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Sidr-hit Kuakata eco-park yet to see any renovation

SOHRAB HOSSAIN, Patuakhali
The eco-park in Kuakata sea beach is losing its attraction to tourists day by day as the park, badly damaged by super cyclone Sidr on November 15 in 2007, has hardly seen any renovation.
The park now looks bare as most of the planted trees including those in the adjacent tamarisk garden got uprooted by the cyclone while damaged walkways, wooden bridge on the lake, electrification system see gradual decay due to lack of repair.
Tourists feel insecure, as there is no boundary wall around the park.
Two years ago, local forest department sent aTk 20 lakh project proposal to the higher authorities for renovation of the eco park but it is yet to be approved.
Coastal Forest Department in Patuakhali set up the eco-park on 13,984 hectares of land in Gongamoti, Khajura, Latachaplee and Fatrar Char areas in Kuakata sea beach at a cost of Tk 2.76 crore in 2005-2006 fiscal year.
Two watch towers, five picnic sheds, lake development, bridge, culverts, internal walkways, office building and ticket counter were built here under the eco-park project land development, about 2.50 km to the east of the Zero Point of Kuakata.
Besides, 42,000 plants of different varieties including mangrove and nonmangrove categories were planted for beautification of the park areas and safe nesting of birds. Outside the park a tamarisk garden was also created to protect the park
from tidal surge of the Bay.
The park added to the attraction of Kuakata beach, one of the most important tourist spots of the country.
But during a recent visit to the eco-park, this correspondent saw that the once impressive park gives a pitiable look.
"When I visited the spot two years ago, I found the eco-park very pleasant," said Abdul Halim, 35, a tourist who came from Khulna with a picnic team.
"But now I am frustrated to see the awful condition of the park. The wooden bridge
that linked both sides of the lake in the park is now unfit for use. Five paddle boats in the lake have become inoperative due to lack of repair. Internal walkways, culverts and toilets are also in bad condition," he added.
Moulana Abu Sayed of Jessore town, who came with a picnic team in the park, said, "Tourists here feel insecure, as there is no boundary wall around the park and outsiders often disturb tourists here. Bushes have grown everywhere in the park, especially around
the benches, much to the nuisance of visitors. Walkways have been damaged by the tidal surge."
This correspondent also saw the tamarisk garden that created in the south part in the park in order to protect the park from the tidal surge from the Bay also damaging day by day.
Many tamarisk trees uprooted on the beach that make threaten to the park.
Two years ago, the office building was repaired but other establishments remained without any
repair due to lack of funds, sources said.
The eco park requires early renovation to attract tourists, said Abdul Bareq Mollah, administrator for Kuakata municipality.
When contacted, Gobinda Roy, divisional forest office in Patuakhali, said, "Two years ago, we sent a Tk 20 lakh project proposal to the higher authorities to renovate the park. We hope that it will be approved soon and we will be able to start the work before the next dry season."