Zakir Azad, Cumilla

Cumilla Zoo had various species of animals two years ago. Now it is closed. Vegetables are now being cultivated there. The zoo and botanical garden were built in 1986 on 10 acres of 15th century Khas land next to the boundary wall of the Deputy Commissioner's residence in Kaliajuri Mouza, Cumilla .

Currently, there are only 24 animals there.

Among these, there are three chitra deer, a peacock, eight monkeys, three hawks, two fish tigers, a python, two rabbits, a black bird and three pheasants.

In the middle of 2020, visitors were banned from entering the zoo due to the coronavirus situation. Although public life gradually returned to normal, the gates of the zoo did not open. The process of transferring the animals there to the Chittagong Zoo is underway.

The concerned people said that the zoo, established 36 years ago, is valued by the people of the 17 upazilas of the district. But due to complications over land between the district administration and the district council, the zoo is no longer functioning. Recently, the district administration has taken over the ownership of the land of the zoo and botanical garden from the district council.

And on August 29, 2021, the lessee Anisur Rahman approached the High Court demanding compensation of Tk 2 million for canceling the lease of the zoo before the expiry of the term. He said that he has not received any remedy yet.
On the spot, it was seen that most of the cages of the zoo have become empty. The lion cage, which has been empty for a long time, is covered with creepers. There is only one peacock in the huge cage without a companion. The rest of the animals are in carelessness and neglect.

The concerned people said that after acquiring the zoo site, the Deputy Commissioner of Cumilla arranged for vegetable cultivation in a large part of it at the end of last year.

About 60 types of vegetables are produced. Vegetables are being cultivated there even now.

When asked, the Chief Executive of Cumilla Zilla Parishad Md. Helal Uddin said, ‘The animals and birds that are under our supervision will soon be transferred to the Chittagong Zoo. In the meantime, a letter has been sent to the Chittagong Zoo authorities. They have agreed to take the animals.’

Cumilla historian and researcher Ahsanul Kabir said, ‘We expect that the current Deputy Commissioner will not close it but will decorate it in a new way for the people of Cumilla . If necessary, he will adopt a master plan and build a beautiful zoo, entertainment center and a modern park here. 6 million people live in Cumilla district. There won't be a zoo for them, how can this be!

City resident Mohiuddin Akash said, "There is no place in Cumilla city where people can breathe with full satisfaction. The zoo should not be closed, it needs to be renovated and started better."

When asked, Cumilla Deputy Commissioner said, "We have taken ownership of the place. We are thinking of building a beautiful garden here. We have already started planting trees."