There is a new threat that could inflict serious damage to the Sundarbans: a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest mangrove forest in the world (UNESCO, 2016). The Bangladeshi company The Orion Group wants to build a coal-fired plant inside this irreplaceable ecosystem.
Such an act would have far-reaching consequences. First of all, 106 Royal Bengal Tigers currently reside within the Bangladesh Sundarbans (Inskip, Carter, Riley, Roberts, & MacMillan, 2016). The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the most threatened of all big cats (Hunter, 2015), numbering only 3,890 wild individuals and occupying just 4% of their historic range (Howard, 2016; Panthera, 2015c). Damaging the Sundarbans, one of their last strongholds, is the last thing the species needs.
Just as importantly, 1.7 million people live directly outside the Sundarbans. Extreme poverty forces most of them to rely almost entirely on forest resources for their survival (Inskip et al., 2013). Damaging the Sundarbans by building a coal-fired plant would seriously threaten their way of life. Bangladesh and India are also the countries most at risk from global climate change (Braun, 2010). Since coal is the dirtiest of all fossil fuels, this is the worst place to put a coal-fired plant.
But we can help protect the people and tigers who rely on the Bangladesh Sundarbans. The Rainforest Action Network and CREDO Action have started a petition urging the U.S. Export-Import Bank to refuse to fund the project. The Orion Group has approached this U.S. government agency for financing, and we have to make sure they never get it.
Further Reading:
Braun, D. M. (2010, October 20). Bangladesh, India Most Threatened by Climate Change, Risk Study Finds. National Geographic. Retrieved from http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2010/10/20/bangladesh_india_at_risk_from_climate_change/.
The Rainforest Action Network’s statement on the project
The Sundarbans – UNESCO World Heritage Center
The endangered animals give me a lot of grief. This animal is beautiful, and your post is full of wisdom . we must promote animal care . Thanks
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Thank you, I’m glad you’re so concerned about these animals. We need more people like you!
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Does being designated a UNESCO site mean nothing? I thought that included some protection?
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I’m not sure if it entails any protection, as this is the first time I’ve heard of anyone wanting to destroy a World Heritage site. It seems like there’s always a way around the law when money is involved though, which is why we need to try to stop the U.S. Export-Import Bank from funding the project.
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Reblogged this on "OUR WORLD".
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Signed.
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Leonard Durso.
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Signed the petetion. I do not understand why the company wants to set up in Sunderbans in spite of knowing it’s ecological value!
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Thank you! Though I couldn’t remember where I first heard the information (which is why I left it out of the post), I know I’ve heard that the Sundarbans is also Bangladesh’s best defense against rising sea levels and storms associated with climate change. So damaging it in any way seems ludicrous.
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great insightful post on the BengalTtiger and it’s habitat
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Thanks Mukul!
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welcome
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As someone who has been to the Sunderbans on multiple occasions, this post makes me sad!
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Whoa, you’ve actually been there?!?! That’s awesome! Hopefully we can stop this coal plant from destroying the forest.
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It’s a few hours journey from where I live.
And yes, hopefully we can do so!
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You’re so lucky! I’m happy you get to live so close to such a natural wonder.
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Signed! Thank you for sending out the alert! Blessings to you!
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Thank YOU for signing!
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Reblogged this on Arundhati's Blog and commented:
A plea to sign the petition ongoing.
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