The government has scrapped Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project in Moulvibazar, aiming to preserve biodiversity in the Lathitila forest.
The decision came at the meeting of The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) held on Monday with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus in the chair.
Additionally, the Ecnec also approved 10 projects involving an estimated total cost of Tk 1,974.30 crore.
“The ECNEC has canceled the project as the Lathitila Forest is a hotspot of biodiversity. Constructing a safari park in this area will have a negative impacts on the forest ecosystem,” said Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud at a news briefing reporters after the meeting,
The project, which got a conditional approval from the Ecnec on 9 November 2023, has been cancelled in response to a recommendation made by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
On 21 August 2024, a four-member committee was formed on August 21, 2024 by the ministry with former chief conservator of forests Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed as the convener to assess the project’s impacts on biodiversity and make recommendations.
Later, the committee recommended cancellation of the project after collecting opinions from the local stakeholders.
Of the total cost of the approved projects, Tk1,642.98 crore will be funded by the government, while Tk331.32 crore will come from the implementing agencies own resources.
The Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources secured approval for three projects: Procurement and Installation of 60 MMSCFD Capacity Process Plant for Bhola North Gas Field, Drilling of Rashidpur-11 Well (Exploration Well) Project, 2D Seismic Survey over Exploration Block 7 and 9 Project.
The planning advisor said, “We have significant gas reserves in the Sylhet and Moulvibazar regions. A major question is why the previous government prioritized LNG and coal imports instead of focusing on these reserves. We will conduct gas exploration and well drilling in accordance with international rules and regulations. This effort will continue as much as possible. We do not want to break any rules regarding gas and electricity. However, substantial investment is required for gas extraction.”
The approved projects also include one revised proposal of the Ministry of Shipping to construct river ports in Chilmari area, which includes Ramna, Joragach, Rajibpur, Roumari, and Nayarhat.
The Ministry of Agriculture got approval for two projects: the Ashuganj-Palash Sabuj project, and the Expansion of Sustainable Agricultural Technology in Cumilla Region project.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s project for felling economically senescent rubber trees, re-afforestation, and modernisation of rubber processing also saw green light.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will establish 60 day-care centres under another approved project, while the Ministry of Railways obtained approval for two initiatives aimed at rehabilitating and upgrading level crossing gates in the eastern and western regions of the Bangladesh Railway.
In addition to these approvals, Ecnec members were informed about six projects which have been recently approved by the Planning Adviser.
