Serene agri complex turns recreational spot

Tupamari Bahumukhi Krishi Complex, a multi-purpose agriculture complex comprising a large picturesque pond along with greenery on the banks, also serves as a recreational spot at Goraye village in Ulipur upazila under the district.

Various fruit and medicinal trees on the bank of the pond, locally called Zia Pukur, give an eye-soothing look here. There is also a small cattle farm on the bank. Upazila Central Cooperative Society (UCCS) planted the trees.

The beautiful location witnesses visitors round the year and the number increases from November till February.

The society bought 25 acres of marshland area at the village in 1972 and dug a pond on 18.27 acres of the land under a project of World Food Programme in 1980-1981 fiscal year. The pond, 60 to 80 feet in width, is only eight kilometres from the Zero Point of Kurigram town.

Tree plantation on its bank began a few years later, and the area gradually developed into a recreational spot.

The visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the vicinity and arrange picnic there without any entry fee.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found a group of local students loitering there.

“We often visit Zia Pukur for recreation,” said Mozahedul Islam, 17, a local student.

Local resident Omar Faruk Manga, 40, said there is no suitable picnic spot except Zia Pukur in the district.

A number of picnic parties come here but there is not enough arrangement for sanitation and tube-wells, he said.

There are only four guards to look after the agriculture complex.

Bhupati Bhushan Barma, director of Bangladesh Bhawaia Academy in Ulipur, said Zia Pukur is the largest pond in greater Rangpur region.

“We have been demanding for long to establish Zia Pukur area as an official picnic spot. It has good communication facilities as the spot is situated beside Kurigram-Chilmari road,” he said.

Khorshed Alam, chairman of the managing committee of the cooperative society, said Ulipur UCCS now comprises 240 cooperative members.

“Tupamari Bahumukhi Krishi Complex is an asset of Ulipur UCCS. The premises would be a wonderful recreational and tourist spot in the district, but we don't have necessary funds for the purpose,” said Ulipur Upazila Cooperative Officer Golam Mostafa.