Kathmandu, July 15

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City plans to develop at least one park in each ward, and construction works have already started for the same in wards 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 18, and 35.

“There are 35 wards in Kathmandu. Open spaces available in each ward will be utilised to build a park,” said Chief of Environment Division at KMC Rabin Man Shrestha. “We started this work to properly utilise open spaces available in the city and foster a healthy, green environment,” he added.

KMC Spokesperson Gyanendra Karki informed that although the KMC had envisaged this plan before the massive earthquake last year, it lacked necessary funds to implement the plan then.

“After the earthquake, the necessity of open space has been highly realised,” he said.

KMC had passed an estimated budget of Rs 10 million for each ward for different programmes.

“We have started construction of parks in seven wards at a total budget of Rs 20 million,” Shrestha said. The metropolis has given a final shape to the drawing and design of parks in wards 7, 14, 15, and 35.

Construction of the parks began a month ago. Locals have also been extending their support in terms of fund and labour to the metropolis.

“It is a very commendable project. Because of lack of proper open spaces, we had no places to hang out and rest,” said Nabina Shrestha, a local of Balkhu.