Lalitpur, June 5

Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Agni Prasad Sapkota today stressed that the government programmes and policies should include a special plan to control forest fires.

Addressing a programme organised to mark the World Environment Day here today, Minister Sapkota said it was his ministry’s responsibility to protect nature and wildlife. He said the government had prioritised management of the central zoo, which is home to various wildlife species.

Also speaking on the occasion, central zoo manager Sarita Gyawali said the zoo’s annual event ‘Friends of Zoo’ is aimed at protecting environment and endangered animals.

The programme was held under the theme ‘Let’s conserve our wildlife, our environment.’

Prior to the programme, school teachers, students, government employees and representatives from various organisations had taken out a rally in Lalitpur Municipality. Prizes were distributed to students adjudged the winner of various events held as part of the programme.

Likewise, the Dumre Thumka Adarsha Women Community Forest Users’ Group was honoured with a cash prize of Rs 25,000 in recognition of its notable contribution to environment protection.

Similarly, a book entitled ‘Site Specific Conservation Action Plan for Blackbuck in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal’ published by the Ministry of Forest was launched at the programme.