5,000 saplings to be planted in Pashupati area

KATHMANDU: A campaign to plant saplings in Pashupati area has started with an objective of increasing greenery in this World Heritage Site.

As many as 5,000 saplings of various species of trees are to be planted under this campaign.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari on Saturday initiated the sapling planting campaign.

Two hundred and fifty saplings of various species like Belpatra, Lothsallo, Chilaune, Lapsi and Parijat were planted at Mirgasthali area on Saturday as part of the campaign, according to Pravin Dhakal, member-secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).

PADT would assign people to take care of the saplings.

According to Dhakal, it costs Rs 11,114 to look after a single sapling.

The PADT board has decided to allow people to plant saplings in the Pashupati area on special occasions like birth day and marriage anniversary and take care of it.

The Eurasia Reiyukai has taken permission this week to plant 300 saplings, the PADT said.