Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said that, without modernisation, the national zoo’s issues cannot be permanently resolved.
The adviser made these remarks during a discussion meeting at the Interpretation Center after visiting the Bangladesh National Zoo on Saturday.
Emphasising humane treatment towards animals, she said that positive contributions to the animal kingdom must be made by preserving endangered species.
Farida Akhter said that the Bangladesh National Zoo is a priceless asset of the nation, reflecting the country’s civilisation, culture, and behaviour.
“We want to build a zoo that will be beautiful, educational, and entertaining for everyone,” she said.
Regarding the behaviour of visitors, the Livestock Adviser said that sometimes visitors, in their excessive excitement, end up harassing the animals. She called upon zoo authorities to take effective measures to ensure that no animal is harassed and simultaneously urged visitors to be more conscious regarding their behaviour.
She added that a permanent solution to the zoo’s problems is not possible without modernisation. “Towards this goal, work is underway to implement the ‘Bangladesh National Zoo and Rangpur Zoo Modernization Project’,” she said, adding that work will begin once the project receives full approval from the Ministry of Planning.
Farida Akhter also said that initiatives have been taken to meet the urgent needs of the zoo using the allocated Tk40 crore received under the project, and she called for ensuring the full implementation of the Animal Welfare Act 2019 in the zoo.
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, Dr Md Abu Sufian. Others present included Director of Bangladesh National Zoo Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukdar, Director of the Department of Livestock Services Md Boyjar Rahman, and Director of the Central Poultry Farm, Zinat Sultana.
