Khotang, 9 June: The construction of Yalambar Park, featuring a life-sized statue of Yalambar—the first Kiranti king—has been completed in Buipama, Majhuwagadhi Municipality-14, Rupakot-Diktel. The park, built on 30 ropani (approx. 3.6 acres) of government land at the Buipa Panchdobato crossroads, includes a 110-feet-tall, full-length statue of Yalambar.
The Yalambar Park, featuring a statue of King Yalambar, has been constructed in Buipama, Khotang—a region widely recognized as the heartland of the Kirant people. The project was funded 70% by the Koshi Provincial Government and 30% by Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality.
Built at a cost of approximately NPR 14 crore, the park includes a fiber-reinforced statue of Yalambar. The construction contract was awarded to Uma-Tuvachung-Ansubi JV, which carried out the project.
Ward Chairperson Dinesh Rai informed that Yalambar Park, constructed with an entry fee for both domestic and international tourists, offers various facilities including sightseeing areas, iron-frame rest benches, free Wi-Fi, coffee, and fast food services.
“All the facilities found in other parks will be available in Yalambar Park,” he said. “We have placed a large statue of Yalambar at the center of the park, which is enclosed by fencing on all sides. The park, built using modern technology, has become quite attractive. We expect it to contribute to increasing the internal revenue of the municipality as well.”
The statue of Yalambar constructed at Buipa’s Panchdobato (five-way crossroads), which hosts a weekly Friday market, is claimed to be the tallest and largest of its kind in the world to date.
Deputy Chief of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, Bishan Rai, explained that Yalambar Park, featuring the full-length statue of Yalambar, was built with the dual objectives of preserving Kirant community history and promoting tourism.
“The construction of Yalambar Park was given top priority by both the provincial government and the municipality,” he said. “We are confident this park will contribute not just to our municipality’s tourism promotion but to the entire province’s tourism development.”
He added, “As per the agreement, 60% of the park’s revenue will go to the municipality while 40% will be allocated to the provincial government.”
Sunil Rai, the manager of Tuwachung Construction Pvt. Ltd. and representative of the contractor company, informed that even though a month has passed since the completion of Yalambar Park, the municipality has not made the payment.
“We had prepared to complete the assigned work and hand it over by the 10th of Baisakh (mid-April). However, the municipality has yet to pay the amount we are owed,” he said.
According to Rai, the construction of Yalambar Park was completed, and there were plans to formally inaugurate it on the 17th of Jestha (early June). He added that approximately NPR 30 million is still due from the municipality, and due to the municipality’s inability to make the payment, they were compelled to halt the plan to inaugurate the park with the Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Kumar Karki.
Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality Mayor Tirtharaj Bhattarai informed that payments to the contractor company have been delayed because the municipality hasn’t received the budget allocated under Koshi Province Government’s responsibility for the park construction.
“We’ve already made our share of payments from the municipality’s side. However, the provincial government hasn’t yet released its allocated budget of NPR 3.9 crore,” Bhattarai stated. He added, “There’s little likelihood of receiving the provincial budget this fiscal year. Should the funds arrive, we’ll immediately clear the payments and bring the project into full operation.”
