Model habitat of wildlife at Safari Park to boost eco-tourism

Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division of the Department of Forest (DoF) introduced the NIC resembling a model habitat of a wide variety of wildlife and flora and fauna.

It aims at boosting eco-tourism as well as encouraging the visitors to help restore the bio-diversity the country was once enriched with.

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Environment and Forest Minister Tariqul Islam formally inaugurated the NIC at the Safari Park under Chakaria upazila in Cox's Bazar as chief guest.

Seven types of forests are set in the NIC where aesthetic settings of a model, mural and stuffing would introduce the visitors to 325 species of plants and 182 species of animals - some of which are already extinct or on the verge of extinction.

A twelve-minute audio-visual animation making a lively demonstration of wildlife through light and sounds also features the NIC.

NICs are usually found in large national gardens, wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas in developed countries to attract visitors and make them aware of the beauty of wildlife and bio-diversity, said Dulahazara Safari Park Project Director Dr Tapan Kumar Dey while talking to a group of journalists visiting the park on Tuesday.

Adland Publicity Ltd, a firm enjoying a reputation developing several such NICs in India, provided the technological assistance for setting up the NIC at Safari Park, he informed.

Twenty-two artists from The Adland Publicity of Kolkata developed the NIC after a relentless effort of two years, Dr. Tapan Dey informed.

Ministry for Environment and Forest responded positively to take up and complete the project immediately after it was proposed in 2004, sources said.

At present, Bangladesh has 23 species of amphibians, 144 species of reptiles, 123 species of mammals and 632 species of birds, they said.

The NIC would surely attract the tourists and inspire the visitors to protect and help improve the present state of bio-diversity in the country, they hoped.

Meanwhile, inaugurating the NIC Environment Minister expressed hope that the NIC would not only help eco-tourism flourish but also facilitate research works by researchers, students and teachers of concerned institutions to contribute to this field.

State Minister for Environment and Forest Jafrul Islam and Chief Conservator of Forest Mohammed Osman Gani were the special guests at the ceremony.

State Minister in his speech urged the local people to extend support and cooperation for further development of Safari Park.

Forest Conservator of Wildlife and Nature Conservation Region Manaj Kanti Roy presided over the ceremony.

Later, Minister Tariqul Islam also inaugurated "Eagle Forest Rest House" there and released 12 deer of Sambar, Chitra and Maya species in the Safari Park.