KATHMANDU, APR 10 -
If the plan of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) goes well, Ratna Park, the oldest park of the Capital situated in its heart, will bask in new glory.

The park in a sorry state for last several years with garbage littering elsewhere and vendors taking hold of streets eclipsing beauty is awaiting immediate attention.

In a bid to restore the lost beauty of the park, KMC has decided on Thursday to renovate it. The metropolitan city has agreed to spent at least Rs. 2 million. A five member committee has been formed to work in this regard.

The committee will conduct a study and come up with a report on ways to refurbish the park. “Building a fence in south of the park will be the main focus,” said Hari Sharan KC, chief of Ratnapark-Ranipokhari Management Department and a member of the committee. “Seventy percent problems will be solved once the wall is constructed.”

KC sees vendors as the main reason behind mismanagement of the park. “They are illegally doing business inside the park.” Though KMC officials tried to evict vendors time and again, they haven't succeed so far.

“But they will be driven away now,” said KC. “We have been facing problems to manage the park due to the lack of a fence.”

Shrestha said the budget approved during the meeting will meet the initial expenditure to beautify the park. “More budget will be allocated later,” he said.

On the other hand, KC said the amount will not be enough to carry out all renovation work. “More budget will be needed.”

The committee will focus on planting new plants, constructing water fountains and will clean the pond followed by other planning. The pond having colourful fishes has turned into a dumping site and empty plastic bottles and polythene bags can be seen here and there. 

Once renovation works of the park will be carried out, Kathmanduities will heave a sigh of relief at a time when conservationists say Kathmandu is slowly becoming a concrete jungle.


Posted on: 2010-04-11 10:22

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