All the tourist spots under forest department including Sundarbans and Bangabandhu Safari Park at Gazipur and Dulahazra have been announced closed as coronavirus infection rate is increasing. These tourist spots will remain closed for next two weeks starting from today (Saturday). The directions were given by the forest department on Friday. Deputy chief forest conservator of the forest directorate Gobinda Roy said, the directorate has given directions to close the tourist spots under forest department including the safari parks till April 15. He said that further decision will be taken after April 15 depending on the situation. Mentionable, 49 ecotourism spots are being run by the forest department. On the other hand, to prevent second wave of coronavirus contraction the fisheries and livestock ministry has directed to close National Zoo and Rahshahi Zoo until further notice with effect from Friday. AH

The Rangamati district administration has issued some directions declaring all the tourist spots closed including Sajek for next two weeks to prevent the contraction of coronavirus. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the district administration presided over by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman on Wednesday. In the meeting hints were given that the duration of closure may increase considering the situation. Besides directions were given to shut all the shops, markets and businesses at 8 pm, carrying fifty percent passengers on the public transports, in the hotels and restaurants providing services by keeping fifty percent chair-tables unused and keeping residential hotels shut. High officials of the local administration, people’s representatives and representatives of the transport owners, workers and news media were present in the meeting. AH    

There is a good news for the travelers. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation has identified 800 tourist spots throughout the country. The information was delivered at the meeting of parliamentary standing committee on ministry of civil aviation and tourism held in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday. In the meeting it was said that new 800 tourist spots have to be listed by civil aviation and tourism ministry. Different initiatives should be taken to make the spots attractive to the tourists. Public representatives should have to be involved in this process. The meeting presided over by standing committee chairman A M Ubaidul Muktadir where committee members State Minister for civil aviation and tourism Mahbub Ali, Asheq Ullah, Anwar Hossain Khan and Syeda Rubina Akter were present. AH    

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) authorities have designated 256 places for Qurbani, sacrifice of animals, in the Eid-ul-Azha urging the citizens to slaughter sacrificial animals in those designated spots. “We have designated 256 places for sacrificing animals. The citizens should slaughter animals in those designated spots,” DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam told an online meeting with DNCC officials-employees on waste management of sacrificial animals. He asked all concerned to ensure proper management of cattle markets and waste management of sacrificial animals. The mayor said likewise previous years, all wastes of sacrificial animals would be removed within 24 hours as around 10,000 tonnes of wastes are expected to be produced in the corporation areas on the day of Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals of the Muslim community. Atiqul said monitoring measures have been strengthened as health guidelines are strictly followed at cattle markets in the wake of the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak as a monitoring committee comprising 10 ward councilors have already been formed to this end. On behalf of the mayor letters have been sent to imams of each mosque in DNCC areas to deliver sermons during Jummah Khutba raising awareness about sacrificing animals in designated spots and not dumping animal wastes here and there. Besides, leaflets distribution, campaigning on social media and playing recordings of awareness raising messages through loudspeakers are also being carried out calling upon the people to refrain from sacrifice animals here and there rather do that in designated places maintaining hygiene and keeping wastes in specified bags to cooperate the authorities in proper waste management. The DNCC authorities imparted training to 250 imams ad 250 persons, who prepare meat, keeping them readied for sacrificing animals in halal way, said a press release. A total of 11,508 cleaners including primary waste collection service provider (PWCSP) workers will remain ready for proper waste management while additional manpower and vehicles have been kept to this end, it said adding leaves of DNCC officials and employees have been canceled. Some 430 heavy and light vehicles are kept ready while waters mixed with disinfectant and bleaching powders will be sprayed through 11 special vehicles at the spots where people will sacrifice animals to keep the atmosphere free from odor pollution. DNCC started distribution of around 6,00,000 special bags among citizens to keep animal wastes in eco-friendly way to cooperate the authorities in dumping the wastes in a proper way. DNCC Chief Executive Officer Md Abdul Hai, Secretary Rabindra Sri Barua, Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Mohammad Mominur Rahman Mamun, Chief Engineer Brigadier General Muhammad Amirul Islam, Chief Estate Officer Md Muzammel Hoque, Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore M Saidur Rahman, General Manager (Transport) Abdul Latif Khan and zonal executive officers were present, among others. Source: BSS AH

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has fixed 549 spots in its area to slaughter (Qurbani) animals on the occasion of coming Eid-ul-Azha. DNCC estimates that two lakh 32 thousand animals will be slaughtered in these spots which are 11 thousand more than the previous year. DNCC Panel Mayor Jamal Mostafa informed this at a press conference on Monday on Fair Waste Management in Eid-ul-Azha. An awareness rally was brought out after the press conference. The Panel Mayor said, waste management during Eid-ul-Azha is a challenging task. But DNCC has taken all out preparation so that city dwellers can celebrate their Eid without any interruption and with enthusiasm. 10 cattle markets were arranged in the city corporation area this year. He said, this year DNCC has fixed 549 spots to slaughter animals. Different facilities including pandals are offered in 183 spots. Besides 356 spots are identified where animals can be slaughtered. One the other hand special awareness measures are taken so that people do not sacrifice their animals on roads or beside drains. Trainings were offered to 8 hundred Imams and 5 hundred meat preparer. Measures were taken to provide ward wise responsibilities to the concerned officials for supervising cleanliness activities and quick removal of waste during Eid-ul-Azha. Jalal Mostafa said, three lakh 35 thousand leaflets were distributed, ward wise miking were executed and people were inspired to slaughter animals and remove waste through special direction by the Imams. To remove animal waste a temporary central control room was set up at the regional office- Region-3 (Mohakhali). Control Room telephone number: 9830936. Moreover 5 regional offices and offices of the 36 Ward Councilors will be used as control room. Besides, for fast removing of waste and related activities the following numbers can be used: Region-1 (Uttara) 01717102025; Region-2 (Mirpur) 01711313289; Region-3 (Mohakhali) 01923113636; Region-4 (Mirpur) 01733895532; Region-5 (Karwan Bazar) 01711577474. AH