Zakir Azad, Cumilla

‎Cumilla Zoo and Botanical Garden were established in 1986

It has memories of the emotions and love of many people of the district.

Cumilla Zoo and Botanical Garden have always held importance as one of the main entertainment centers of the district established by the government initiative. But sadly, the truth is that the zoo, which was established 36 years ago, is now in a crisis of life.

The situation has become such that there is no one to save the zoo! ‎
‎The zoo and botanical garden located in Comilla city are also appreciated by the people of 17 upazilas of the district. In 2020, when the outbreak of corona started in the country, the entry of visitors to the zoo was stopped. Since then, the authorities have decided to close the company permanently amid the deadlock. The decision was reportedly taken due to the complexities over the land between the district administration and the zilla parishad.

At present, the district administration has taken over the ownership of the land of the zoo and botanical garden from the district council. ‎Meanwhile, the process of shifting its animals to the Chittagong Zoo has now started, bringing the zoo, which is already in existential crisis, to the brink of destruction. The animals can be taken to Chittagong at any time. ‎

‎People of different classes and professions of Cumilla have expressed anger over the incident. They say that the population of Cumilla district is more than 60 lakh. There won't be a zoo in such a huge district – it can't be. Prominent people have demanded to protect one of the entertainment centers of Cumilla at any cost. They say that if the district administration wants, the dead zoo can get back to life. If it is modernized and built, the government will be able to earn a huge amount of revenue from here. ‎

‎On August 29, 2021, Anisur Rahman, a resident of Chhotora area of the city, approached the high court seeking tk 20 lakh compensation for cancelling the lease of the zoo before the expiry of its tenure. However, the leaseholder said that he has not yet received any remedy. It is learned that in early 1986, the zoo and botanical garden were built for the entertainment lovers with the efforts of the then Deputy Commissioner Abdus Salam and with the help of the eminent people and rich people of Cumilla on 10 acres of 15-century government khas land adjacent to the boundary wall of the Deputy Commissioner's residence at Kaliajuri Mouza in Cumilla city. At that time, the Comilla Zilla Parishad was officially associated with the project. Later, the district administration gave the responsibility of supervising the zoo and botanical garden to the district council. Since then, the district council has been supervising it. They had been leasing out zoos and botanical gardens by inviting tenders. At present, there are only 24 animals. These include three chitra deer, one peacock, eight different species of monkeys, three hawks, two meso tigers, one python, two rabbits, one kalim bird and three titir birds. ‎

‎Mobarak Hossain, a resident of the local area, said that earlier the only zoo in the district had chitra deer herds, foxes, three peacocks, three horses, four mesotigers, lion 'Yuvraj' and many other animals. They don't exist anymore. Therefore, in the last few years, the common people have turned away from the Comilla Zoo. However, it will be difficult to accommodate the visitors if the government takes initiative and decorates it in a new form.

Recently, it was found that most of the cages of the zoo have become empty. The lion's cage, which has been lying empty for a long time, has also been covered in creepers. There is only one peacock living a life without companionship in a huge cage. Apart from this, the number of animals that are there are also neglected.‎

‎From July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021, the zoo and botanical garden were leased for Tk 30 lakh. On June 30 last year, before the expiry of the three-year term, the district council canceled the lease activities due to the complexity of ownership of the land. At present, the place is under the supervision of the Cumilla Deputy Commissioner, but the district council authorities are providing food to the animals in the zoo. For this, they are spending Tk 32,000 to Tk 35,000 per month.‎

‎Locals said that after taking care of the place, the Cumilla Deputy Commissioner planted vegetables in a large part late last year. At that time about 60 types of vegetables were produced in this garden. Vegetables are still being cultivated there. Although the Deputy Commissioner is benefiting from this, the people of Comilla are being deprived of entertainment. The zoo should be protected at all costs. ‎
‎Ahsanul Kabir, a comilla historian and researcher, said former deputy commissioner Abdus Salam set up the zoo in 1986 to entertain the people of Cumilla. That is why the people of Cumilla still remember him. Both the zilla parishad and the district administration are government offices. So there should be no problem with the ownership of the land. We hope that the current deputy commissioner will not stop it and decorate it in a new form for the people of Comilla. Then the people of Cumilla will remember him forever. There are 60 lakh people living in Cumilla, it can not be a matter of not having a zoo for them? ‎

‎He also said that if necessary, the administration will build a beautiful zoo, entertainment center and a modern park here by adopting a master plan. The people of Cumilla will not accept the complete closure of the zoo. ‎

‎Anisur Rahman, the leaseholder of Cumilla Zoo and Botanical Garden, said that since the lease was taken in 2018 for Tk 30 lakh for three years, repeated demands were made to the district council to develop the zoo's infrastructure and enrich it with animals. In mid-2020, the zoo was closed due to government directives. Later, before the end of the three-year term, the district administration canceled the lease of the zoo and botanical garden in an oral order. On August 29, 2021, I filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking Tk 20 lakh as compensation. At that time, the court ordered to settle the matter within 30 working days, but the district council has not yet made any solution. ‎

‎When asked about these issues, Cumilla Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Md. Helal Uddin said, "The Comilla Zoo and Botanical Garden have been run by the District Council since its inception. However, it is basically the land under the government's No. 1 Khas Khatian, which is owned by the Deputy Commissioner. Because of which we have stopped the lease activities. In the meantime, the Deputy Commissioner has recovered their property.

Now the Deputy Commissioner will be able to tell what he will do next here. Md. Helal Uddin also said, "The animals that are currently under our supervision will be shifted to Chattogram soon. In the meantime, a letter has been sent to the Chittagong Zoo authority. They agreed to take the animals. The handover process may begin soon. ‎

‎When asked about these issues, Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Kamrul Hasan said, "Dc Cumilla is the owner of the place. The district council was here unfairly for so long. We have already understood the ownership of the place.

I'm thinking of building a beautiful park here. In the meantime, we have started planting trees. ‎

‎Regarding the zoo, he said, "We have not yet taken any complete decision on the closure of the zoo. I'm thinking about what can be done.‎