Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and Ograpothik Palli Samity are waiting for High Court directives regarding lease of maintenance of the Zinda Park, a natural wonder, located at Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj.
On February 26, one of the initiators of Zinda Park, Ograpothik Palli Samity, filed a writ petition in the High Court to retain its maintenance power over the park, when Rajuk attempted to evacuate the locals from the park.
Earlier in 2008, the Rajuk canceled a housing project in the area after protest by environment activists and local people.
The park is currently located under a housing project ‘Purbachal Town’ by apex government-run city development authority Rajuk.
Following the writ, the High Court issued a show cause to Rajuk to explain why it should not direct Rajuk to grant lease to the petitioners as per the Town Improvement Act.
On February 27, Rajuk sent a letter to Ograpothik Palli Samity announcing that it would conduct an eviction drive at the Zinda Park in sector 30 under Purbachal Town on March 3, however, Rajuk could not carry out the drive in the face of protests by Ograpothik Palli Samity members, green actvists and locals.
On Februaty 4 the Samity sent an application to the Prime Minister requesting to grant them lease of the park’s maintenance.
Md Tabarak Hossain Kumkum, founder of Ograpothik Palli Samity built the park in 1984 on 100 bighas of land in the village of Zinda. At that time the parks was named as Oikotan Eco Resort.
The park has trees, ponds, recreation facilities, educational institutions and clubs. Abdullah Al Shahin, secretary of Ograpothik Palli Samity told the Dhaka Tribune: “Locals built the park three decades ago. The issue is now pending with High Court. I hope the court will give order in favour of the villagers.”
“We will save the park at any cost from Rajuk’s disgraceful move,” he added.
Nurul Huda, chairman of Rajuk, said: “The owners of the park were given price of the land when Rajuk acquired it. The Samity is trying to get hold off the park with muscle power to turn it into a source of profit making.”