Lawmakers, fisheries experts and environmental activists have called for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and expanding renewable energy to protect fisheries, aquatic biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.
The call came at a discussion titled “Renewables Now to Protect Fisheries” at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized under the Renewables Now campaign by Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA), Dream Research and Development Foundation (DRDF), Sundarban and Coastal Protection Movement and 34 other organizations.
Speakers said ash, heated water and pollutants from coal-fired power plants can affect river water quality, dissolved oxygen and fish survival.
They urged environmental impact assessments of fossil-fuel-based power plants in and around fish sanctuaries and breeding grounds, along with a planned transition to solar and other renewable technologies.
Engineer Md Ashraf Uddin Bokul, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Defence, said duty and VAT exemptions had been provided for renewable energy equipment as part of efforts to meet at least 20% of electricity demand from renewables by 2030.
He also highlighted rooftop solar, solar irrigation, renewable projects on government land and battery storage initiatives.
