Govt to restore Rajshahi Zoo's lost glory: Salauddin Tuku

RAJSHAHI, July 14: State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku on Monday said the government plans to restore the lost heritage of Rajshahi Central Park and Zoo by modernising the facility in line with public expectations.

Speaking after visiting the zoo, he said the park and zoo had once been one of Rajshahi's most popular recreational destinations but had deteriorated due to "mismanagement and corruption" during the previous government, putting its very existence at risk.
"We will take initiatives to restore its heritage and redevelop it in line with the expectations of the people," the state minister said.

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton accompanied him during the visit and briefed him on various facilities, including animal enclosures, rides and other infrastructure inside the zoo.

The state minister said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has been implementing a range of public welfare programmes, including the distribution of family cards and farmer cards, canal excavation, nationwide tree plantation campaigns, agricultural loan waivers and honorariums for imams.

He said the government was working to transform the historic zoo into a modern facility under a safari park concept.

"We have inspected the site along with the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) administrator and officials of the Department of Livestock Services. An expert team will soon be sent to assess the situation, and the next course of action will be determined based on its recommendations," he said.

According to him, the RCC has already identified a potential site for the facility, and the ministry will take the necessary measures to facilitate the safe preservation and marketing of meat.

Praising the city corporation administrator, Tuku said visible progress had been made in improving urban cleanliness, reducing water-logging and implementing other development initiatives under Mahfuzur Rahman Riton's leadership within a short period.

Among others present during the visit were Department of Livestock Services Director (Administration) Dr Md Boyzar Rahman, National Zoo Director Dr Md Shahinur Alam, RCC Chief Executive Officer Md Rezaul Karim, and other senior officials.