Kathmandu, May 25

The Shivapuri-Nagarjuna National Park has prepared a justification report that shows relocation of settlements inside the park is necessary to protect wildlife.

The Shivapuri-Nagarjuna National Park is preparing to submit the report to the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, which will then forward it to to the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation.

Chief Conservation Officer of the park Kamal Jung Kunwar said the report explained why settlements needed to be relocated and what change would occur if the step is taken.

“We have prepared a report, which makes clear why relocation of settlements from the Shivapuri-Nagarjuna National Park area is necessary,” Kunwar told The Himalayan Times. He said locals of the area were ready to be relocated if their demands were fulfilled.

As per the report, around 700 households living in settlements inside the park area have agreed to be relocated if they are paid proper compensation. “Local people have agreed to be relocated on condition that they be paid adequate compensation,” the report reads.

If everything goes as planned, four villages in the national park’s core area — Mulkharka, Chilaune, Okhreni and Kune — will be relocated.

It said said further process in this regard will move ahead after feasibility study of new locations and budget estimation.

Earlier in March this year, a taskforce headed by chief warden of the national park had been formed to prepare a preliminary report on the relocation of settlements in the park area by holding discussions with locals.

After receiving a letter from the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, which was sent on January 26, 2017, Shivapuri-Nagarjuna National Park had held first consultation with locals on March 7.

Shivapuri-Nagarjuna National Park was established in 2002. The park is demarcated by stone and brick walls.

Shivapuri-Nagarjuna National Park has two islands of forests namely Shivapuri and Nagarjuna. The park area is surrounded by heavy sub-urban population.