Headlines
90 percent of Kathmandu's heritage sites damaged
90
percent of Kathmandu's heritage sites damaged
Kathmandu, May3 Ninety percent of the ancient heritage of
Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur has been damaged in last week's devastating
earthquake and it will take at least seven to 10 years to rebuild it, according
to Nepal's Department of Archaeology.
These ancient heritage sites and monuments were major attractions of the three
cities with classic architecture and rare style, holding historic importance.
Known as the city of temples, Kathmandu lost its old glory like the century-old
Basantapur Durbar and nine-storey Darahara tower. Several religious places like
Pashupati Nath temple premises and Swayambhunath area also suffered damage.
Old monuments, temples and heritage structures in Durbar Suqares in Kathmandu,
Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, where the kings in ancient times used to live, were
either destroyed or partially damaged.
Director General of Department of Archaeology Bhesh Narayan Dahal said that
dozens of temples and palaces were destroyed in the quake.
"We lost the glory of Kathmandu Valley built by our ancestors," he
said, adding that the department has started identifying the status of all
monuments, heritage sites, temples and other ancient architecture and to mark
them.
Similar damage may have taken place outside Kathmandu and that is why "we
have already sent a fact finding team to various districts," he added.
Though the department has concluded that 90 percent of Kathmandu's ancient
heritage has been destroyed or damaged, it has not yet ascertained how much
will it cost to rebuild it.
Some heritage buildings and monuments need immediate repair as they pose threat
to people and there are chances of losing all glory if they collapsed, he said.
Some countries like India and aid agencies have expressed their desire to
rebuild Nepal's heritage, but the government is yet to accept the offer.
Over 100 such ancient structures in some old settlements of Kathmandu like
Tokha and Shakhu have suffered huge damage.
Ancient art, culture and tradition can be found alive in and around these
heritage sites and ancient settlements of indigenous Newar community, which is
a dominant population of Kathmandu.