Under-construction Sheikh Russel Eco-Park already drawing visitors

The construction work of “Sheikh Russel Eco-Park”, a project by Khulna district administration, is going on in full swing, aiming to fulfill the recreational needs of the city dwellers by creating a sanctuary for the wildlife and preserving the ecological balance of the region.

The eco-park is being constructed over 43 acres of land in Mathabhanga area of Batiaghata upazila. The work started in November 2017. Though it is still not ready for visitors, many people have started visiting the site to enjoy its beauty.

Visiting the site, this correspondent found a lake with well-decorated banks on both sides, a wooden bridge over the water-body, a floating restaurant, colourful waterfalls and a fish museum being constructed. The project, once completed, is expected to attract a large number of tourists.

The fish museum will preserve fossils of different water species and animals. In addition, a heritage museum will be set up to uphold the history of the Sundarbans, and a sanctuary for the preservation of wildlife.

A map on the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, a Unesco World Heritage site, will also be put on display in the park.

The eco-park is expected to meet the demand of the city dwellers as Khulna lacks recreational facilities, said some visitors while talking to this correspondent.

Once it is completed, visitors will also be able to enjoy the beauty of Rupsha River from the eco-park.

Taibur Tamim, a resident of Gollamari area of Khulna said the existing parks in the city are unable to meet the demands of the city residents as those lack adequate infrastructure.

Meanwhile, a bridge over the Rupsha River, infrastructure built on both sides and different plants of the Sundarbans planted in the area, are already attracting tourists in the park.

Water Development Board has taken a plan to build an embankment spending Tk 1.40 crore to turn the park into an attractive tourist spot, officials said.

The Forest Department has also taken a Tk 8.67 crore project for the lake and sight development and road construction in the eco-park.

Khulna district administration will also build a “Mangrove Culture Centre” spending Tk 1 crore, said Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Helal Hossain, adding that the project will be completed by 2021.