Cattle market on city playgrounds

Desk Report: Most of the playgrounds under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have been occupied by cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, leaving no space for children to play, reports Daily Sun.
Local residents alleged that cattle markets have been set up on most of the playgrounds, defying the law and a High Court order.
Defying the “Playground, Open Space, Park and Natural Water Body Protection Act 2000” and the HC order of 2004, cattle markets have long been set up on playground, said an environmentalist.
According to the law, playground, open space, park and natural water body cannot be used for any purpose other than their original ones, be rented out or leased out or any way cannot be handed over.
During a recent visit to different areas under DSCC, the daily sun correspondent found that cattle traders have already occupied most of the playgrounds and kept animals there for sale.
Of the 13 cattle markets, most of them are playgrounds and have been gone under the direct control of lessees though DSCC notice mentions “open space’ near those spots.
Golapbagh playground is only one in the area and cattle traders are now using it to sell sacrificial animals.
Asraful Islam Asraf, who took the lease on the market, said the playground is being used as a cattle market for the last 50 years and it has become a part of the local tradition.
“But I am respectful of the law and the High Court order,” he said.
Kamalapur Balur Math is in similar condition.
Besides, Rahmatganj Math, Hajaribagh Math, Shaympur Balurmath, Donia College Math, Armanitola Math, Kamalapur Balurmath are being used as cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Truckloads of sacrificial animals have been arriving there from different parts of the country.
Aslam Hossain, a resident of Dholaikhal, said the playground is only place for local kids to play.
Locals alleged that cattle markets not only deprive children of playing but also do harm to the playgrounds.
The playgrounds have been dug to make bamboo fences.
The children are forced to stay in their house due to setting up of cattle markets on the playgrounds and such things put undue pressure on them.
Environmentalists are of the opinion that it is a clear violation of the law and a High Court order of 2004.
Sharif Jamil, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Bachao Andolon, said the HC ordered in 2004 that playground can only be used for play.
“We have long been waging movement against the grabbing of playgrounds. Even, we demonstrated in front of the National Museum today [Friday] so that cattle markets are not allowed to set up on playgrounds,” he said.
Contacted, DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon said, “We don’t allow anyone to set up cattle market on playgrounds. I have no information about the use of playgrounds by cattle traders. Furthermore, we allow makeshift cattle markets to run a total of three days in the city.”
“As I am now informed, I will take measure,” he said.