The environment ministry has formed a committee to assess the possible biodiversity impact of the controversial Safari Park project in Moulvibazar.
A four-member committee was formed Wednesday and asked to submit a report containing recommendations on the project titled Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Moulvibazar (1st phase)" project' and the conservation of the biodiversity of the Lathitila Reserve Forest in the Juri Range of the district, according to the environment ministry on Thursday.
The park construction was proposed by the environment ministry during the tenure of its former minister Shahab Uddin.
He insisted the project be taken despite large scale controversy and environmental rights groups' calls for suspending the project considering its impact on the biodiversity of the reserved forest.
The committee will assess whether the implementation of the proposed project will have any negative impact on forests, wildlife and natural biodiversity of Lathila in Juri of Moulvibazar.
The committee will also discuss with the local people to prepare a report and submit it to the Ministry by September 19.
The members of the committee, chaired by former Chief Forest Conservator Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed, include Professor of the Zoology Department at Jahangirnagar University Md Mustafa Feroze, Farid Uddin Ahmed, former executive director of Arannayk Foundation, and Imran Ahmed, Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Zone, Department of Forests, who will serve as member-secretary.
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