“Though we forwarded the proposal to do away with the compulsion for people in the region to travel to the Capital to observe, study and enjoy watching wild animals and attract tourists to the town, we have not been able to get any kind of assistance from the government,” said Moti Raj Gyawali, chairperson of the committee. He said the proposal  to construct the zoo with an estimated budget of Rs 80 million was forwarded to the Ministry of Finance. “But the government is yet to allocate the budget for the project,” Gyawali said.

He said  without government approval, they could not reach out to the private sector seeking assistance for the project. Despite such hassles, the committee has initiated work to develop the park into a zoo using its own resources. In the first phase, the committee has started construction of boundary walls and acquired land to shift the zoo to the western corner of the park.

Likewise, the park has brought in new species of wild animals and birds. Gyawali said they will soon create a perfect habitat that will suit the specific needs of each wild animal and plant that the zoo will showcase.

Established in the year 1997, the park boasts 22 kinds of wildlife, including rabbits, leopards, crane, peacock, vulture, wolves, pythons, guinea pigs, deer, white monkeys, tiger and bear. Visitors flock to the park in large numbers every day to observe animals and have peaceful time.

According to  Bikram Basyal, manager of the park, around 1,500-4,000 visitors come to the park on a daily basis.