Proposed Sylhet Children's Park gets no response from investors

The site of the proposed Children's Park and Zoo near the city. PHOTO: STAR

The decision to invite private entrepreneurs was taken after the authorities failed to set up a Natural Park on the land at Baishtila on the outskirts of the city. The site was prepared for a park long ago.

Tender was floated last month for the fourth time.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The first tender floated in August last year was cancelled as only one party responded. None responded to the second tender in October. In the third tender floated in January this year, only one party responded.

The Sylhet Zila Parishad owns the 43.39 acre land proposed for the park. The area with a scenic beauty and having small hillocks and about 10,000 trees of different types was acquired decades ago for establishing a natural park.

As per the conditions, the land will be leased for ten years. The lessee will pay revenue every year, build the park and run it commercially, keeping the bio- diversity intact. The lessee will also collect animals for the proposed zoo.

Some sources said around Tk three crore would be needed to build the park and the zoo.

Sylhet Zila Parishad had leased the site in 1999 to a company for ten years through tender to set up a 'natural park' on certain conditions. While signing the agreement in December 1999, the company paid Tk 2.5 lakh as revenue for the first year (2000). It was supposed to pay the total amount of Tk 36 lakh in three years.

But the company neither the start work not made any more payment. As per the contract, the company was supposed to complete the park in three years.

Official sources said the defaulter company has been asked to pay the rest amount. Otherwise, legal steps will be taken against it.