The project could not materialize due to government´s indecision to give responsibilities to either National Trust for Nature Conservation or Nepal Trust, Forest Conservation Officer at the Department of Forests, Yam Aryal said. The government has already allocated Rs. 10 million for the construction of the zoo.[break]
The stakeholders concerned have expressed their concern for slow progress in implementation of the project saying that the budget allocated for the zoo was about to freeze.
"The preliminary works for the construction have been forwarded. So, the task should not be halted at any cost," Aryal said. "The construction will be started once the government takes decision to this effect," he said.
The construction will begin after the study of the site to house the beasts was suitalbe, Aryal stated. He said in the capacity of the conservation officer he would take his best efforts for this, he added.
The Conservation Trust had conducted the preliminary study since the beginning for the zoo construction and the government should give the task to the Trust, said member-secretary of the Trust Juddha Gurung.
The Trust has held researches in 282.8 hectares of community forest areas in Likhnarayan, Balkumari, Sanjivani, Setidevi, Suryabinayak and Manthali of Gundu and Sipadol VDCs in Bhaktapur.
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