JHAPA, Jan 23: The Martyr Netra Memorial Park built in Birtamod Municipality-7 two years back has turned desolate. The locals have been worried why the park had not come into operation. The park was built as per the municipality's plan to attract tourists, but it faced obstruction in operation due to Covid-19 impact.

Ward Chairman Krishna Kharel said that a collective campaign was launched to operate the public facility listed in 101 destinations set by the provincial government. Before the establishment of the park, the place was occupied by the Bhutanese refugees. The provincial government spent Rs 20 million to construct the park after the Bhutanese refugees left for a third country settlement. Kharel reminds that costly infrastructures were created to attract visitors to the park built in 22 bighas of land.

Even a children's park and swimming pool are in the Memorial Park. The park was made in memory of martyr Netra Ghimire, who was killed by the then panchayat government in Sukhani forest in Falgun 2029 BS. Ghimire was one among five persons shot dead in the course of Jhapa movement. As the public facility is ignored, the structures are getting unusable.

Now, with the initiative of Sundar Nichajhoda community forest users' group, the political parties, people's representatives and students have come together for cleanliness of the public garden. "There is a huge amount of government investment, but it is left unused," Kharel said, adding that he would now press the concerned agencies to use the park.

The local government would continue sanitation for a week. Similarly, chairman of communist forest user's group, Badri Pyakurel, informed that the Park would be brought to operation after maintaining drinking water, electricity and toilets. Even a security system would be put in place because the spot is near a jungle corridor where elephants stroll. The amenities inside the Park would be repaired and made usable.

 
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