The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has intensified efforts to preserve and reconstruct cultural heritage sites damaged by the 2015 earthquake. According to the ministry, a total of 27 out of the 25 targeted cultural heritage sites have been successfully reconstructed by the end of Poush this fiscal year. The ongoing restoration initiatives span various districts including Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok, and Dolakha, with 13 of the 24 monasteries set for reconstruction in the previous fiscal year already completed.
Ramkrishna Lamichhane, the ministry’s under-secretary, reported that as part of the Archaeological Site Preservation Program, continuous work has been carried out on numerous sites. The ministry had planned to complete conservation work on 20 sites in the fiscal year 2080/081, but has already exceeded expectations by completing conservation efforts on 40 sites.
In line with the current fiscal year’s policies and budget, the ministry is also advancing the development of “Eco Hill Stations” as part of efforts to promote sustainable tourism. The conceptual proposal for the Takura tourism destination, which includes entertainment infrastructure, has been prepared, and the site selection process is underway. Lamichhane further noted that the ministry has completed safety inspections of three airlines related to operational standards.
The ministry has also made significant progress in the preservation of historical records. Out of the 50,000 pages planned for collection, cataloging, and scientific chemical and physical conservation, 10,000 pages have already been managed successfully.
Additionally, in the Simrongadh region, the ministry continues its preservation efforts by issuing tenders and evaluating proposals for further conservation work. Lamichhane provided an update on the Lumbini Guru Plan, stating that 68% of the road network and related construction in the eastern monastery area have been completed. The cultural center in Lumbini and the electrification of related areas have reached 84% completion, marking significant progress in the area’s infrastructure development.
These ongoing projects highlight the ministry’s commitment to both preserving Nepal’s cultural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism for future generations.
