Rangamati, Feb 10, (V7N) - In the tourism city of Rangamati, the long-abandoned zoo is being closed down to make way for a new Residential School and College, as announced by the Rangamati Hill District Council. The new educational institution aims to provide quality education to the talented children from the impoverished hill communities, and an initial fund of Tk 3 crore will be allocated by the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs for its construction.
 
The residential school and college will be fully managed by the Rangamati Hill District Council. On Sunday morning, the foundation stone of the institution was laid by the Adviser to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Supradeep Chakma.
 
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including Rangamati District Council Chairman and agricultural expert, Kajol Talukdar; Vice Chancellor of Rangamati Science and Technology University, Professor Dr. Mohammad Atiar Rahman; Chief Executive Officer of Rangamati District Council, Khondkar Mohammad Rizaul Karim; District Commissioner Mohammad Habibullah; Superintendent of Police Dr. SM Forhad Hossain; Rangamati Sadar Zone Commander Ershad Chowdhury; District BNP President Dipon Talukdar; General Secretary Advocate Mamunur Rashid Mamun; Amir of the District Jamaat Abdul Alim; members of the Rangamati District Council; student leaders opposing inequality; and senior administrative officials.
 
During the ceremony, the adviser mentioned that the area had been left undeveloped for too long and stressed the importance of providing more quality educational institutions. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to bring the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) to the region.
 
"Here we have schools at various levels from the army, and we need similar types of schools for the community. One for boys and one for girls. My first agenda for this school and college is to ensure quality education," said the adviser. "I have always believed in the importance of quality education, even when I was the Chairman of the Chattogram Hill Tracts Development Board."
 
The adviser also highlighted the need for more educational institutions in the area, citing the absence of prominent colleges like Notre Dame College, Vikarunnisa College, or Dhaka College. He emphasized that while the university established here is good, there is still a need for a strong basic foundation. The new school will include an English curriculum, with all subjects, except Bangla, taught in English, ensuring students are competitive.
 
It’s worth noting that the Rangamati mini zoo, located in the Rangalpani Sukhinilganj area, was established in 2000. However, due to a lack of skilled personnel for animal care and treatment, many animals in the zoo died over time. On February 4, wildlife conservation officers, with assistance from the local forest department, transferred 19 animals, including a critically ill bear, from the zoo to a safer location.
 
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