Environmentally unfriendly : Activists oppose government plan to generate power using coal

Point out adverse effects it will have on humans and nature.

HYDERABAD: Coal power generation methodology has been globally declared as destructive for humans, nature, earth and may affect the water sources close to these plants, said Jamil Junejo, a graduate of human rights and environment.

He was speaking at a forum organised to mark the 'Global Day of Action against Coal Power'. The event was jointly organised by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum on Sunday evening.

The speakers at the forum opposed the government's plan to harness coal energy for power generation. They cited adverse impacts on the human health and environment of coal to press the government to adopt environment friendly means of electricity production.

HRCP Sindh Taskforce coordinator Dr Ashothama Lohano pointed out that the coal power plant in Jamshoro, whose expansion plan is underway, continues to contaminate Indus river. He claimed that the waste generated from the plant, which is located on the Indus Highway a few kilometers away from Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, is also dumped in the river.

Coal exploitation and burning will destroy Tharparkar's grazing fields, sully the subsoil water and harm the desert's wildlife, remarked rights activist from Tharparkar, Abbas Khuhro.

The other speakers emphasised that protection of ecology and environment should be given precedence in all the development projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2016.