarban mangrove forest has been selected for this study. A general analysis and overview have been generated from secondary resources. The study confirms that Sundarban Mangroves is already facing biodiversity loss due to intensified shrimp cultivation, increased dependency on forest and illicit felling, changing land use pattern, oil spillage, and pollution, forest fire, improper management practices, plant diseases, tourism activities, upstream withdrawal of river water, salinity intrusion, climate change, and some natural causes where the implementation of coal based power plant will be acting as major reason for serious ecological and environmental hazard. Therefore, some recommendations have given to minimize the negative impact on the ecosystem. The outcome of the study is expected to make the authorities and people aware of the biodiversity loss and ecosystem deterioration of the Sundarban forest and they have specific responsibilities to protect and maintain this area. It will also raise awareness on the settlement of any built form like Rampal power plants near this sensitive area among authorities, engineers, architects & planners.