October 2: Banke National Park has introduced the time card system along the East-West Highway, effective from Monday.    
Information Officer at Banke National Park, Arjun Bhusal, said that the time card system has been put in place following the rise in road accidents and death of wildlife due to vehicle-wildlife collision along the highway.    
"We introduced the time card system following the rise in fatal road accidents within the national park area and growing safety threats to wildlife. It has been implemented from Obhari of Shumshergunj in Raptisonaru Rural Municipality-8 to Kachanapur Zero Point (Khairi Check post)," said Bhusal.    
Bhusal shared that the time card system will be applicable along a 15-kilometer stretch inside the Banke National Park. A vehicle must take 23 to 28 minutes to cross this section. The decision to bring the time card system into practice was taken following recommendations from the locals, civil society and entrepreneurs.    
Established in 2067 BS with an objective of promoting conservation of the habitat of tigers and bio-diversity, Banke National Park is the 10th national park of the country and is spread over 550 square kilometers area. The national park lies in Bardiya, Dang and Salyan districts. -- RSS