NEPAL-BANGLADESH RELATIONS : RETROSPECT AND PROSPECTS

Outline

1. Introduction 2. Oil Exploration and the Need for EIA: A General
Discussion 3. Oil Exploration in the Sunderbans: An Assessment of its
Environmental Effects 4. Regulations Pertaining to Environmental-Conservation and EIA in Bangladesh 5. An Appraisal of the EIA Process in Bangladesh 6. Concluding Remarks

NEPAL-BANGLADESH RELATIONS : RETROSPECT AND PROSPECTS

Author: ABM Ziaur Rahman

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/ BIISSj2003v24n3a3

ABSTRACT

Since the 1990s, mainly under economic compulsions, Bangladesh opened up its energy sector for the International Oil Companies to explore and exploit hydrocarbon resources in different blocks in the country, including the ecologically critical Sunderbans. Under the existing rules and regulations in Bangladesh, hydrocarbon exploration projects require to carryout a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and implement the recommended measures. In this respect, the article discusses various aspects that the EIA document should take into consideration and their application in the case of Bangladesh. Reviewing EIA processes and documents, the article finds different problems with respect to its application in Bangladesh as in other countries for a number of reasons. Consequently, true adherence to EIA continues to remain half-hearted in most of the cases. If it continues to be so, deterioration in environmental conditions with decline in the quality of people's life would remain as a challenge in the future.

BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

Outline