(BSS) - LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the government has taken initiatives to make all the playgrounds across the country free from encroachment aiming to restore a sound and recreational atmosphere for the cross-section of people.

“The government is regularly conducting mobile court operation led by the district executive magistrate and the initiative is now underway at all the district and upazilas to make all the playgrounds free from encroachment,” he said.

The minister made this statement at the Jatiya Sangsad while responding to a very urgent public important notice under section 71 of the rules of procedure brought by ruling party lawmaker Begum Nilufar Chowdhury Moni.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal was in the chair.

During the fascist regime, the minister said all the playgrounds and open spaces throughout the country were encroached due to party affiliation, saying that now the government after coming to power is trying to recover these occupied playgrounds and open spaces.

Side by side, the government has taken initiative to modernize the playgrounds and make it free from the drug abusers.

Under the initiative, the government has taken initiative to develop and recovery operation of 256 parks and playgrounds under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
The Shaheed Matur Rahman Park in Gulishan has been developed into a modern park through make it free from hawkers and crime related activities.

Even the development programmes are now also underway at Mothijheel park, Nababganj park, Rasulbagh playground, khilgaon-Bashabo playground, Sadeque Hossain Khoka playground, Hazaribagh park and Amligola playground.

The LGRD minister said a total of 38 parks and playgrounds under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have been kept open for the people after modernization.

At the same time, regular eviction drive is also being conducted in these playgrounds.

Alongside, he said projects are being implemented gradually for constructing playgrounds and parks under Chattogram City Corporation.

In Khulna City Corporation, regular mobile court is being operated in different parks aiming to ensure healthy environment for the people.

While highlighting the notice, the ruling party lawmaker said the city has 235 playgrounds and parks in 129 wards where people have an access to 18 percent or 42 of these parks and playgrounds, 60 percent are encroached and only 7 percent remain under government control.

Finding a playground in Dhaka is already daunting challenge. As many as 41 wards out of 129 don`t have a single playground. Meanwhile, the wards that have a few playgrounds left are perpetually under the threat of being occupied. According to a study by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), 84 per cent of Dhaka`s residents live outside of playground facility access.