VOL. 27, NO. 23, February 15, 2007 (Falgun 03 2064 B.S.)

Having long experience of working in heritage and monument conservation, Dr. Shaphalya Amatya describes the importance of world heritage sites of Kathmandu

By A CORRESPONDENT

As Kathmandu valley has been passing through a phase of modernization with construction boom, its historically and culturally important monuments are under the threat of existence.

Although there are number of monument sites, which are declared as World Heritage sites, all of them have been struggling to survive. From Bouddhanath, a Buddhist Shrine in northeast part of Kathmandu valley, to Pashupati Area, all of them have been struggling from the onslaught of expanding concrete jungle. 

Despite warning from international agency like United Nations Education, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) not to allow the new construction around these sites, the government has failed to arrest it.  Due to this, UNESCO has already announced that it is considering revoking its decision to announce some areas as world heritage sites.

Having had a long association with monument conservation, Dr. Shaphalya Amatya knows ins and outs of the state of Nepalese heritage sites. As former chief of Archeological Department, Dr. Amatya was also involved in the negotiation process and identification of monument sites.

Thanks to the support of Eco-Himal, an Austria based INGO working in Nepal for quite a long time, the publication of this important and interesting book has become possible where one can read how the process of declaration of conservation sites begin.

"The World Heritage Sties of the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal- in the richly- illustrated volume comprehensively presented in cultural-historical perspective for the first time- deserve their place on the list for many reasons. They are true masterpieces of human creativity," said Kurt Luger, University of Salzburg, Austria and Chairman of Eco-Himal.

The preservation as well as management of these monuments is itself a big challenge when new flux of human mobility is moving from one place to another. "Those in charge of managing World Heritage Sites face a dual challenge: they must both market these treasures, and ensure their protection. Many managers see themselves primarily as guardians, and less as promoters of a tourism product," said Lurger whose organization has already made significant contribution to renovate the Garden of Dream in Keshar Mahal.  

There are more than 830 sites in 138 countries all over the world that are now inscribed on the World Heritage List. It includes seven sites in the valley including Pashupati Area, Bouddhanath, Swoyambhu, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhakatapur Durbar Square and Changu Narayan Temple.

All these monuments represent the masterpieces of human creativity and imagination. "For more than two decades, I had responsibility for heritage conservation in my country. In this book I have tried to document all those events and incidents, the sweet and sour experiences that I have faced in my long career. This should give the readers insights into the problems and sorrowful conditions of heritage conservation in Nepal, the Kathmandu valley in particular," writes the author.

Edited by Ms. Susan Hoivik, this book is divided into 11 different chapters. The book begins with the brief introduction of monument sites of the valley followed by the history of monument conservation in Nepal. Author Dr. Amatya describes areas of monument conservation including the conservation of Hanuman Dhoka, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swoyambhu, Bouddhanath, Pashupati and Changu Narayan. He also discusses the restoration of Keshar Mahal and Garden of Dreams.