The Phulbari Solidarity Group is a transnational activist group which exists to support and represent the communities located within the Phulbari region of Bangladesh in opposing the plans for a large-scale open-cast mine in the region. If the mine is built, it would lead to forced-displacement of up to 230, 000 people over the course (30 years) of the project. It would increase poverty and crisis of food production in a country which struggles to provide food supply to nearly one third of its population. The project would further cause water pollution and would plunder 94 percent of agricultural land in the region.  It would leave devastating impact on environment.

 

The Phulbari Solidarity Group opposes coal mining, coal power plants, and extractivism. The group sought to build a transnational network of campaigners that is dedicated to putting a halt to the  proposed Phulbari coal project. Based in the UK we work to ensure that GCM Resources Plc., a British-based multinational  extractive company that wants to build a 400MW coal project in Phulbari, has been held to account.

 

Originally initiated in 2011 by frontline climate activists from Phulbari and eye-witnesses to the killings on Phulbari Day on 26 August in 2006 when three young men were shot dead by the paramilitary forces of Bangladesh, allegedly hired by Asia Energy, the Bangladesh subsidiary GCM Resources, the Phulbari Solidarity Group acts as a gatekeeper to international and national/local activists in the building of resistance against the coal-project.  We work in solidarity with the people in Phulbari in their struggle to stop the devastating project.

 

We work and advocate for a permanent ban of the destructive coal project in Phulbari and any coal power plants through our transnational campaign and networks in both Bangladesh and abroad.  We are in particular determined to prevent forced-displacement and ecological catastrophe in Phulbari, Boropukuria,Dighipara, and Bangladesh. Our current campaign for Bangladesh supports the seven-point demands of the National Committee of Bangladesh(NCBD). However, our work is neither dependent on NCBD or nor limited to the scope of NCBD.

From over arching objectives to organisational structure, and from ethcis and methodology to goals, our work differs from the National Committee of Bangladesh. We focus on ecological struggles, defend land rights of indigenous people and women, and work with various communities to prevent extractivism and forced-displacement. For defending climate justice in Bangladesh and the Global South, we work closely with communities rathen than political parties.

Phulbari Solidarity Group has develped a wide network of anti-mining and anti-coal campaigners for working with communities and grassroots activist groups on the ground, working to address a national energy policy integrating the ecology of Phulbari and the Sundarbans, the world’s largest Mangrove forest in Khulna. We address the need for fossil free and renewable energy, ecological development and national sovereignty in Bangladesh.  We support renewable energy and prevention of environmental destruction.  We believe in energy democracy, ecological development.  frack-free society, and climate justice.

 

Funding

The Phulbari Solidarity Group (PSG) is primarily a self-funded activist group. We raise fund through our members donations and through community support when/as needed, for organising physical events.  Funding from external organisations are normally avoided for specific moral reasons. However, we do take voluntary support of external organisations, such as advocacy, art work, physical presence of activists at our protests, and logistics including hiring camera, loud-speakers, drum and noisy instruments to make our events successful. We also welcome independent donations from individuals within and outside the community.

 

If you wish to join us in campaigning activities to halt the proposed Phulbari project or wish to help us to achieve coal-free and renewable fuel, energy justice and ecological development in Bangladesh, please feel free to contact us. Our email address is: phulbarisolidaritygroup@gmail.com