By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec. 17: The Nepali Army (NA) has begun processes to study, research and protect the historical forts, foot trails and battlefields located in various places across the country.
For this, the army has been holding discussions, coordination and cooperation with the concerned stakeholders.
A statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations and Information (DPR&I) on Monday evening stated that the Division Headquarters, Brigades, Battalions, and Companies have been providing security in such forts and historical foot trails as per the directives of the Chief of Army Staff by developing coordination with the local bodies.
Although the efforts of the army have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for the last few months, the NA has again resumed the task to complete the responsibilities, the directorate said.
In collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, the army has also prepared profiles of such historical sites by visiting the forts and the battlefields used in the historical and unification campaigns of the country.
Similarly, feasibility study report of historical foot trails from Gorkha to Kathmandu used during the unification of Nepal by national unifier Prithvi Narayan Shah and report of Greater Sindhuligadhi Tourism Area Development Master Plan have been prepared, according to the statement.
Earlier, on this unification route (Gorkha-Kathmandu), the NA had organised the unification march with torches including the flags of the first six companies of the army (Srinath, Kalibaksh, Old Gorakh, Bardwani and Sabuj).
Similarly, construction work of a war museum has also begun in Sindhuligadhi. Likewise, construction of Prithvi Gadhi View Point at Sharadakot in Panauti Municipality of Kavre, construction of Balbhadra Kunwar Park and construction of historical weapons room at Palpa Durbar Military Museum have also begun lately.
According to the directorate, the construction work of the integration memorial garden was also started in Bara district.
Brigadier General and spokesperson of Nepali Army Shantosh Ballave Poudyal said the army has allocated a budget of Rs. 49.9 million for the projects in the current fiscal year.