Heritage Reconstruction

For any society, cultural heritage carries significance because it reflects collective consciousness, shared culture and values. It connects the present with the past and inspires the future. It can be categorised into tangible and intangible. Monuments, artworks, artefacts and historical sites provide insight into the ancestors' lifestyle, habits, deeds, feats and success. Similarly, ancient tales, performing arts, history books, and conventions signify the forbearers' consciousness, knowledge, and skills. Thus, heritage stands for dignity, identity and a sense of belonging for the people. Despite the huge importance of heritage, formidable challenges persist in preserving it. Natural disasters, fire, political upheavals, negligence, and disregard lead to the damage and loss of heritage. 

Nepal has endured major and minor earthquakes in the past century. The big tremors that shook the country in 1934 and 2015 caused huge losses of lives and properties and destroyed a large number of cultural and historical sites. However, reconstruction of damaged heritage sites is still going on. The construction of the 700-year-old Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, which was knocked down by the 1934 earthquake, was completed last week. Scores of other temples destroyed in the same year have been recently constructed and repaired. However, many other temples and religious sites destroyed 91 years ago are still under construction. This shows an inordinate delay, a lack of understanding of heritage and a sense of apathy towards the allocation of the budget for it.

The damage caused by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake a decade ago was humongous. Over 9000 people lost their lives, while thousands of structures, including private houses, schools, hospitals, historical monuments and religious sites were razed to the ground. Many cracked buildings are still standing with the support of propping. The centuries-old structures in the Kathmandu Valley's three Durbar Squares are still under renovation and reconstruction. The reconstruction of historic Nautale Durbar (Nine-Story Palace) has been completed and recently opened to the public. The Rato Machhindranath Temple in Bungamati, Lalitpur, is also nearing completion. Although the construction of Kasthamandap has been completed, it has not been in operation owing to controversy. 

Of the total 920 heritage sites damaged/destroyed in the quake, 815 have been reconstructed, according to a news report of this daily. Around 88 per cent physical progress of iconic Dharahara, also known as Bhimsen Tower, has been made with around Rs. 2.93 billion already spent. Authorities at the Department of Archaeology (DoA) have lamented that the lack of budget has delayed the construction of the remaining temples and monasteries. Around Rs. 4 billion has been estimated to construct them. Among the 174 heritage structures damaged in the World Heritage Sites across Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur, 134 have been reconstructed. The reconstruction of the remaining sites is expected to be completed by the upcoming fiscal year. 

In addition to the adequate budget, skilled manpower and special wooden logs are necessary to rebuild heritage structures. The government's approach to constructing heritage sites through tender bids and donor agencies has drawn flak from heritage activists. It is true that the participation of locals in their construction fosters a sense of ownership and lowers their cost. Reconstruction work in the Bhaktapur district is considered successful because of the active involvement of the local community. Similarly, it is prudent to balance economic development and heritage protection. Public awareness is equally important to preserve the heritage sites that not only promote inherent social values but also bring economic benefits to the community and country.