Numerous architects are unhappy about the decision to demolish the red building, which enhanced the beauty of the street alongside a park. A heritage activist is urging authorities to save the building due to its historical importance. On Wednesday, a contractor named Shakil began tearing down parts of the building's roof, stating that he had won the job through a tender eight months ago and would complete the demolition in four days. When asked for his opinion, the Director General of the Department of Agricultural Expansion, Md Golam Maruf, stated that the government had made the decision to demolish the building. Despite acknowledging its importance in agricultural research history, he refused to elaborate further, noting that the building was no longer under his department's jurisdiction. He recommended reaching out to the Cotton Development Board (CDB), the current owner of the building. However, the Executive Director of CDB, Md Farid Uddin, was unavailable for comment as he was in a meeting. He requested to be contacted again in an hour, but subsequent calls from bdnews24.com were not answered. Taimur Islam, the Chief Executive of Urban Study Group in Dhaka City, is speaking out against the recent demolition of buildings that are not officially designated as heritage sites. He believes that over 2,500 unlisted buildings are at risk of being destroyed, with only around 100 currently being preserved. He argues that more of these buildings should be saved to protect the city's architectural heritage. Taimur stated that the building holds significance for its historical and architectural importance. He mentioned that a Famine Commission was established in Odisha in the mid-18th century, leading to the construction of several buildings in Dhaka's Farmgate area to aid in agricultural expansion. These buildings were later expanded when Bengal was divided in 1905. Taimur emphasized the architectural value of the building. Taimur expressed that the buildings from the colonial period, such as the courts and DC council buildings, are similar in construction. He also highlighted the significance of agriculture as the most crucial sector in Bangladesh. Taimur further stated that the history in agriculture should be preserved, as it is connected to an important chapter in their history. The agricultural sector has seen significant technological advancements over time, with seven to eight buildings bearing witness to these changes. These structures should have been protected in accordance with the UNESCO Convention. During the demolition process, architects hurried to the site to advocate for the preservation of one particular building due to its historical importance, as stated by Qazi Muhammad Arif, General Secretary of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB). There are numerous buildings like this in the country, and it is the responsibility of the government to protect them. We believe that the buildings that can be saved should be saved. Arif mentioned that there are plans to construct a tall office building at Khamarbarhi, but efforts could be made to conserve the historic structures. The Vice-President of the institute, Jalal Ahmed, expressed regret that it now appears to be too late as the demolition work on the building has progressed significantly. He mentioned that there was no design of the building and it did not seem to be in bad enough shape to be demolished. Associate Professor Shehzad Zahir from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology highlighted the importance of scientific research in the development of Bangladesh's agriculture sector. He stated that this building served as the laboratory for agricultural research, playing a significant role in Bangladesh's agricultural development. He emphasized the importance of halting the demolition immediately and taking steps to protect the building, as it is a relic from the late colonial period. The attractive shedding devices in front of the windows have connected our local architecture to that of Europe, according to architect Sajid-Bin-Doza, Assistant Professor at BRAC University. He mentioned that the building is well-suited for Bangladesh's tropical climate. He expressed disappointment that there is no design in place to preserve the traditions of the building, stating that it is a source of shame and hurt. The speaker suggested that the authorities should have taken photographs of the building before it was damaged, so they could show them to future generations. However, he explained that preserving the building now would be expensive due to the extensive damage caused by a hammer.