KATHMANDU, June 23: Local residents have raised objections to the removal of saints and priests who have been conducting worship for the past several decades in the Bagdwar area, the source of civilization for the Kathmandu Valley.

Parshuram Pokharel, a local resident and chairman of the BP Museum Committee, stated that locals were compelled to protest against the eviction of Satyananda Shivacharya from Bagdwar, located in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Gokarneshwar Municipality-1.

Recently, a group of local residents visited Bagdwar to verify reports that the park administration was attempting to disrupt a long-standing tradition by removing the saint from his post within the park.

Chairman Pokharel reported that upon reaching Bagdwar, they learned that the process to remove Shivacharya, who has been performing regular puja, had already begun.

Local resident Hemanta Keshar Pandit expressed his sorrow, stating, "It is unfortunate that the park administration is attempting to remove Shivacharya, who has been involved in daily worship for nearly two decades, while they trusted a priest known as Todke Baba, who ran a hotel under the guise of an ashram within the park."

Shiva Lal Gaire, the park's information officer, mentioned that the removals are in line with the policy of not allowing buildings and permanent residents within the main park area. He claimed that an agreement to remove Shivacharya was reached in the first week of June.

Chief Conservation Officer of the park, Dr Ganesh Pant, confirmed they received information about Todke Baba operating a hotel. He clarified that, after reports were received that people are staying overnight at Todke Baba's hotel within the park, they have decided to remove the structure.