Save Crumbling Heritage

Nepal boasts of multiple icons of her identities. She has been endowed with both natural and man-made wonders which have made her famous in the world. The Himalayan nation situated in the heart of Asia is famous for thousands of rivers, enchanting snow-capped mountains, myriad of verdant hills and vast swathes of plain lands. Diverse climatic zones, arable land, dense forests and rich biodiversity have made the country fit for the settlement of human beings since pre-historic age. This is a reason why this ancient land fostered various civilisations, cultures, religions and values over the millennia. Being home to various inquisitive dynasties since the ancient time, this nation became a vibrant place for the development of marvellous architecture, historical monuments and precious intangible heritage. As they carry faith, myth, mystery and emotions of people, they have become the integral part of their life. These monuments include palatial castles, temples, fortes, stupas, spouts and historical buildings, among others. Despite their cultural, intellectual and religious importance, many of them are not well preserved. 

A number of such sites and monuments which are recognised by the UNESCO, receive due attention from the national and international agencies.  But many others which are not included in the UNESCO Heritage List are in dilapidated conditions. There are over 4,850 registered ancient monuments in the urgent need of protection, according to the Department of Archaeology (DoA). A news report of this daily states that Yangah Hiti located at Yangal near Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is the Lichhavi-era tap but now it is drowned by its own water, with bushes overgrowing there. The Dattatreya Temple located near Patan Durbar Square has fallen into disrepair. Its struts have been stolen, roofs gone down and walls broken. In a similar manner, shrines, temples, resting places and buildings located in the River Ghats of the Kathmandu Valley are standing rickety. They also carry the social and architectural values but have not received the recognition of ‘heritage’. Rather, they are degrading and disappearing with the pace of settlement expansion and urbanisation.

A report of the Office of the Auditor General has pointed out to the absence of policy and laws behind the pathetic situation of valuable monuments. Inadequate budget, shortage of traditional building materials and skilled human resource, increasing encroachment and lack of coordination between the three-tier government – local, provincial and federal – have faltered the works of preservation, renovation and maintenance  of heritage sites. Sometime controversy also rises with regard to the conservation model of the World Heritage Sites such Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhu.  The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) that looks after the Pashupatinath has drawn flak for using concrete haphazardly, which according to experts violates international principle of conservation. Similar debate had arisen regarding the reconstruction of the Balgopaleshwar temple in the middle of Ranipokhari of the capital. 

In addition to framing and implementing the necessary laws and regulations, it is necessary to generate awareness among the people about the importance of tangible and intangible heritage monuments. Article 48 of the constitution states that citizens need to protect and preserve public property that also includes cultural sites. Legal instruments such as the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 1956, Environment Protection Act 2019 and the National Culture Policy emphasise protecting heritage, customs and traditions. The DoA should be equipped with required human and financial resources by decentralising its structure in line with the federal design. The concerned stakeholders should gear for collective initiative to preserve the monuments. In essence, valuable monuments that lie hidden from public eye and are less talked about should also be saved from falling and disappearing.