Nepal's $66M Zoo Project Gets Conservation Expert Takeover

Nepal's dream of building a massive new zoo is finally moving forward after years of sitting on the drawing board.

Officials are preparing to transfer the country's ambitious 259-hectare zoo project to the National Trust for Nature Conservation, a semi-governmental body that has successfully managed Nepal's Central Zoo in Kathmandu since 1995. The proposed facility in Suryabinayak would be 40 times larger than the existing zoo, spanning an area that could fit over 2,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The project has been stuck since its 2016 groundbreaking ceremony attended by the prime minister. While construction was estimated to cost $65.8 million, the government could only allocate about $98,700 annually, barely enough to pay staff salaries.

A committee studying the stalled project recently recommended handing operations to NTNC, citing their track record and expertise. "The best option was creating a flexible policy environment for the trust to handle operations," said Maheshwar Dhakal, joint secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment.

NTNC currently manages 942 animals representing 127 species at the Central Zoo. This year, the government renewed their management agreement for another 30 years, a strong vote of confidence in their work.

"We have long experience, tools and technicians that are second to none in Nepal," said Gobinda Prasad Pokharel, conservation and information officer at NTNC. The organization's international partnerships and fundraising capacity could help secure the financing that has eluded government efforts.

Ram Prasad Chaudhary, an emeritus professor at Tribhuvan University, noted that no other organization in Nepal has equivalent experience managing zoos or navigating complex international agreements for transferring animals between facilities.

The Bright Side

The transfer represents a smart solution to a common problem: ambitious public projects that lack the specialized expertise needed for success. By leveraging NTNC's three decades of conservation experience and international connections, Nepal can transform a stalled dream into a world-class facility without starting from scratch.

The new zoo would provide expanded habitats for endangered species, serve as an education center for conservation awareness, and include a dedicated animal treatment facility. NTNC's proven ability to care for rare species like red pandas and one-horned rhinoceroses positions them to create something truly special.

A formal decision is expected soon, bringing Nepal one step closer to opening a conservation facility that matches its biodiversity ambitions.