An abode of wildernesses in urbanity
Aerial view of 'Arayanalaya.'
Keeping animals in zoo for public recreation is an old concept. In a few past centuries many zoos have been established around the world as refuge for the captured wild animals mainly for giving people pleasure. Even today the zoos are not discarded in the face of movements by animal rights groups. Rather, some new zoos are being set up with a view to promoting care of people for the wild animals, reproduction of endangered species and scope of research on wild animals. 'Arannyalaya' abode of wilderness set up in 1999 is such an initiative of Savar Cantonment. On 27th February in 1999 the mini-zoo was inaugurated by the then Chief of Staff, Bangladesh Army, Lieutenant General Muhammad Mostafizur Rahman. Naming of the zoological parkNaming of the park seems worthy enough with both its centre and outskirt being green and pristine with undisturbed vegetation comprising Shal trees as dominant species .While visiting the site you may misperceive these trees as natural growth. On one side you find a very large patch littered with fallen leaves but none allowed to collect them. Such a park can naturally be termed as 'Abode of wildernesses'. Physiographic characteristics
The mini zoo is situated in the heart of military farm of Savar Cantonment about 35 kilometers north-west of Dhaka. If you travel from Dhaka to Savar the mini zoo will come on your right after you have passed CRP, a dedicated organization for rehabilitation of paralyzed people. The patch of land on which the zoo stands is under the Madhupur Tract, a distinct physiographic unit of Bangladesh that is originally a table-land surrounded by the old gangetic flood plain. The soil is reddish because it contains oxidized iron mottles formed with Madhupur clay. Some hillocks are also found throughout Ashulia union, which is an administrative unit of Savar Thana .The landscape has some highlands with gentle slope. Representation of the erstwhile canopy
These green covers contain the remnant biotic diversity of this part of erstwhile green and vast landscape of Madhupur tract. There are several patches of Shal plantation in Arannyalaya. Animals
There are many types of birds and animals in the Arannyalaya mini-zoo. Among the mammals three species of deer, rhesus monkey, common languor and a pair of bears are notable. Pigeon, peacock, Tarki, dove, titir and bajirigar are among the birds of Arannyalaya. A male python of 7-10 years age is the only snake in the zoo. Status of wildlife
Veterinary specialists of military farm supervise the health and nutrition of the animals. Breeding is only possible for the monkeys and deer in Arannyalaya. Treatment facility for the inhabitants is yet to be adequate. Spaces are still not sufficient for healthy living of the animals. Things are, of course, expected to improve. Ecosystem analysis
Arannyalaya is situated in plantation of high yielding varieties of grass used as fodder in the military farm. The leaves and dead branches of the sal trees are not harvested or removed from there. Even the litters that fall and accumulate on the horizontal bottom of the trees are kept in place. In the rainy season the area encounters huge amount of downpour. The wet, humid and hot weather prevailing in July-August favours the decomposition of litters that definitely improve the soil fertility under the canopy. But what occurs to many forests is people from enter the forest and collect different types of biomass (branches and leaves) for utilizing in hearth. Many studies showed that the poor people near forest and rangeland collect fuelwood and other solid fuel in a huge quantity from the natural ecosystems. The soil does not get back the nutrients especially the nutrients that are got from minerals. As a result the soil of the ecosystem gets nutrient poor with time and becomes unable to support healthy tree populations. 'Arannyalaya' appears exceptional to me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is my everyday neighbour. To others also because of it being just within the city. Everyday, I used to take its glimpse twice -- once, when I went to my university (Jahangirnagar) and again when I returned home (old Dhaka) from there. Secondly, the presence of pristine Shal vegetation. Healthy condition of those trees is even rare at Shal forest of Modhupur tract due to human encroachment and other disturbances. 'Arannyalaya' may be replicated in possible other parts of Dhaka and in other cities as well for enhancing environment and conserving biodiversity.
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