The company has proposed to develop and manage the park and build the commercial complex on build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis.

The complex will include shopping malls, health club, children's park, swimming pool, arrangements of boating and aquatic sports.

When asked, DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka said, "A private company has proposed to take care of the park. The proposal is being examined."

"The idea has come from the recent beautification programme executed successfully by private companies. We think there is scopes for beautifying the Osmani Udyan," he said.

Sources in the Nagar Bhaban said ARK Group has made the proposal that is supposed to be discussed at the next meeting of Osmani Udyan management committee on April 16.

A decision will be taken following the recommendations of the committee.

"The mayor has expressed his interest in handing over the park to the private sector," said a Nagar Bhaban senior official asking not to be named.

Civil society representatives have meanwhile expressed deep concern over the issue saying that Osmani Udyan is a public property which will lost its characteristics if it is handed over to private management.

Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, who earlier led a social movement in protest against felling of a large number of trees at the park, said he will take a strong stand against the proposal for the commercial use of the park.

"This park is a public property and it should remain intact. It is the corporation's duty to maintain the park for the use of people," the former Dhaka University professor said. "If it goes to private hands, it will be a disaster," he added.

Prof Chowdhury said if the city corporation is allowed to hand over the park to private management without resistance from the society, it will hand over other parks also.

Earlier, DCC formed a committee headed by Professor Chowdhury to suggest ways to develop Osmani Udyan. The committee is working to make it a model park.

The 26-acre park is losing its natural harmony due to illegal occupation of several parts of the park. A portion of the park has become a parking zone for vehicles.

Besides, a tin-shed office of the ruling BNP's labour wing Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal was established inside the park without permission.

The visitors allege the park is not maintained properly. Dug addicts, vagabonds and hoodlums have virtually taken over the park managing the law-enforcement agencies.

"It is the authorities' responsibility to keep the park visitor-friendly, the corporation should keep it up," said Ibrahim Khalil, a visitor to the park. He also discouraged the idea of handing over the park to private sector for commercial purpose.