Pachbhaiya Zoological Udyan Kendra built at Pachbhaiya in Lekhnath, a garden city of seven lakes, has been opened to the public. According to the concept of Greater Pokhara, a Zoological Garden Center has been built by covering the Pachbhaiya, Chainpur, and Chapapani Chisakuna community forests of the Lekhnath area as a new tourist attraction.
Under the Gandaki State Government Division Forest Office Kaski, the center has been put into operation by forming a management committee with the participation of residents, representatives of the Forest Consumer Committee, and representatives of the United Club.
Dinanath Dhakal, chairman of the Pachbhaiya Zoological Udyan Center Management Committee, informed that the center, which has been operating with the concept of an open zoo, has been opened to the public. According to him, the ticket fee for visiting the center is Rs 15 for students and Rs 25 for other general public.
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 the general public who reach the center can observe 22-23 species of wild animals and birds such as leopard, nilgai, red deer, chital, forest cat, jackal, python, white vulture, owl, peacock, turtle, etc.
Dhakal said that along with wildlife observation, the protection and promotion of various religious and cultural places in this area have also been emphasized. "Along with open chirping, our goal is to protect and develop Sita Cave, Bajramushti Temple, Nagababa's austerities of historical and religious importance in this region", he said, "There are many possibilities to connect these places with tourism here."
He says that although Sita Cave can become a good tourist destination, it has not been promoted along with its protection. Along with the Bajramushti temple of religious importance, there is a possibility that Thaplo of Bhushanpur, where Devnath Baba achieved success, can be protected and made a destination for religious tourism, Dhakal said. Locals have been insisting on the need to protect the natural mustard-burning charcoal in this area since ancient times.
The idea of establishing a zoo in this area started in 2067, says Himalaya Bakhrel, former president of United Club and engineer. He said that it is important for the initiative of the club and the activism of residents to reach a state of operation before its construction. The foundation stone of the zoo was laid by the then Health Minister Khagraj Adhikari on 15th July 2072.
He informed that 20 percent of the income of the Pokhara Festival held by the United Club every year has been 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 Park Center built at Pachbhaiya, which is only 25 km away from Pokhara, will be equally important in extending the stay of tourists in Pokhara.
With the help of the Gandaki state government, the footpath from Chapapani to View Tower and Rupatal has been constructed for Rs 15-15 lakhs, targeting tourists. Kedar Baral, Head of Division Forest Office, Kaski informed that Rs. one million five million was separated for operation of the center. According to him, the money was used to repair the broken link road to the center along with the footpath, build cages for keeping animals, buy dotting guns, etc. This year, Rs 40 lakh has been allocated for the centre. Three support staff including one manager have been hired for the operation of the center. ---
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