The government has undertaken a project to save the Sundarbans from pollution created by the waste of sea bound ships navigating through Poshur channel from the Mongla seaport.
Welcoming the initiative that fulfills a longtime demand of the country’s environmentalists, experts stressed on providing overall idea over the ecological and environmental context of the mangrove forest to the sailors navigating through the channel.
The Tk 401.24 crore project styled ‘Mongla Port released oil and waste management project’ is expected to be implemented from January next after getting government approval. The project is scheduled to end on June 30, 2022.
The Mongla Port Authority will implement the project through the Ministry of Shipping, said sources, to quickly and efficiently remove the oil that spread from sea bound ships to Poshur channel and rivers surrounding the Mongla port.
“For this, an oil recovery fleet will be formed,” they added.
Officials of the Planning Commission said after receiving the proposal, a meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) was held on August 28 last.
Implementing the recommendations given there, the officials said, the Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been restructured. “This is now approval of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC),” they added.
Shipping Ministry sources said under the project, industrial oil, plastic oil and other solid wastages can be sold in the market; after separating them through waste management from the oil and various petroleum wastes discharged from bulk, containers, tankers and other vessels operating in Mongla Port.
At the same time, sources also said, the project would also protect the environment and biodiversity of the Sundarbans.
They said if oil tankers or ships collide in the Mongla Channel or the rivers surrounding the Mongla port and the Sundarbans, they would be stuck by boom before spreading.
“Besides, the oil will be collected through the oil removal vessel and deposited in the IBC tank. When the IBC tank is full, it will be deposited in the floating storage tank.
“In this way, after collecting the distilled oil, it will be treated separately under waste management and stored separately for use and separation of water and other contaminants,” sources said, adding vessels will be used for security inspections, emergency piloting and regular channel inspections.
Related sources said the project will include 1 waste collecting vessel, 2 oil removal vessels, 1 set workshop cleaning equipment, 2 dumps, 1 pickup van, 2 dump barges, 1 self-propelled vessel, 1 service tug boat, 1 mooring gear along with pontoon. 1 forklift, 2 mobile crane, 5 containers, 50 20 liters container, post reception facilities, 1 set yard cleaning equipment, jetty 1500 square meter, shed 200 square meter and 300 square meter burn house will be constructed.
Shamima Nargis, a member of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, who is in-charge for the project, said, "If the project is implemented, the management and efficiency of new waste and released oil removal of Mongla port will be enhanced. The environment will be protected. In addition, it will play a vital role in protecting the Sundarbans from the pollution of ship at Mongla port and keeping the Poshur channel and rivers around the Mongla port free from polluted oil. ”
