Affected people must be resettled before Phulbari open-pit mining: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (2 September) said the government would ensure proper rehabilitation of people affected by any proposed open-pit coal mining project in Dinajpur’s Phulbari before proceeding with extraction.

“Phulbari coal is one of the best-quality coals in the world. If we can extract this coal to meet the country’s energy needs, then it will certainly be good for the country and save foreign currency,” he told parliament in reply to a question from Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker for a reserved women’s seat, Sabikun Nahar.

The prime minister said the government would consider the interests and livelihoods of affected people before making any decision on the project.

“We are politicians, and we do politics for the country and its people,” he said, acknowledging that open-pit mining could affect agricultural land and settlements in the area.

He said the government would first examine how affected people could be properly rehabilitated and ensure that their income and livelihoods were not disrupted.

The government would also consider ways for local communities to benefit from the project if it is eventually implemented, he added.

Tarique said environmental concerns would be given due importance in any decision on the proposed mining project.

“We will review these issues and take any decision giving due importance to environmental concerns,” he said.

Earlier, Sabikun Nahar said increased coal extraction could help address the country’s energy crisis but warned that open-pit mining could have serious consequences for agricultural land, settlements, groundwater and biodiversity.

She said local residents had been raising concerns over the proposed Phulbari coal project for years.

“Agricultural land should not be destroyed, thousands of people should not be displaced, or long-term environmental damage should not be accepted in the name of tackling the energy crisis,” she said.

Before proceeding with the project, she urged the government to conduct comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments and ensure the consent of local communities.