Wildlife Park Construction Biodiversity Impact Assessment Committee

The Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Affairs has set up a committee to assess the impact of the construction of the Mulvi Bazar Wildlife Park on biodiversity. This was informed in a press release issued by the department on Thursday (August 22).

According to a notification, the Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted a report on Wednesday (August 21) with recommendations on the proposed project titled ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Wildlife Park (Phase-I) at Mulvibazar’ and the ministry has formed a four-member committee through a notification to conserve the biodiversity of the Lathitila Reserve Forest in the Juri range in the district.

The committee will assess whether the proposed project, if implemented, will have a negative impact on forests, wildlife and natural biodiversity. In addition, the committee will also make recommendations on the conservation of forests, wildlife and natural biodiversity in the Lathitila reserve forest in Juri Range. The committee will prepare its report after discussions with local people and submit it to the ministry by September 19.

The committee was convened by former chief conservator of forests Istiaq Uddin Ahmed and its members are professor of zoology department of Jahangir Nagar University. Mustafa Feroze and former executive director of Aranyak Foundation Farid Uddin Ahmad. Conservator of forests, wildlife and protected areas of the forest department Imran Ahmed will be the member and secretary of the committee. The committee can co-opt any relevant member if required.

It is noteworthy that, ignoring the objections of wildlife experts and environmentalists, it was decided to adopt the discussed project, which was conditionally approved at the Ecnec meeting on November 9, 2023. The proposed project is included in the list of unapproved projects not allocated in the ADP 2024-25.

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