The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has appointed nearly two dozen officials to various vacant positions in institutions operating under the ministry, making a significant administrative reshuffle aimed at strengthening governance in key cultural, religious, and heritage bodies.
According to the ministry, the appointments were made through ministerial decisions taken on Ashadh 17 and 18, filling long-vacant leadership and member positions across five important institutions under its jurisdiction. A press statement issued by ministry spokesperson and Under Secretary Gokarna Prasad Upadhyay stated that the appointments were made to ensure smooth functioning of institutions that had remained without office bearers for an extended period.
Seven Appointed to Pashupati Area Development Trust
The ministry has made seven appointments to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, including key leadership positions. Tirtha Prasad Shrestha has been appointed as Member Secretary, while Meena Kumari Shrestha has been named Treasurer of the trust.
Similarly, the newly appointed members of the trust include Kedarman Bhandari, Gangasagar Baniya, Sangita Kumari Ram, Rupa Shahi Bastola, and Ram Shobhit Nayak. The appointments are expected to strengthen management and operational responsibilities at one of Nepal’s most important religious and cultural institutions.
New Leadership Appointed to Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee
The ministry has also appointed Dr. Purushottam Bhattarai as Chairperson of the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee. Newly appointed committee members include Madhav Prasad Lamichhane, Siddhi Laxmi Byanjyankar, Surya Prasad Dhungel, and Netra Prasad Adhikari. The committee plays a significant role in determining Nepal’s official religious calendar and festival-related dates.
Boudhanath Area Development Committee Gets New Chairman and Members
In another major appointment, Sampurna Kumar Lama has been appointed Chairperson of the Boudhanath Area Development Committee. The newly appointed committee members include Bishal Lama, Nirbhikta Thing Lama, Senang Gyamzo Tamang, Roshan Kumar Shrestha, and Mani Bhadra Pokharel. The committee oversees the management and preservation of the Boudhanath Stupa, one of Nepal’s most important UNESCO-listed heritage sites and Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.
New Members Named to Patan and Hanumandhoka Museum Development Committees
The ministry has appointed Shobha Nani Shakya, Suprince Shakya, and Santaman Maharjan as members of the Patan Durbar Museum Development Committee. Likewise, appointments have been made to the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee, where Aalok Siddhi Tuladhar, Saraswati Rashmi Shakya, Mira Maharjan, and Birendra Bahadur Malla have been named as committee members.
Government Moves to Strengthen Cultural and Heritage Institutions
The latest appointments by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation are seen as part of the government’s broader effort to improve administration and strengthen institutional leadership in bodies responsible for managing Nepal’s religious, cultural, and heritage assets. Officials believe the appointments will help improve operational efficiency and ensure better management of some of Nepal’s most significant tourism, heritage, and cultural institutions.
