Itahari, Mar. 10: An interaction programme jointly organised by the Koshitappu Wildlife Conservation office and the NGO parks and people has decided to declare the conservation area a core area for the long term development of wetlands.

The interaction also decided to expel all domestic animals left loose in the conservation area till March 28 and initiate action against defaulters.

The programme came to the conclusion that they have to clamp down on deforestation and dismantling and theft of boundary wire and launch a campaign to develop the area as a tourist spot.

Extensive discussion was also held on the recovery of loans issued under the parks and people programme skill development and income generating schemes for people of the area.

Chairman of the Koshitappu Land Problem Resolution Committee Jayahari Sharma, inaugurating the programme said that all people in the locality should be active to develop the area for income generation.

Some 13 VDC chairmen from Sunsari, Saptari and Udaypur districts which fall under the core area took part in the programme.

Meanwhile in Bhaktapur, a two-day basic training for masons began here today with a view to assist in the construction of earthquake resistant houses in Bhaktapur district.

The training being held for the first time in the district by the department of housing is being participated by some 35 professional masons of the district.

Inaugurating the training, chairman of the natural calamity relief committee and CDO Dhrub Raj Wagle urged that houses should be built with the use of earthquake-damage prevention measures though this will be a little more expensive.

The department aims at conducting training for masons in earthquake resistant building techniques in all 75 districts of the country. It has already completed training in 25 districts including Bhaktapur.