32, out of 58 cages, lie empty
The Rajshahi Zoo is losing its attraction for the visitors, with 32, out of its 58 cages, remaining empty for long.
The number of visitors to the zoo has decreased remarkably when it was once a popular recreational spot for the people in the north.
Local people alleged that the zoo authorities do not provide enough food for the animals and that is why most of the animals are weak and suffering from various diseases.
The lone tiger of the zoo died in 2008 and there is an allegation that it died as it was not provided with adequate meat it needs.
When contacted, the superintendent of the zoo, Abul Kalam Azad, however, refused the allegations.
He said some animals, including the tiger, died of old age and they were trying to bring some animals from the national zoo in Dhaka.
Already a proposal was sent to the Dhaka zoo authorities, who agreed to give the Rajshahi zoo a Royal Bengal Tiger, peacocks and some other animals, he added.
He also said they had taken a three-year project worth Tk 13 cores to beautify the zoo.
‘The work has already started,’ he added.
About extortion by some local thugs at the zoo, he told New Age that there were some toll collectors earlier, but at present there were none.
Zasim Uddin, resident of Rajshahi Upashar, who came to the zoo with his family, told New Age that the city corporation should take necessary steps to protect the zoo.
The zoo, named Shaheed AHM Quamruzzman Central Memorial Park and founded in 1972 near the River Padma, runs under the Rajshahi City Corporation.
When contacted, the Rajshahi mayor, AHM Khairuzzman Liton, told New Age that they had taken a big project to turn the zoo into a modern park like that of Dhaka.
He, however, alleged that the immediate-past BNP-led government tried to destroy the zoo.
He said, ‘We want to extend the area of the zoo and have already decided to allot Tk 270 cores to turn it into a modern picnic spot.’
