NATIONAL 9 (Spotlight Weelky)]

Preserving Heritage

Nepal Heritage Society (NHS) is making efforts to preserve the heritage of the country

By A CORRESPONDENT

As ancient heritage sites of Nepal are crying for proper attention, some organizations have been sincerely making efforts to preserve them.

From Sankhamul to Pashupati and from Bhaktapur to Patan and Kathmandu, almost all heritage sites are under the threat of ruin. Some of them have already disappeared while others are in the process of disappearing.

Over the years, hundreds of Nepalese traditional artifacts have been stolen from the country ending up in the private gallery or public museums of western countries while many such unique items are on the verge of ruin thanks to lack of attention.

Apart from the government's Department of Archaeology, some private organizations have been working to preserve the heritage sites from the ruin and to protect them.

Nepal Heritage Society (NHS) is one such organizations that is making efforts for preservation of the heritage sites. An oldest non-governmental organization working to preserve the heritage, NHS has been doing its best to provide different kinds of support.

NHS provided Rs. 100,000 to start the preservation work at Changunarayan Temple, one of the oldest heritage sites of the Kathmandu valley.

The donation, which will be used to build embankment in the area, was collected through the effort of the society's treasurer Pratima Rana. Apart from providing financial support in the areas of heritage preservation, the society also launches awareness campaign focusing the children of different age group.

One School One Heritage Campaign is of the popular programs launched by the society. The objective of the heritage campiagn is to encourage and assist schools to preserve and manage any heritage sites in its vicinity by mobilizing the students and the faculty.

According to a study, there are over 22,000 historic monuments in the Kathmandu valley. The society is planning to mobilize students of 200 existing high schools of Kathmandu valley.

"In all our programs, we have been receiving very positive response from different organizations including local municipalities and schools," Pandey said.

As ancient heritages are also under the threat of thefts, the society is encouraging the local watch group to take the initiative to prevent such thefts.

"Heritage are the property of the country. This is the reason, we need the support from government, local government, NGOs and local people," Pandey added.

Although the government has also been taking efforts to preserve heritages sites, they are few and far between. In an effort to preserve traditional heritage of the country, NHS has been taking many steps.

As Nepal's heritage sites are vulnerable, there needs to be more efforts from organizations like Nepal Heritage Society.

GULMI-ARGHAKHANCHI PROJECT
A New Mission

After the start of Gulmi Arghakhanchi Rural Development Project GARDP), many programs have already been launched to uplift the life of rural women in the region.

With an objective to facilitate women's involvement in decision making, income generating activities and higher level of literacy, the GARDP II has been taking the lead.

According to the project, more than 380 women from 13 VDCs of Gulmi district joined its literacy campaign who are now able to read and write after six months of classes last year.

This year more than 800 women from nine VDCs of Gulmi districts are participating in six month literacy classes. Women literacy is one of the key area of focus for GARDP II.

The project also launches the community health programs for mothers' group. It has already conducted community health care training in 14 VDCs where more than 350 women attended the class.

Besides the project also organized the health camps in Juang VDC of Gulmi district and offered the treatment for more than 600 patients.