Committee formed to assess environmental impact of proposed Safari Park on Lathitila reserved forest

The government has formed a four-member committee to assess the environmental impact of the proposed Bangabandhu Safari Park on the Lathitila reserved forest under Juri Forest Range in Moulvibazar.

The committee, with former chief conservator of forests Istiaq Uddin Ahmed as convener, has been tasked to submit its report within 19 September, according to a recent circular of the environment ministry.

The committee has also been tasked to provide recommendations on the conservation of biodiversity of the Lathitila reserved forest.

The committee also includes two members- Mostafa Feroz, zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University; and Farid Uddin Ahmed, former executive director of Arannayk Foundation.

Besides, Imran Ahmed, conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Zone, Directorate of Forests, has been made a member secretary of the committee.

According to the circular, dated 21 August 2024, the proposed Safari Park project in Lathitila forest was conditionally approved in the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting on 9 November 2023 ignoring the objections of wildlife experts and environmentalists.

The proposed project is included in the list of unallocated unsanctioned projects in ADP 2024-25.

The committee will determine whether the implementation of the proposed project titled "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Moulvibazar (1st Phase)" will have a negative impact on forests, wildlife and natural biodiversity.

Besides, it will provide recommendations on the conservation of forest, wildlife and natural biodiversity of the Lathitila Reserve Forest.

It will submit its report to the environment ministry after talking to locals in these regards. The committee may co-opt any member concerned if necessary.