At Concord Group's Heritage Park one will get a chance to see some of the well-known heritage sights of the country, of course in the form of replicas. The park, on 20 bighas, stands beside the group's famous Fantasy Kingdom at Ashulia.

"The thought of projecting our identity made us create this park," said SM Kamaluddin, Concord Group's chairman, at a Heritage Park press briefing yesterday.

He said Bangladesh is portrayed in the international arena as a land of famines, tornadoes, floods and violence. "The image of our country has been tarnished but the rich history and our heritage has not been projected as yet," he said. He believed the replicas in the park would make people want to visit the real ones.

At present the park houses 11 replicas with four more awaiting installation. On entering the park visitors can see the Sat Gambuj Masjid, Ahsan Manzil, Paharpur Bouddha Bihar, Puthia Rajbari, Kantajir Mandir, Chunakhola Masjid, Jatiya Smriti Soudha, Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Greek Smriti Soudha and Sita Kotbihar.

The chairman said installation of the other four replicas, which would also include World Heritage Site -- The Sundarbans could not be finished because of paucity of space. "A minimum of 100 acres of land is required to re-create such a park but buying land is a tough job for a private company like," he added.

The replicas are created in proportion to the real ones and around Tk 28 crore has been invested in the park so far and more investment will follow in the future, the chairman further said.

Apart from replica installations, the park has 10 different rides to entertain both children and adults, be it a family Roller Coaster or Mini Pirate ship, people would enjoy the excitement, the management believed. Paddle cycle boats, Igloo theme (mini flume), waterfall (him chori), family train, family swing, battery cars, teacup swing and dry slides are the others.

The entrance fee is Tk 60 -- a price within the reach of the common people -- but a separate fee would be charged for each ride.

State minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Mohammed Nasiruddin and Selima Rahman State Minister for Cultural Affairs will formally inaugurate the park on January 13.