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BOOK REVIEW |
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BOOK REVIEW |
Heritage In Harm's Way Dr. Safalya Amatya surveys
the historical, cultural and religious richness of Kathmandu By A CORRESSPONDENT Kathmandu is known around the world for its rich historical and cultural heritage. But the valley is rapidly losing its quaint identity because of the onslaught of haphazard modernization. Over the last two decades, important world heritage sites have been endangered. At a time when the international community is pressing the government to take greater measures preserve its heritage sites, a noted cultural expert has attempted to underscore their importance of these monuments from a Nepalese perspective. Since 1979, when the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization declared Kathmandu Valley as a world heritage site, several efforts have been made to preserve its monuments. Lumbini, too, has been declared as a world heritage site. According to Dr. Safalya Amatya, there are many other Nepalese monuments and locations that could qualify as world heritage sites. Thimi, Nakdesh, Panauti, Nuwakot Palace, Gorkha Palace, Tilaurakot, Janaki Temple of Janakpur and Lomanthan of Mustang are among the prominent ones he cites. Although the country can easily campaign for their inclusion in the global heritage list, it would require great determination to preserve them. The experience of Kathmandu has shown that total political commitment is required to preserve such sites. Many monuments and locations are losing their identity because of official neglect. Amid rapid urbanization and population growth, preserving historical sites is a big challenge. The Baudha Nath Temple, which has been surrounded by a concrete jungle, is a case in point. The World Heritage Center and the World Heritage Committee have warned Nepalese officials that they would be compelled to withdraw recognition of these sites unless the government took urgent steps to preserve them. Despite such dire warnings, the destruction of old buildings and construction of concrete structures in and around important ancient monuments continue. The government introduced a building code in 1992, but officials are yet to firmly implement it. One can see clear violations of the code in different parts of the city. Although the government has been talking about a time-bound action plan to preserve the heritage sites in Kathmandu, it has been facing opposition from residents. In Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts, one can see haphazard construction activities going on in and around ancient temples and structures. Thanks to strong action of Bhaktapur Municipality, the heritage sites there are under stricter scrutiny. Kathmandu and Lalitpur Municipalities have also issued strictures, but the people are opposing them. In Boudhanath, the municipality had to stop its demolition drive following protests from the local people. As someone with extensive experience in the area of heritage preservation, Dr. Amatya has made a commendable effort in highlighting what is by all accounts a grim situation. A former director-general of the Department of Archaeology, Dr Amatya stresses the need to introduce an action plan to preserve the heritage sites in the valley. Since tourism remains one of the main sources of foreign currency, the ability of the country to preserve heritage sites that draw people from around the world will go on to determine the long-term economic prospects. World Heritage |
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