The government’s recent decision to increase entry fees fivefold for six botanical gardens and eco parks, including the National Botanical Garden in Mirpur, has sparked widespread criticism and dissatisfaction among visitors.
On Friday, visitors were seen at Mirpur’s National Botanical Garden, the largest plant conservation center in Bangladesh, although the turnout appeared smaller than usual for a weekend. The new entry fee has increased from Tk20 to Tk100 per person, a change that has been met with dismay.
Monowarul Islam, a resident of Mirpur, expressed his frustration, stating that a modest increase of Tk10-20 would have been reasonable. “We cannot think how the price has increased to Tk100,” he said.
Fatin Anjum Neha, a student who was aware of the price hike before visiting, described the increase as unfair. “The price could be doubled but hiking at such a rate is unacceptable,” she said. Neha purchased a ticket despite her objections, citing the lack of natural recreational spaces in Dhaka.
Jahangir Alam Tia, the leaseholder responsible for ticket collection at the garden, explained that he had submitted his tender based on the increased ticket price. Tia, who previously held the lease at a cost of Tk2.30 crore, won the current tender at Tk4.17 crore. He noted, however, that the tender price did not increase fivefold, reflecting his expectation of fewer visitors due to the higher entry fee.
Environmental group “Green Voice” staged a civic rally on Friday in front of the Botanical Garden’s main gate, protesting the increased entry fee. Khan Asaduzzaman Masum, president of the Bangladesh Youth Union, criticized the decision as being against public interest. “This kind of park is for recreational and physical exercise activities. The government should not think about profiting from this sector,” he said. Masum warned that the move could ultimately decrease the garden’s revenue, affecting both the state and the leaseholders.
On Thursday, Environment, Forest, and Climate Affairs Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury labeled the price hike as “unreasonable” and suggested reconsideration. “There is a revenue demand here. But I think that it should not be increased so much. It is absurd,” he told reporters.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Affairs had issued a notification on April 21 from its Forest Division-1, announcing the fee increase for six botanical gardens and eco parks across the country, including the Baldha Garden in the capital. Other affected sites include the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Cox’s Bazar, Lawachara National Park in Moulvibazar, Satchari National Park in Habiganj, Banshkhali Eco Park in Chittagong, and Modhutila Eco Park under the Mymensingh Forest Division.
