Numerous architects are upset about the decision to tear down the red building, which enhanced the street's appeal alongside a park. A heritage activist is calling for the preservation of the building due to its historical importance. On Wednesday, a contractor named Shakil began demolishing parts of the building's roof, stating that he had won the job through a tender eight months prior and planned to complete the demolition in four days. When asked for his thoughts, the Director General of the Department of Agricultural Expansion, Md Golam Maruf, explained to bdnews24.com that the decision to demolish the building was made by the government. He declined to provide further details, stating that the building was no longer under his department's jurisdiction, despite its historical significance in agricultural research. Maruf suggested contacting the Cotton Development Board (CDB), the current owner of the building, for more information. However, when reached by phone, CDB Executive Director Md Farid Uddin was in a meeting and requested to be called back in an hour. Subsequently, he did not respond to any further calls from bdnews24.com. Taimur Islam, who serves as the Chief Executive of Urban Study Group in Dhaka City, is speaking out against the recent demolition of buildings. He believes that there are over 2,500 unlisted buildings at risk of being demolished, with only around 100 currently preserved. Islam argues that more of these buildings should be protected to conserve the city's rich architectural heritage. Taimur stated that the building holds significance due to its historical and architectural importance. He mentioned that a Famine Commission was established following a famine in Odisha during the 18th century, leading to the construction of buildings in Dhaka's Farmgate area to promote agricultural growth. The buildings were further expanded when Bengal was partitioned in 1905. Taimur also highlighted 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 to the current architecture. He also emphasized the significance of agriculture in Bangladesh, stating that erasing our agricultural history is a mistake. Taimur believes that the entire area should have been preserved as it is connected to an important part of our history. It observed the advancements in technology in our agricultural sector. There were seven to eight buildings like it that should have been protected in accordance with the UNESCO Convention. When demolition work began on the building, a group of architects hurried to the site, including Qazi Muhammad Arif, the General Secretary of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), who expressed a desire for the preservation of the building due to its historical importance. There are numerous buildings like this throughout the country, and it is the responsibility of the government to protect them. As professionals, we believe that the buildings with historical significance should be maintained. Regarding the building in Khamarbarhi, Arif mentioned that there are plans to construct a tall office building there, but there should be efforts made to conserve the existing old buildings. Currently, it appears that the situation is irreversible. The Vice-President of the institute, Jalal Ahmed, stated to bdnews24.com that he was unaware of any plans for the building. He expressed concern that the demolition had progressed too far, as the building did not seem to be in such poor condition as to require tearing down. Associate Professor Shehzad Zahir of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology mentioned that scientific research has played a significant role in advancing Bangladesh's agriculture sector. He explained that the laboratory was where agricultural research in Bangladesh began and was a crucial contributor to the country's agricultural development. Therefore, he insisted that the demolition should cease immediately and efforts should be made to protect and preserve the building, given its historical significance 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 BRAC University's Assistant Professor architect Sajid-Bin-Doza. He also noted that the building is well-suited for Bangladesh's tropical climate. Professor Doza expressed disappointment and regret that there is no proper design of the building, indicating a lack of respect for preserving traditional architectural elements. The speaker suggested that the authorities should have taken some photos of the building before it was damaged so that future generations could see it. However, he mentioned that preserving the building now would be expensive due to the damage caused by a hammer.