By Our Correspondent
Butwal, Mar. 29: Preparations have been made to build a regional level zoo in the area of Manimukunda Udhyan (Garden) of Butwal, a place of historical and archaeological importance which was conquered by the Nepal Army from the British.
Butwal Sub-metropolitan City had built the park in memory of king Manimukunda Sen in 1996.

At present, the park management committee is preparing to convert the same Manimukunda Park into a regional zoo.
Chairman of Manimukunda Sen Park Khem Prasad Luitel said that work has started to develop the park as a regional zoo.

At present, there is a small zoo with nilgai, rabbits, leopards, sarus carnes, peacocks, deer, eagles, foxes, pythons, rats, bears, monkeys, striped hyenas, Japanese chickens, owls and other animals. According to the park, a large number of people come to see the animals in the zoo.

According to Luitel, the ruins of Manimukunda Sen’s palace are being protected and construction work is underway at Munamadan Garden by constructing parapet, renovating Madarthan, constructing walls and chaupari at various places for the protection of the park.

About half a kilometre east of Manimukunda Sen Durbar is the fort of Jitgadhi (Colonel Uzir Singh Gadhi) where the Nepali troops defeated the British.
It is mentioned in history that there was a tunnel from the Durbar to Jitgadhi and Colonel Uzir Singh Thapa, coming from Nuwakot, had taken the command of Nepali side in the war of Jitgadhi.
Preliminary excavations carried out by the Department of Archaeology and Butwal Sub-metropolitan City in 2000 revealed that there was a long tunnel.

The Butwal Sub-metropolitan City started developing the ruins of the palace of Palpali Sen dynasty king Manimukunda Sen in 1996 to develop the place as a tourist destination and domestic and foreign tourists.
The ruins of the palace of Sen king Manimukunda Sen, built in 1575 BS, have become a major tourist attraction.
Lately, the Manimukunda Sen Durbar area has been developing as a place for picnics and weddings.