Dhaka: Amid environmentalists’ outcry over setting up Rampal Thermal Power Plant, ‘Sundarbans Day’ will be observed in the country’s costal districts on Sunday to raise awareness among people about the importance of protecting the world’s largest mangrove forest.

The day has been unofficially being observed on 14 February since 2002 with various programmes.

Different press clubs, Sundarbans Academy and other social and environmental organisations in the coastal districts, including Khulna, Bagerhat, Barguna and Satkhira have chalked out various programmes to mark the day. The programmes include discussion, rally and human chain. Reports UNB.

Meanwhile, Sundarban Rokkha Jatiya Committee and Save the Sundarbans Foundation arranged two separate discussions in Dhaka on Saturday marking the day. The speakers at the programme criticised the government for its move to set up Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans.

They urged the government to stop installing the power plant and setting up any heavy industry near it to save the forest and its biodiversity.

At the Jatiya Sundarbans Conference in 2001, it was decided to observe 14 February as Sundarbans Day alongside Valentine’s Day. Though the green activists have been demanding to observe it nationally, it remained unheeded for the last 15 years.

The Sundarbans is the country’s only natural tiger habitat and a popular tourism spot due to its untamed attractive mangrove landscape.