Local residents of Kalarmarchhara in Maheshkhali have urged authorities not to approve any new development projects that could further damage the area’s environment, natural resources and livelihoods.
The demand came at a stakeholder and consultation meeting on the master plan of the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) held at the temporary Kalarmarchhara Union Parishad office on Thursday.
The meeting was chaired by Kalarmarchhara Union Parishad Acting Chairman Abu Ahmed. Commander Junaid Mahmud, Director of Port Logistics, Maritime Security and Enforcement and the official responsible for MIDA, Dr Rashid, representatives of JICA, local BNP leaders, journalists, Union Parishad members and people from various professions attended the meeting.
Speakers said MIDA covers 34,181.044 acres of land, of which 7,123.678 acres are located in Kalarmarchhara. They expressed concern over the potential environmental and social impact of development projects in the area.
They said many local people had already lost their livelihoods after surrendering land for a coal-fired power plant. They also criticised the construction of an SPM project, alleging that hundreds of acres of hills were cut and that previous stakeholder consultations had failed to adequately protect local interests.
According to the speakers, polluted water discharged from development projects is damaging crops and fish farms. They also claimed that environmental degradation has increased health risks for residents.
The participants called on MIDA to prioritise environmental protection and local livelihoods in preparing its master plan. They strongly opposed further land acquisition, saying residents want to preserve the land they have and continue farming and other traditional livelihoods.
“We do not want any more land acquisition or new projects. We want to survive with what we have by cultivating our land,” the speakers said.
