Nepal prepares to hand over mega zoo project to conservation body
Nepal is preparing to transfer a zoo project to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) after nearly a decade of discussions. The project, which has faced funding challenges, is estimated to cost around 10 billion Nepali rupees. Supporters of the transfer cite NTNC's experience, while critics raise concerns about its current financial struggles and past controversies.
- ▪The zoo project has been under discussion since 2015 and was initially groundbreaking in 2016.
- ▪The government has allocated only 15 million Nepali rupees annually towards the project, leading to limited progress.
- ▪The NTNC has managed the Central Zoo in Kathmandu since 1995 and has a track record in conservation.
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Nepal plans to hand over a zoo project that has been under discussion for nearly a decade to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), a semi-governmental body that runs the country’s only operating zoo.The government has been setting aside roughly 15 million Nepali rupees($98,700) a year for a project estimated to cost 10 billion Nepali rupees($65.8 million), leaving it effectively frozen since its groundbreaking in 2016.The NTNC points to nearly three decades of zoo management experience, international partnerships and fundraising capacity as evidence it is the right fit for the job.Critics, however, point to financial struggles at its existing zoo, a politically controversial leadership appointment, and the death of an endangered red panda as reasons for concern.See All Key…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Mongabay — News.
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