Foundation stone of zoological garden laid

Kathmandu, June 23

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today laid the foundation stone of zoological garden in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur amid a function organised by the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation.

Addressing the programme, Oli said the historical and cultural city of Bhaktapur would get its new identity as a home to a lively museum of flora and fauna after its establishment. For the purpose of construction of infrastructures, the government has allocated Rs 55 million through the fiscal budget of 2016/17.

Officials at the MoFSC in association with National Trust for Nature Conservation and other stakeholders have already completed demarcation of boundary for construction of the international standard zoological garden.

As per the government’s long-term plan to relocate Central Zoo from Jawlakhel to Suryabinayak, big mammals would be shifted to the zoological garden in the first phase. The Central Zoo lacks spacious ground for big animals. Four corner demarcation of the land spreading over an area of 245 hectares has already been completed, said officials.

The new zoo will be equipped with animal-friendly modern facilities such as zoological garden, recreational centres and animal care centres. Officials said the government would develop the zoo and zoological garden in such a way that large and endangered wild animals and birds can be protected.

The land covers seven community forests of Suryabinayak, and Gundu, Sipadol and Katunje VDCs. The Central Zoo is spread over only six hectares of land with mammals, avians, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic species cohabiting within a limited space.

Officials said bigger animals like tiger, rhino, bear, leopard, elephant, crocodile, hippopotamus, donkey, zebra, lion, sloth bear and water buffalo would be shifted to the new facility once it is set up.

The Central Zoo has not been able to bring new animal species, rescued wild animals or endangered animals and birds due to lack of space.