Tk 64cr project to establish Bangabandhu safari park

12 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Bss, Dhaka

The government has approved a project to establish Bangabandhu Safari Park in Gazipur aimed at protecting the historic Modhupur Shal Forests as well its the biodiversity. The Ministry of Environment and Forests initiated the project. Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved the Tk 64 crore project under which steps would be taken for protecting the natural habitats of many rare species of flora and fauna from encroachment. The ministry has initiated the project with eight objectives, including conservation of forests, wild species and biodiversity, side by side promoting eco-tourism, State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahmud said yesterday. Steps would be taken for conserving rare and endangered wild species, improving biodiversity of the forest through participation of local people under the three-year project, he said. The Modhuban Shal Forest, about 40km north of Dhaka city, was famous for peacocks, tiger, leopard, black panther, elephant, clouded leopard and Sambar deer. However, illegal felling of trees has caused disappearance of most of the wildlife and floras. Most of the forest has been denuded and is now occupied by land grabbers and displaced people. Officials said 1,987 hectares of forest land of Sreepur Range of the Forest Department would be developed as a safe habitat for both herbivorous and carnivorous animals. The project would be one of the government initiatives for conservation of forests to protect wild animals in line with the international multilateral environment agreements, they said. For the project, they said, the government would acquire 80.97 hectares of private land. Grassland would be developed on 150 hectares of plain area while fruit bearing trees would be planted on 80 hectares of land to ensure food security of birds and animals. A large area of forest would be encircled for tigers and lions and a natural interpretation center cum nature history, three water bodies, one veterinary hospital and a 10km bituminous and three kilometre brick made road would be constructed under the project. According to the officials, the forest now has about 220 plant species, including 43 different tree species, 19 shrubs, 3 palms, 27 grasses, 24 vines and 104 herbs. The wildlife in the park includes 13 mammals, 9 reptiles, 5 birds and 5 amphibians. In addition, the Forest Department has recently introduced peacocks, deer, pythons, and catfish.