Kathmandu, February 6

The government has begun the process of setting up zoological parks in all seven provinces, as mentioned in the budget.

In line with this, the Ministry of Forest and Environment has launched activities to set up the zoological parks in three provinces within this fiscal year.

Minister for Forest and Environment Shakti Bahadur Basnet said work to establish the national zoological park at Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, had begun. The park would be built in 245.15 hectare land. Detailed project report was being prepared for it. Some wild animals, including elephants, will be kept here soon, the minister said.

Similarly, Bhanu zoological park was being constructed in Tanahu district, the minister told  the Parliament on Wednesday. According to him, the government has also continued efforts to reduce the clash between humans and wildlife.

The minister said that a zoological park was constructed at Pachavaiya of Pokhara with the coordination of the then District Forest Office, Kaski, and collaboration of the local community forest. It has also come into operation, he added. Earlier, lawmaker Khagaraj Adhikari had raised question about Pachavaiya zoological park.

Likewise, another lawmaker Mahesh Basnet complained about the delay in construction of the park in Bhaktapur. He blamed the finance ministry for delaying release of the budget for the same. Around Rs 8 billion has been estimated for construction of the zoological park.

PM KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone for the park in Bhaktapur some months back. Parliamentarian Basnet drew the attention of the government regarding delay in construction work.