Govt moving forward with 3rd Bangabandhu Safari Park at Tk 870cr cost

Despite criticism from environmentalists, amidst deaths of animals in Gazipur safari park, the government is moving forward with the project of third Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park at Lathitila forest in Juri, Moulvibazar.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin said they are setting up Lathitila Safari Park to conserve wildlife and biodiversity.

"The project of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park at Lathitila has been taken up under the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and after repeated feasibility study and research. If this safari park is built, Lathitila forest will be protected from illegal occupiers," the minister said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a national workshop organised by the Forest Department in Dhaka's Agargaon today to approve the proposed master plan for setting up Lathitila Safari Park.

The minister said, the experience of the two previously built safari parks will be utilised in the third project so that no animals die unnatural deaths. He added that tourists from different parts of the country and from abroad will be able to visit and gain knowledge about different types of local and foreign animals.

The minister said that arrangements will be made to rehabilitate the families living illegally in the forest in due course.

Read more

HC asks govt to explain animals' death in safari park

Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar; Secretary Mostafa Kamal; Additional Secretary (administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun; and Additional Secretary (development) Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik spoke as special guests at the workshop chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury.

Architect Ishtiaqe Zahir and Project Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury presented the master plan of the safari park.

In addition, representatives of different departments, agencies and experts spoke on the occasion.

The construction of the safari park is planned for 2022-2026 at a cost of Tk 870.90 crore.