POKHARA, March 4: The Pachbhaiya Zoological Park and wildlife Rescue Center built at Pachbhaiya in Lekhnath, has opened for public. 

According to the concept of Greater Pokhara, a Zoological Garden Center has been constructed covering Pachbhaiya, Chainpur and Chapapani Chisakuna community forests of Lekhnath region as a new tourist attraction.

The center has been put into operation by forming a management committee with the participation of local residents, representatives of the forest users' committee and representatives of the United Club under the supervision of the Divisional Forest Office, Kaski under the Gandaki Province Government.

Dinanath Dhakal, chairman of Pachbhaiya Zoological Zoological Park and wildlife Rescue Center Management Committee, said that the center, which has been operating with the concept of an open zoo, has been opened to the general public. According to him, a ticket fee of Rs 15 for students and Rs 25 for other general public has been fixed to visit the center.

Stating that students from various schools have been coming to see the center recently, he expressed his belief that it will become another new tourist destination in Pokhara in the future. He said that people who reach the center can see 22-23 species of wild animals and birds like leopard, blue bull, red deer, chital, forest cat, jackal, python, white vulture owls, peacock, turtle etc.

Dhakal said that along with the observation of wildlife, the protection and promotion of various religious and cultural places in this area has also been emphasized. "Along with the open zoo, our goal is to protect and develop the historical and religious importance of Sita Cave, Bajramushti Temple, places of Naga Baba's (Naked hindu sadhus)", he added, "There are many possibilities to connect these places with tourism here."

He said that although Sita Cave can become a good tourist destination, it has not been promoted along with its conservation. Along with Bajramushti temple of religious importance, Thapla of Bhushanpur, where Devnath Baba attained enlightenment, is also possible to be protected and made a destination for religious tourism. Dhakal said locals have been insisting on protecting the natural mustard burning charcoal in this area since ancient times.

The idea of establishing a zoo in this area started in 2010, says Himalaya Bakhrel, the former president of the United Club and an engineer. He said that it is important for the initiative of the club and the activation of local residents to reach a state of operation before its construction. The foundation stone of the zoo was laid by the then Health Minister Khaga Raj Adhikari on July 31, 2015.

He said that 20 percent of the income of the Pokhara Festival held by the United Club every year is allocated for the construction of this zoo. 450 species of animals and plants are found in the center premises and Rupatal area. Rupatal has 24 species of fish and 36 different species of birds.

As the eastern part of the center is connected to Rupatal, locals believe that with its construction, Rupatal will also be protected. Nirmal Adhikari, vice president of Chapapani Chisakuna Community Forest, said that it is believed that the zoological center built at Pachbhaiya, which is only 25 km away from Pokhara, will be equally important to extend the stay of tourists in Pokhara.

With the help of the Gandaki province government, the footpath from Chapapani to View Tower and Rupatal has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 million, targeting tourists. Kedar Baral, Head of Division Forest Office, Kaski, said that Rs 15 million was allocated from the state government last year for the operation of the center.

According to him, the funds were used to repair the broken link road to the center along with the footpath, build 'cages' for keeping animals, purchase 'dotting guns' etc. Rs 4 million have been allocated for the center this year. Three support staff including one manager have been hired for the operation of the center.

 
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