Stay vigilant to protect our natural resources

Development projects that negatively affect people's livelihoods and  harm the environment should not be allowed anywhere, and people have to remain alert to protect the country's natural resources, said speakers yesterday.

They said this at an event in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur, marking 14th anniversary of Phulbari Day.

National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports organised the programme, participated by activists, residents of Phulbari and members of left-leaning organisations.

This year, however, the programmes were held on a limited scale due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

On August 26, 2006, people of Phulbari and its surrounding upazilas  brought out a procession, protesting the proposed open-pit Phulbari coal  mining project. Law enforcers opened fire on the protesters, killing at  least three people and injuring more than 200.

Since then, people of Phulbari upazila have been observing the day as a "black day".

Yesterday, residents  began the day by placing flowers at the memorial built in  remembrance of the day on the riverbank of Small Jamuna in Phulbari  town. Later, they held a rally there around 10:30am.

As representatives from the national committee could not be present  physically, a written speech by Prof Anu Mohammad, member secretary of  the committee, was read out at the gathering.

In the note, Anu Mohammad said, "People of the country are owners of its resources. Projects in the name of development that are  harmful to people and the environment will not be allowed to be implemented  anywhere."

He said not just people of Phulbari, they are all in this fight together.

Anu Muhammad alleged that the government has  plans to implement the Phulbari coalmine project by hiring a Chinese  company. The letter urged people to take lessons from the day and stay alert and united to protect natural resources.

Speakers at the event also urged the government to implement the six-point demand signed 12 years ago on August 30 in 2006. The demands include withdrawal of cases against leaders of the Phulbari movement.

They said if implemented, the project -- which covers four upazilas,  including Phulbari, Birampur, Nawabganj and Parbatipur -- will displace  around 4.60 lakh people.

Among others, Mosharraf Hossain Nannu, general secretary of Bangladesh United Communist League; and Rabindranath Soren, president of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, adressed the event.