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GAZIPUR: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has said an investigation is underway into allegations that a lemur stolen from the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Sreepur, Gazipur, is being kept at a private zoo in India.
He said appropriate measures would be taken once the investigation is completed.
The minister visited the Gazipur Safari Park on Friday afternoon as part of an official tour. He began the inspection around 2pm and left for Sherpur at around 3:30pm. Gazipur-3 MP SM Rafiqul Islam and officials from various levels of the Forest Department accompanied him.
Asked about bringing back the lemur from the Indian zoo, Mintoo said, “There are complications in bringing the lemur back. I also do not understand how it ended up there.”
He added, “We are already investigating the matter. We hope to make a decision once the investigation is completed. Since two countries are involved, it will take some time. Appropriate measures will be taken after the investigation is concluded.”
Asked about the Forest Department’s decision regarding a pair of leopards that have been kept in captivity for nine years, the minister said, “We are considering all these issues. That is why I am visiting the safari park.”
Speaking about the park’s dilapidated infrastructure, Mintoo said the government wanted the safari park to operate properly and efficiently.
“We will hold a meeting in Dhaka after returning from here. We will discuss the existing problems and try to resolve them after hearing about all the issues,” he said.
Asked about initiatives to stop indiscriminate waste dumping in the forests of Gazipur, the environment minister said the government had already sent letters regarding the matter and that he was personally communicating with administrators.
“Waste management has not yet been modernised across Bangladesh,” he said.
Outlining plans to modernise waste management, Mintoo said a waste-to-energy project had already been undertaken in Aminbazar, Dhaka, with Chinese investment.
He added that work had also begun on a project to convert waste into various resources in Dhaka South.
“We will now begin similar initiatives in district towns and upazila towns,” he said.