Tanahun, March 24 A project to develop the famous Byas cave, located in Tanahun district headquarters Byas Ward No - 3, as a religious tourism site has been envisioned. The Byas Cave Area Development Fund has proposed a 10-year master plan with an estimated budget of around Rs 500 million. “As per the plan, a life-size statue of Ved Byas will be sculpted and various other attractions including a park, a pond, and old-age home will be built in the Byas Cave vicinity,” said Chairperson of the fund Ashok Shrestha. Byas Cave and its surrounding area spread over 100 ropanis of land, is believed to be place where the holy sage Byas wrote many of the Hindu scriptures. “Though the place is of huge religious significance, it has sunk into obscurity due to mismanagement. It is time we did the needful to make people aware of its value,” Shresha said. Tanahun Chief District Officer Phadindramani Pokharel said, “If we succeed in this plan, it’ll draw a large number of visitors both from across the country and abroad, which will hugely benefit the entire district and the region,” he said. Byas Municipality Executive Officer Hari Prasad Bastola pledged to help in the fund’s initiatives.