Minister for Forest and Environment Shakti Bahadur Basnet said a goal was set to develop Kanchanpur-based Shuklaphanta National Park as an open zoo.

Inaugurating a gate of Shuklaphanta National Park at Beldandi rural municipality in Kanchanpur today, the minister said Shuklaphanta was rich with bio-diversity and a habitat for rare wild species.

"We have set a target to develop Shuklaphanta as an open zoo so that inflow of quality tourists will increase", he shared, adding, "A new approach has been adopted to take this idea ahead".

Three governments engrossing efforts for development-Minister Magar

On the same occasion, Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Bina Magar asserted that all three tiers of federal, state and local governments are engrossing their efforts for the country’s development.

Claiming that she was attentive for providing drinking water, education, road infrastructures and health service in her electoral constituency, the minister said she would not allow the southern belt of Kanchanpur to be relegated to backburner.

"Shukphanta is a centre of tourism attraction", Minister Magar said, adding there are however some complications resulting from the rampage of wild animals.