Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said that the construction of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Moulvibazar’s Juri upazila will open a new horizon in wildlife conservation. The construction of the Safari Park will attract foreign tourists, create employment, and above all improve the quality of life of the people in the area.  He said that the Safari Park will be built here ensuring the safety of the people living in the area. Another bus set ablaze in Dhaka’s Jatrabari The minister said in a video message to the people of his constituency from his official residence after Ecnec approving the 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Moulvibazar (1st phase)' project for the construction of a safari park at Lathila in Juri upazila of Moulvibazar on Thursday (November 9). He said that measures will be taken to preserve endangered wildlife of Bangladesh in this safari park.  A natural habitat for wildlife especially elephants, mechho cats, banrui, khatleji monkeys, asami monkeys, gandhakulas, maya deer, bespectacled Hanuman, bears and porcupines will be created. Ecnec nods 44 projects worth Tk 39,094 crore Opportunities for education and research on wildlife conservation and management will be created. Helpless orphans and rescued critically-endangered elephants will be treated by setting up elephant rescue centers.  Safe shelters will be developed for endangered species of wildlife such as tigers, rhinos, lions, crocodiles, gharials, para deer, sambar deer, nilgai and bears. The forest minister said that wildlife hospitals will be established for the treatment of injured and rescued wildlife and public awareness will be created about wildlife conservation. Excavation of ponds and lakes to improve habitat for aquatic and migratory birds and ensure food security for wildlife and planting of fruit trees, grasslands and various species of trees to improve habitat. Rosatom’s ‘Global Atomic Quiz’ Friday Plantation of one lakh saplings for conservation of rare and endangered plant species, construction of retaining walls on hill slopes and foothills to prevent soil erosion.  Also, the Natural History Museum and Nature Observation Center will be constructed here. The project to install a two kilometers long cable car in Madhabkunda Eco Park is awaiting Ecnec approval, he said.

The officer in-charge and veterinarian oof Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur have been removed from their post in order to allow for a truly independent investigation into the deaths of 10 zebras within a short period of time recently. As a part of the investigation, Tabibur Rahman, Assistant Forest Conservator and in-charge of the Safari Park, as well as veterinary officer Dr Hatem Sazzad Md Julkarnine were transferred to Forest Department, Dhaka, said a notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Monday Md Rafiqul Islam, Assistant Forest Conservator of Social Forest Department, Faridpur and Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Veterinary Surgeon of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Dulahazra, Cox’s Bazar were appointed in their place. Also read: 10 Zebras’ death: Probe panel visits Safari Park The notice mentioned that a process is underway to also transfer Md Zahidul Kabir, project director of the park. The 10 zebras died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Parkin the space of a month till Saturday . Nine of the earlier population of 22 zebras in the park died between January 2 to 24, park authorities disclosed. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change formed a five-member inquiry committee to find out the cause of the zebras' deaths, and identify those responsible. The committee was asked to submit the investigation report to the ministry within 10 (ten) working days. The inquiry committee visited the park on Sunday and contacted foreign experts, experienced doctors to prevent such deaths of zebras. The committee also talked to South African farm owners from where the zebras were imported. Also read: Committee to probe death of 9 zebras in Bangabandhu Safari Park Symptoms of possible disease and test results have been emailed to them, and a response is now expected later this week.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has formed a five-member inquiry committee today to find out the real cause of death of nine zebras at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Sreepur, Gazipur district. The committee has been formed with Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as the convener and Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, deputy secretary (Environment-2) as the member-secretary. The other members of the investigation committee are professor and head of the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University Dr. Mohammad Monirul Hasan Khan, Conservator of  Forest of Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, Dhaka and former Chief Veterinary Officer of Central Veterinary Hospital Dr. ABM Shahidullah. Read: 9 Zebras die in Gazipur Safari Park in 3 weeks The committee has been asked to submit the investigation report to the ministry within 10 (ten) working days. It has been tasked to find out the real cause of death of the zebras, identify the negligence of the officers and employees on duty in the safari park in case of death of zebras and make necessary recommendations to prevent recurrence of such incidents. The committee may co-opt any technical member as required in the interest of proper investigation. It may be mentioned that the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md. Shahab Uddin in a meeting on Tuesday instructed the concerned authorities to form a committee to investigate the death of the animals this month.