Dulahazra Safari Park
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Figure : Map of Dulahazra Safari Park
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Location: Chakaria, Dulahazra Union,Cox’s Bazar
Climate: The climate is subtropical in nature. The average annual
rainfall is 3599 mm, hottest month is October, coldest month is January, driest
month is December, wettest month is July, average maximum temperature is 34.20C
and average minimum temperature is 15.60C .
How to get there
It takes 2.5 hours from Chittagong.
From Cox’s Bazar you can reach Chakaria by Bus/ Microbus or
Chander Gari ( One kind of Jeep).
Where to stay
After visiting this park you have to come back to Cox’s
Bazar.There are many hotels and restaurant you can find in Cox’s Bazar to stay
and fooding.
Entry
Permits/Fees
Adults:
BDT 20
Students(Below
15 years):
BDT
10
Student group(
30 to 100 persons): BDT 200
Student group(
More than 100 persons): BDT 400
Foreigner :
BDT
350/ USD 5
Visit by safari
bus :
BDT
20
Parking fee:
Bus:
BDT
100
Car/Microbus:
BDT
50
Opening time
9.00 AM
Closing time
5.00 PM
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Figure 2 :We are in safari park (GES 1st year field work team) |
Bangladesh is a diverse country that attracts thousands of
visitors each year. Tourists flock to the country to experience its unique
culture, meet its friendly locals and enjoy the magnificence of the country’s wildlife.
Many reserves and conservation projects have been established in Bangladesh to
protect its rare wildlife and bird populations, and one such breathtaking
eco-tourism initiative is the Dulahazra Safari Park.
Dulahazara Safari Park was established in 1996.This is the
only safari park in Bangladesh, situated 107 km south of Chittagong City
under Chakaria Upazila of Cox’sBazar District. Dulahazra Safari Park was
developed on an undulating landscape of around 2,224 acres of area at Chakaria
Upazila in Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh, some 50 km away from the
cox'sbazar, with an objective to create facilities for Eco-tourism, research
work and entertainment aside from conserving wild animals in a natural environment.
Dulahazra Park is home to at least 4,000 animals of 165 species. There are
several attractions inside the park. After entering the park, you'll find the
orchid collections at right, and a museum at the left side, both are equally
attractive. You can travel inside the park by transport system of the park or
by feet. Attractive animals include Lions, Bengal Tigers, Crocodiles, Bears,
Chitals and lots of different types of birds and monkeys. There has a watch
tower from top of which you’ll enjoy the vast ocean of green plants.
Many individuals also 'donated' some of the animals to the
park . The seized and donated animals recently sent to the park include 90
spotted deer (chital), 42 barking deer (maya, a species of muntjac deer), three
sambar deer, one freshwater crocodile, one saltwater crocodile, nine black
bear, four pythons, 17 peacocks, 19 Turkish pheasants and two emus. Other
source of animal includes the Dhaka Zoo. While the animal population in Dhaka
zoo has increased over the years due to their breeding, the Dhaka zoo donates a
number of lions and tigers to the Dulhazra Safari Park. Visitor Attractions:
The park itself protects a large number of wild elephants which are native to
the area. In the safari park there are domesticated elephants which are
available for a ride. Other animal attractions include lions, Bengal tigers,
Crocodiles, Bears, Chitals and lots of different types of birds and monkeys.
Since the park was made open to the public, it has been drawing a huge crowd
all year round — 6,000 visitors daily during peak season.
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Figure 3: monkeys in safari park |
Dulahazra Safari Park is absolutely located for visitors to
take pleasure in day trips out to this amazing conservation area. The park has
got concentration as a recreation spot for universal mass of the people and for
the biologists. It is one of the learning spots as well. The place has now
become a Safari Park and a Zoo. Now a days, if any wild animal is unlawfully or
unintentionally caught anywhere of the country, is being transported and placed
in this area. Large number of people visits Safari Park because of its
magnificent natural scenic beauty and attractive undulated landscape with green
coverage. Hills and water bodies are interwoven with each other. It is also
recognized for its ecological importance, and scientific, aesthetic and
recreational values. The forest of Dulahazara range sustains subtropical
evergreen and semi evergreen trees and wildlife. This area is important feeding
ground of wild elephants because the herd of wild elephants often visits this
area and damages public property.
Dulahazra Safari Park project got underway Between the years
1998 and 1999, occupying only a little piece of land, which has now mature to
over two thousand acres of sheltered land. The government began to play an
dynamic role in the improvement of the park in 2007, ensuring that unlawfully
owned animals was held and taken to the park, with many of the animals also
being donated by their owners. This has allowed the park’s population to grow
to nearly four thousand animals, providing visitors with 165 species to marvel
at. The variety of animals that have been seized and donated is astounding,
with the park taking in saltwater crocodiles, black bears, barking deer,
spotted deer, pythons, emus, freshwater crocodiles, peacocks and pheasants. All
the animals have been given huge areas to roam freely, with lush forests and
brush for their habitats. Some animals are kept at a distance from visitors for
safety reasons. The Dhaka Zoo has also assisted in growing the number of
animals in Dulahazra Safari Park through their reproduction program, enabling
visitors to view other wildlife such as monkeys, lions, parrots, horses,
giraffes, tigers, elephants, lizards, zebras and frogs. Some of the elephants
at the park are domesticated, and visitors are able to interact with them.
Visitors can be driven through the Dulahazra Safari Park by
jeep to explore the extraordinary wildlife, and there is a specially
constructed tower for tourists where they are able to look out over the park
and view numerous animals. It is really the ideal attraction for a family
outing, as it is also a research centre that focuses on conserving the
environment as well as educating the public.
Objectives
With the major goal of serving the national need of
biodiversity conservation education, research, recreation and in-situ and
ex-situ conservation of the threatened, extinct and
endangered animals. The park was established in 1998 with following objectives
:-
Conservation and breeding of the extinct and endangered wild
animal species. in the park as ex-situ condition.
To provide assistance for in-situ conservation of critically
endangered wildlife through out the country.
Development of rescue center and veterinary hospital to
provide assistance to injured wildlife in the country.
Development of the Nature Interpretation Center with light
and sound model for creation of conservation awareness among the public.
To bring large water body for migratory birds under
scientific management.
Establishment of aviary for extinct, rare endangered species
of bird.
Establishment of a Natural History Museum for plants and
animals endemic to the area.