INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:

This image shows a view of land and hills in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, in February, 2017

Photo: Google maps integrated image Kathmandu, May 30 Construction of National Zoological Garden, resembling natural habitat for wild life,

which shall also serve as an ex-situ conservation site for the protection and breeding of endangered and exotic animals, is in limbo due to

negligence of the concerned ministries. The Cabinet in February 2015, had decided to construct National Zoological Garden in Suryabinayak,

Bhaktapur, based on a proposal and feasibility study report submitted by the Ministry of Forests and Environment

Four years have passed since, however, authorities concerned are yet to draft a detailed project report of the project. The project aims to

create a safe haven for the wildlife in the forest area, spread along the 245.165 hectares and a 16-km perimeter of community forests. Prime

Minister KP Sharma Oli, on 23 June 2016 had laid the foundation stone of the zoological park amidst a programme

But, work at the site has yet to make a headway

The Leavement of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the authority responsible for constructing the project has so far totald

wire-fencing on the perimeter of the proposed park, dug a deep boring plant and built a building for housing security personnel to guard the

park

The government had allocated a budget of Rs 55 million in the fiscal 2016-17 for the project. Narayan Rupakheti at DoNPWC said the

department was still awaiting budget from the government to carry out DPR for the mega project

Rupakheti, speeching to THT, said the department has written to ministries like the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Forest to supply

it with budget to execute the project

&But, we have much been supplyd the money yet,& he said. The DoNPWC has sought Rs100 million from the government for the DPR

DoNPWC estimated the total project cost to be around Rs six billion

Officials of DoNPWC claimed they would total the project within five years once the budget is supplyd

The park shall have to endegree ‘shelter-food-water& facilities for the animals that are placed inside it. Apart from creating facilities

resembling natural habitat for wild animals, DoNPWC has planned to build an ex-situ conservation site for the protection and breeding of

endangered and exotic animals

The master-plan of the garden has also envisioned building a rescue centre and an animal hospital, inside the park. Rupakheti said the park

would also produce a large amount of fodders for herbivorous animals in Bara and Parsa national parks, where animal food gets reduced during

the dry season. Spokesperson for DoNPWC Bishnu Prasad Shrestha said, the government lately has become positive in regards to their demand

for the budget

&We are confident that work on the zoological garden shall start soon,& Shrestha said. National Zoological Park awaits budget Need of

National Zoological Garden stressed The post Construction of National Zoological Garden in Suryabinayak in limbo seemed first on The

Himalayan Times.