Dhaka – A civic group in Bangladesh has been planning to send a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him for measures to scrap the Bangladesh-India joint-venture to set up a coal-based power plant near the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest.

The group in Dhaka disclosed that they would ask the Indian premier to have his hand to help their endavour to stop the project at Rampal, 14 kilometers away from the mangrove forest.

The group has been crying for long time asking the Bangladeshi government to stop construction of the 1300 mw power plant as the activists believe construction of the project would result in catastrophe on the mangrove forest, also a world heritage site.

The group, identified as National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, said its leaders will hand the letter to Indian High Commissioner on October 18.

Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the group, made the announcement at a press briefing in Dhaka. On the day of handover, the committee will bring out a procession at Jatiya Press Club.

Bangladesh government said it was determined to construction the power plant to met the growing electricity demand in the fast growing economy.