Heritage Destruction
Twenty years ago this week, Nepali Times published an article about how Kathmandu Valley and Lumbini could be delisted by UNESCO if destruction was not stopped. Today, instead of saving what is left, urbanisation, unregulated construction and encroachment are undermining the cultural value of both places. Kathmandu Valley's historical cores are facing threats, and Lumbini is set on turning Buddha’s nativity site into a commercial complex.
Excerpt of the report published on issue #208 6-12 August 2004:
Kathmandu Valley's precious architectural heritage has been in danger ever since urban sprawl intruded upon its sacred spaces.The Valley was recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1979 by Unesco (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and it set aside seven sites: the three Durbar Squares at Hanuman Dhoka, Mangal Bazar and Bhaktapur, the stupas of Boudha and Swoyambhu and the temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. Outside the Valley, Unesco also declared Lumbini a sacred site that needed protection.Despite warnings, however, migration pressure and the effects of modernisation are just too relentless for government conservation agencies and the municipality to stop the erosion of Kathmandu Valley's architectural heritage. Saving Kathmandu's heritage needs more than just enforcing existing zoning laws and building parameters. It needs a revival of the ancient guthis and a new consciousness among individuals to value their heritage.
As a warning, Unesco last year put Kathmandu Valley's monument zones on the 'endangered list', which was a major embarrassment for the government. Now, it looks like Lumbini may follow suit for unchecked construction around the Maya Debi temple.
For archived material of Nepali Times of the past 20 years, site search: nepalitimes.com