KATHMANDU: The Central Zoo celebrated its 20th anniversary under the management of the National Trust for Nature Conservation by organising various programmes on its premises in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, today.

Inaugurating the celebration, chief guest and Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Agni Prasad Sapkota stressed on proper management of natural resources and wild animals, saying the country has a high potential for nature-based tourism, which can improve the lives of local communities.

Sapkota, who is also the chairperson of NTNC, said the government would transfer big mammals in the zoo to the zoological garden to be established at Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur as the Central Zoo lacks spacious ground for big animals.

Similarly, MoFSC secretary Uday Chandra Thakur shared the progress on establishment of the zoological garden at Suryabinayak.

Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Fanindra Raj Kharel appreciated the zoo’s efforts and its contribution to creating awareness through conservation education programmes.

Govinda Gajurel, member secretary of the NTNC, laid emphasis on the need to expand the current zoo as the government has already decided to establish a zoological garden in Suryabinayak.