The environment ministry has approved the feasibility study report for setting up a safari park at Lathitila of Moulvibazar district.
The approval was given on Monday after a detailed discussion on the feasibility study report for setting up Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park on 5,631 acres of forest land, subject to necessary amendments, according to the ministry.
After Dulahazara and Gazipur, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved the feasibility study for setting up the country's third safari park at Lathitila in Juri upazila of Moulvibazar.
Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin MP was present as the chief guest at the virtual meeting chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury.
Secretary of the Ministry Md Mostafa Kamal was present as a special guest in the meeting. The team leader of the feasibility study Committee Dr Tapan Kumar Dey presented the report.
The Environment Minister said that according to the feasibility study report, setting up a safari park in Lathitila is more convenient and practical than other areas.
“The safari park is being set up at Lathitila in Juri upazila on the basis of consensus of the people of the area. If a safari park is established here, the forest will be protected from illegal occupation,” he added in the meeting.
He said tourists from different parts of the country will be able to come to the safari park and get acquainted with different types of domestic and foreign animals.
The minister said arrangements will be made to rehabilitate 58 families living illegally in the government forest and an eco-village will be established with the remaining families.
He directed the concerned to expedite the work of setting up the safari park by completing the rehabilitation process with utmost importance.
The proposed safari park will be convenient for tourists as it is located 60 km northeast of Moulvibazar district town, 20 km south of Madhabkund Falls and 50 km north of Lauachhara National Park.
If a safari park is set up in the proposed area with 209 species of animals and 603 species of plants, more species of plants and animals will be brought together here, according to the ministry.
