Kathmandu, April 3 Pashupati Area Development Trust today declared the Pashupati area a ‘no-begging’ zone. The decision was taken in coordination with the Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation, Kathmandu Metropolitan City and various other organisations. Speaking at a programme Minister for Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari appreciated the initiative taken by the Pashupati Area Development Trust and said, “PADT has done commendable work and the ministry will extend all support to implement the decision.” PADT declared the Pashupati area a no-begging zone after rehabilitating beggars. The officials said that some people who resorted to begging for easy money ran away from the area when they knew that they were being rehabilitated to foster homes or being given some work in the area. According PADT, there were as many as 152 beggars residing in shelters built on the premises of Pashupatinath temple. Among them, many were genuine beggars, whereas a few were frauds who used to beg on the premises of the temple impersonating themselves as handicapped or diseased persons. The trust declared the area a no-begging zone after Human Service Ashram rehabilitated as many as 81 elderly beggars from the area. The ashram is a foster home that provides food, shelter and clothes to homeless people. Similarly, women and children found begging in the area have also been sent to various rehabilitation centres. Speaking at the programme, patron of Human Service Ashram, who is also a former member secretary of PADT, Govinda Tondon, said that they were keen to support PADT to completely abolish begging culture in Pashupati area. Similarly, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Bidhya Sundar Shakya also promised to provide all necessary support to make the area a no-begging zone. Member Secretary of PADT Pradeep Dhakal urged the public to support their initiatives and help to keep the area beggar-free.