Chitwan, October 24
The government is yet to start construction work on Nepal’s first wildlife hospital, nearly two years after the foundation stone was laid for the project.
While the site in Chitwan where the hospital was to be constructed wears a deserted look, local vets lack the infrastructure to take care of injured wild animals.
The hospital’s foundation stone was laid by then Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya on March 4, 2015 (picture above). Forest ministry officials had said the new facility would help treat wounded wild animals, and shelter those that are disabled.
“The building was supposed to go up by the end of this year. But the project does not have the required funds even to start work,” says Chitwan National Park’s Assistant Conservation Officer Abhinay Pathak.
Local officials say the hospital could have helped a lot in saving the lives of injured animals around Nepal’s oldest national park. “We do not have basic equipment such as X-ray machines at the facility we have now,” says Dr Kamal Gaire, a vet at the park.
According to official figures, more than 25 wild animals have died in the part in the last two years. Of the 25, 14 were rhinos and 10 other animals who died following altercations with other animals in the park. Three rhinos have died at the park just this year.
Officials say some of the animals could have been saved if the hospital were ready on time.
The hospital, which has a price tag of Rs 20 million, was to be built in association with WWF, Denver Zoo, and National Trust for Nature Conservation. The hospital was to have four doctors and seven technicians.
