The main attraction remains shut off

The cable car service in Sheikh Russel Aviary and Eco Park in the port city's Rangunia upazila has remained closed since September 2021. The authorities have been working to restart its operations but no progress has been made to that effect in the last year.

The cable car service is considered to be the main attraction of the eco-park. Its closure has left many visitors disappointed, causing a loss in revenues as well.

The park authorities said the cable car is not running due to a mechanical fault.

According to them, the park was opened for tourists in 2013 and the cable car service was introduced in 2014.

Park officials said the cable car rides about 100 feet above the ground, allowing the tourists an aerial view of the park.

Solaiman Sawon, a visitor at the park, recently told The Daily Star that the park is the only amusement centre in the port city that offered this service.

"I was disappointed to see the service closed. The whole trip went in vain," he said.

"A financial problem arose as the project under which the park was run expired in June last year. The project has been extended again, so work has begun to relaunch the cable car."

— Md Shofiqul Islam, divisional forest officer of Chattogram South Forest Division

This park is under the jurisdiction of Chattogram South Forest Division and is managed under a project of the Ministry of Forests.

Md Shofiqul Islam, divisional forest officer of Chattogram South Forest Division, said, "A financial problem arose as the project under which the park was run expired in June last year. The project has been extended again, so work has begun to relaunch the cable car."

"The contractor has already made a site visit to see the cable cars. We are hoping to relaunch the service soon," he added.

Currently, the park has a one-kilometre-long cable for the car's movement. The cable will be extended for another kilometre, said the park authorities.

Masum Kabir, in charge of the park and ranger of the Rangunia forest range, confirmed the matter to this correspondent.

"The higher authorities of the forest department have already verified the feasibility of this extension. We hope to start the work of extending the cable soon," he said.

The location of this park covers an area of about 500 acres of hills and plains.

About 200 species of endangered birds have been preserved in this park. In addition to these native species of birds, African pelicans, swans, Electros parrots, macaws and other exotic birds have been added to this aviary.