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PADT to widen deer park canvas
KATHMANDU, JUN 29 -
With Tourism Year 2011 approaching, Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) is planning to establish Mrigasthali (deer park) on its premises for visitors.
Among the Trust’s expansion plans for Mrigasthali are adding some species of birds and animals in the deer park, constructing a bridge to reach the Kailash Park, expanding the pasture for deer and constructing a pavement inside the park. “We hope to start the work in about three months,”said Narottam Baidya, PADT Treasurer. The expansion is expected to cost Rs. 2 million and will be borne by the Trust.
“Our programme will support the government target of bringing more than one million foreign tourists to the country next year. We hope to earn some revenue for ourselves through an entry fee,” Baidya added. “More importantly, we aim at conserving the environment by maintaining greenery in the area.”
PADT officials believe the park can be a popular hang-out in a metropolis where people have a busy schedule. According to Sushil Nahata, Member Secretary of the PADT, a veterinarian will be permanently appointed to look after the animals there.
“The maintenance of the deer park costs Rs. 2.5 million annually at present,”said Nahata. “Once Mrigasthali is opened to the public, security would be tightened.”
Spread over 97 ropanis of land, Mrigasthali currently has 166 deer of three different species — Spotted, Barking Deer and Blackbucks — up from only 32 five years back when they were relocated from the Central Zoo. A five-member staff diligently feeds the animals on a mix of corn, soya bean and wheat chaff twice a day.
According to legend, the Mrigastghali hill across the Pashupati temple is supposed to be where Lord Shiva adopted the guise of a deer to hide from Goddess Parvati, who through her divine vision found him out nonetheless.
Posted on: 2010-06-30 08:28
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