Kohalpur, August 19
Authorities have reduced the time allotted to vehicles travelling through the Banke National Park section of the East-West Mahendra Highway under the existing time-card system.
A coordination meeting chaired by Kohalpur Municipality Mayor Purna Prasad Acharya on Tuesday decided to shorten the travel time between the Obhari and Khairi checkpoints while maintaining traffic flow through the protected area.
The meeting was attended by Banke National Park Senior Conservation Officer Birendra Prasad Kandel, Ranadhwaj Battalion commander Khim Bahadur Dangi, Kohalpur Municipality Ward 9 chair Opendranath Yogi and Ward 12 chair Birendra Shah, among others.
Under the Banke National Park Regulations, 2014, vehicles travelling at a speed of 40 kilometres per hour were allowed between 24 and 28 minutes to cover the 14.2-kilometre stretch.
The revised arrangement reduces the allotted time to between 21 and 24 minutes.
Ward 12 chair Shah said a scientific assessment showed that the distance could safely be covered within 21 to 24 minutes, leading to the decision to implement the new time limit.
He said the change would save travellers at least seven minutes.
The meeting also decided to install information boards and road signs at various locations along the highway to promote tourism, encourage coexistence between people and wildlife, and help reduce road accidents.
Kohalpur Municipality and Banke National Park will coordinate on the installation of the signs.
Authorities also agreed to promote Banke National Park as a tourism destination for the district.
In coordination with Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City and other relevant agencies, large hoarding boards and information signs will be placed at Jhudwa border point, Ranjha Chowk, Nepalgunj Airport and Kohalpur Chowk.
The meeting also discussed linking park conservation with tourism promotion and local development, with participants agreeing to move forward through greater coordination among local governments and park authorities.
