ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF ENERGY EXPLORATION IN BANGLADESH AND THE ROLE OF EIA: THE CASE OF THE SUNDERBANS

This article assesses environmental risks associated with energy exploration in and around the Sundarbans and evaluates the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) as a governance tool. It outlines the ecological significance of the world’s largest mangrove forest—its biodiversity, cyclone buffering, and livelihoods—then maps pressure points created by seismic surveys, drilling logistics, shipping, and ancillary infrastructure. Reviewing Bangladeshi legal provisions and international good practice, the study argues that EIAs must be cumulative, transparent, and enforceable to be credible. It recommends exclusion zones, seasonal work windows, spill-response capacity, stakeholder consultation, and independent monitoring. The analysis concludes that energy security objectives can be met only if project design internalizes ecological externalities and aligns incentives toward long-term stewardship.

The body starts with an ecological profile of the Sundarbans: salinity gradients, nursery functions for fisheries, and habitat for endangered species. Section One catalogs exploration activities and their impact pathways—noise and vibration from seismic lines, sediment disruption, and increased vessel traffic—quantifying plausible effect sizes where data exist. Section Two reviews the legal framework: ECA 1995, ECR 1997, EIA rules, protected-area notifications, and international conventions relevant to mangrove conservation. Section Three critiques EIA practice, identifying gaps in baseline data, stakeholder mapping, and mitigation hierarchy application; it proposes cumulative impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment for regional planning. Section Four sets design standards: double-hulled fuel barges, low-sulfur fuels, waste management plans, and emergency drills integrated with local agencies. Section Five offers a governance model with third-party audits, community monitoring, and open data portals for compliance. The conclusion argues that credible EIAs reduce risk premia for investors while safeguarding an irreplaceable ecosystem and the livelihoods that depend on it.