People from all walks of life in the Moulvibazar district have rallied to protest against the propaganda of those opposed to the construction of Bangabandhu Safari Park at Lathitila in Juri Upazila.

The human chain was held at 11 am on Wednesday (September 8) in the New Market and BGB camp premises of the Upazila town under the direction of Upazila Juba League President Mamunur Rashid Saju and General Secretary Shekharul Islam.

Upazila Parishad Chairman Bir Muktijoddha MA Moeed Faruk, Upazila Vice Chairman Rinku Ranjan Das, Women Vice-Chairman Ranjita Sharma, District Council Member Badrul Islam, Upazila Awami League Senior Co-President Masuk Ahmed, General Secretary and Fultala Union Parishad Chairman Masuk Ahmed, Organizing Secretary Mahbubul Islam Kajal, Upazila Anti-Corruption Committee President Tajul Islam Tara Mia, Jaifarnagar Union Awami League General Secretary Abdul Qadir Dara, Upazila Chhatra League President Shahab Uddin Sabel, General Secretary Iqbal Bhuiyan Ujjwal spoke on the occasion.

Also present were the chairmen of all the U.P of the Upazila, leaders, and workers of the affiliated organizations of the Upazila Awami League, and the general public including the leaders of various social organizations.

Speakers at the human chain said that if Bangabandhu Safari Park is built in Juri, this Upazila will be known in the court of the world including Bangladesh. Besides, the Lathitila forest will be free from the occupation and employment of many people. Those who are conspiring against this safari park should be socially boycotted.

Around 4,000 people from 65 organizations of Juri Upazila have participated in the human chain.

It may be mentioned that after Dulahazara and Gazipur, the third safari park of the country is costing Tk 960 crore. At present, if a safari park is set up in the proposed area with 209 species of animals and 703 species of plants, more species of plants and animals will be brought together here. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park will be constructed on 5,631 acres of forest land in Lathitila. Among these, ecovillage, jungle safari, and core safari will be developed. There are proposals to build safaris in the core safari area for different species of animals including tigers, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, reptiles, and rhinos.

Except for the safari park, the rest of the area will be reserved for wildlife, there will be no hindrance to the conservation of wildlife and the forest will be like a forest. There will be open habitat for wildlife and it will be kept as a protected area so that no harm will be done to the wildlife. There will also be a separate park for children with arrangements for children's sports and student research.

TMBToday/Kamran/Saifullah