The government has planned to construct 101 parks across the country to address the acute shortage of parks, playgrounds and open spaces.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher disclosed the information in Parliament on Tuesday while replying to a question from opposition bench lawmaker of Chapainawabganj-3 Nurul Islam.

The minister said data collection is currently underway to implement the plan.

He said the Development Project Proposals (DPP) are awaiting approval for several projects to construct a park at Anwara Udyan in Farmgate, Dhaka, develop playgrounds in three places, including Rampura, Khilgaon High School and Khilgaon Rehabilitation Area, and construct Khilgaon community centre comprising Eidgaon and park.

Highlighting recent progress, Zakaria Taher said the construction of two parks in Chattogram and two in Cox's Bazar, the modernisation of Ramna Park in Dhaka, have already been completed and the facilities have been handed over to the public.

He added that construction of another park is currently underway in Tarakanda of Mymensingh district.

The minister said the government is giving top priority to environmental protection in all development activities to promote planned urbanisation.

He said special emphasis is being given on the construction of multistorey buildings to ensure optimum land use through proper planning and research.

The government is also encouraging the use of advanced construction technologies, environmentally friendly building materials, energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting, dedicated sewage treatment plants and adequate green spaces in urban development projects, he added.

The parliamentary session resumed at around 3pm with Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal in the chair.