Sad to see tigers imprisoned in safari parks: Deputy minister

Criticising the approach of safari parks for the so-called conservation of wildlife, Begum Habibun Nahar, deputy minister for environment, forest and climate change, today (July 2, 2022) said "it's sad to watch wildlife suffering in the enclosures of safari park".

"When I visit to Gazipur (safari park), I feel sad seeing the tigers imprisoned – languishing in enclosures. They seem to be exhausted, remain immobile. Their sufferings go beyond words," she remarked.

She made the comments at Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation Federation seminar held at Shilpakala Academy in Khulna city today.

Begum Habibun Nahar, deputy minister for environment, forest and climate change, speaking at Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation Federation seminar held at Shilpakala Academy in Khulna city today (July 2, 2022). Photo: Mostafa Yousuf /Star

The deputy minister said she is personally against the zoo and safari park approach, citing an age-old Bangla proverb: "Bonnyera bon e shundor, shishura matrikrore" (The wild are beautiful in the forest and children in mothers' laps).

Seizing wildlife from forests and displaying them for entertainment does not go with the sensitivity of this era.

"Nowadays we are seeing many safari parks opening up. A day may come when our natural forests will vanish and these safari parks will thrive," she feared.

Habibun Nahar also criticised the roundtable meeting, saying such meetings in air-conditioned rooms produce nothing for the nation.

She underscored the need to protect the Sundarbans forest for the sake of the country.

The seminar brought up hundreds of volunteer organisation working for the conservation of Sundarbans. They demanded official identity card so that they can work for the conservation without any hassle.

They also urged the authority to arrange training, provide necessary equipment to rescue wildlife and release them back into forests.

Molla Rezaul Karim, conservator of forest (wildlife and nature conservation), thanked the organisations and assured them of extending necessary help in their effort.

Mihir Kumar Doe, conservator of forest (Khulna Circle) presided over the seminar while divisional forest officers from west and east of Sundarbans were present, among others.