Madhutila Ecopark becoming more tourist-friendly

Madhutila Ecopark, located in Nalitabari upazila of Sherpur, is set to become more tourist-friendly as the Mymensingh Forest Department undertakes several development initiatives. Plans are in place to widen the entrance road as well as internal pathways, and tourist police will be deployed to ensure better safety and security for visitors.

The department is also preparing an integrated cooperative forest management plan aimed at conserving the natural environment and biodiversity while modernizing the park. As part of this plan, children's entertainment facilities inside the park will be upgraded. New attractions like a modern Ferris wheel, high-quality slides, and an electric train will be added to the kids' zone to enhance the visitor experience.

These updates were shared by forest officials during a sub-regional workshop held at the Mymensingh District Council auditorium on Saturday, April 26. They stated that the final development plan will include many more initiatives based on discussions and feedback gathered during multiple workshops.

Situated about 30 kilometers from Sherpur town, Madhutila Ecopark lies in the picturesque village of Poragaon. Surrounded by sal and gajari trees, the park’s hills and slopes, along with various native and rare tree species, attract a large number of nature lovers. The park also features a 20-acre plantation of medicinal plants, and includes amenities such as a rest house, cottages, wildlife sculptures, an observation tower, fun rides for children, a star bridge, canteen, mini zoo, car parking, and resting areas.

Visitors from all over the country are drawn to Madhutila by its lush greenery and tranquil natural surroundings. The park’s lake offers five local boats and three paddle boats, allowing tourists to enjoy a peaceful boat ride.

At the workshop, Chief Conservator of Forests ASM Zahid Uddin Akon, who attended as the chief guest, said that more tourist-friendly facilities will be introduced in the park. He explained that proposals collected from several workshops will be used to finalize and implement the development plan.

He also mentioned that existing walking trails on the hills will be repaired and new ones will be built to ensure smooth movement for visitors. The park’s lake will be dredged, expanded, and beautified to make it suitable for speedboats, while a scenic and well-designed aquarium will be set up as another major attraction.

The workshop was chaired by Divisional Forest Officer ANM Abdul Wadud, and the keynote was presented by ecopark expert Dr Muhammad Abu Sayed Arfin Khan. Several other experts and stakeholders, including government officials, university professors, and representatives from environmental and forest departments, shared their ideas and suggestions.

Some of the notable proposals discussed included constructing a 10-foot boundary wall topped with barbed wire for security, building wide paved roads with culverts around the park, and setting up a hanging bridge connecting key areas such as the Mahua Rest House, the main hill, and the watch tower. There were also suggestions for adding lifelike sculptures of endangered animals at scenic points, installing a cable car over the lake, and building a tunnel connecting opposite ends of the hills. Other proposed features include a modern water slide, waterfall, swimming pool, and changing rooms—all designed to enhance the experience for visitors while preserving the park’s natural beauty.