Kaligandaki erosion puts Rani Mahal at risk

BY REKHIRAM RANA,Tansen, Nov. 23: Stakeholders have expressed concern over the increasing flow of the Kaligandaki River near Rani Mahal in Tansen Municipality-14 of Palpa district. They said that the river's course was increasingly directed toward the base of the Rani Mahal, putting the beautiful palace at risk. 

The palace sits atop a foundation beneath which the Kaligandaki River flows. According to stakeholders, the river's current has caused a sinkhole in the lower section of the palace. Four years ago, a team of divers had reported that the river had cut into the rocks beneath the foundation, advancing up to seven feet toward the palace.

Former Mayor of Tansen Municipality, Ashok Kumar Shahi, expressed concern that if the erosion caused by the river was not controlled, the palace could collapse, leading to the complete loss of this historic structure. He emphasised the need for immediate action and suggested implementing measures to prevent further erosion and protect the foundation.

Member of the House of Representatives, Thakur Gaire, urged the municipality and the Department of Archaeology to focus on preserving the 127-year-old Rani Mahal by controlling the erosion. He pointed out the significance of Rani Mahal as a historic and cultural heritage site for Palpa and Nepal, calling for collective attention to its protection.

A budget of Rs. 10 million has been allocated in the current fiscal year to prevent erosion at the foundation of the Rani Mahal. 

Chief of the Janata Embankment Programme in Butwal, Shambhuraj Pandit, said that preliminary work to prevent erosion would begin with the budget. He said that efforts would be made after assessing the state of the foundation once the water level of the Kaligandaki River diminishes. He assured that consultations with experts and the Department of Archaeology would guide immediate steps to protect the Rani Mahal.

The Rani Mahal Palace was constructed in 1897 AD by Khadga Shumsher Rana on the rocky banks of the Kaligandaki River in memory of his wife, Tej Kumari. Currently, the palace is managed and maintained by Tansen Municipality. According to the municipality, the Rani Mahal attracts around 300,000 domestic and international tourists annually.