Bhaktapur, July 20, 2025
More than a decade after Nepal’s ambitious plan to build an international-standard national zoo in Bhaktapur’s Suryabinayak Municipality, progress remains strikingly slow-with less than 10% of the construction completed.
Initiated in 2014 (2071 B.S.) through a cabinet decision to develop the project across 245 hectares of forest land, the national zoo was envisioned to promote biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and eco-tourism. In 2016, the then (and current) Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone of the project, yet visible progress has been minimal.
According to project officials, only two major works have been completed so far: construction of an administrative building in Katunje, and fencing around the proposed zoo area. No significant infrastructure related to animal enclosures, visitor facilities, or transport has been established.
Funding Woes and Policy Neglect
Raju Ghimire, Director of the National Zoo, pointed to chronic budget shortages as the key obstacle. “We were told to proceed based on the government’s plans, but with budget cuts and lack of prioritization, everything has come to a standstill,” he stated. “Even the previously allocated budget is being reduced.”
The government’s own estimate suggests that just constructing the essential infrastructure for the zoo would cost nearly NPR 8 billion. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has submitted a detailed master plan to the Ministry of Forests, proposing roadways, restaurants, cable cars up to Ranikot Hill, and other eco-tourism infrastructure.
However, Dr. Ram Chandra Kandel, Director General of the Department, explained that the overall project could require NPR 10-15 billion - an ambitious sum that is difficult to mobilize in one go. “Given the scale and cost, this project is not currently on the government’s list of top priorities,” he noted.
A Vision with Untapped Potential
Despite delays, officials argue that the zoo could become a milestone in Nepal’s environmental conservation and tourism efforts. Once completed, the zoo would house endangered species, create a hub for biological research, and generate substantial government revenue through eco-tourism.
“No such biological research center exists in Nepal as of now,” added Dr. Kandel. “If completed, this project could replicate international models such as the one in Chandigarh, India.”
The zoo authorities are now exploring alternative financing - including possible partnerships with international zoos, conservation organizations, and donor agencies.
Local Apathy and Unfulfilled Promises
Surprisingly, the local government and communities have shown limited involvement in advancing the project. Although Ward Chairperson of Suryabinayak-6, Ishwar Khadka, claimed that the municipality had urged the Forest Minister to expedite the work, no tangible outcomes have followed.
The project site, which spans parts of the former Katunje, Gundu, and Sipadol areas, remains largely untouched, raising questions about political will, coordination, and long-term planning.
As Nepal continues to face mounting environmental challenges and a pressing need for nature-based tourism solutions, the stagnant national zoo project stands as a sobering reminder of unfulfilled promises and overlooked potential.
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