The Government of Nepal has initiated the process for the first time inventory of intangible cultural heritage in the country. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has issued specific procedures to commence this listing and is also in the process of drafting legislation related to intangible cultural heritage.
Dr. Suresh Suraj Shrestha, Head of the Cultural Division of the Ministry, has announced a call for applications for this inaugural listing, marking Nepal’s initial effort to present such heritage to UNESCO.
According to UNESCO’s 2003 Convention, intangible cultural heritage should be inventoried; however, Nepal has not yet undertaken this task, with only tangible heritage currently listed on the World Heritage List. Dr. Shrestha stated, “Even if we haven’t managed to do it internationally, let’s start in Nepal. This will serve as a significant foundation for presenting to UNESCO; it’s a preliminary practice for that purpose.”
The Ministry’s Cultural Division has issued the “Intangible Cultural Heritage (Inventory and Management) Procedure 2081” and is accepting applications for listing until the end of Baisakh 2082 (mid-May 2025).
The procedure defines intangible cultural heritage as oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festivals, knowledge related to nature and the universe, traditional craftsmanship, production skills and technologies, traditional games, culinary skills, attire, and jewelry-related knowledge, as well as heritage practices and sites associated with these elements.
The primary objectives are to inform the public about these heritages, ensure their protection and development, guarantee respect from related individuals, groups, or communities, and maintain records by listing them in the national inventory. Additionally, it aims to encourage listing and promote the protection and management of such heritage post-listing.
Both federal and provincial ministries, as well as local bodies, can list such heritage within their jurisdictions. For listing, the heritage must be related to the identity of the concerned community, have the consent of individuals, groups, and communities, be an integral part of their lives, have been continuously practiced with a commitment to transmission, and be under serious threat requiring immediate protection.
Applications for listing should include complete details of the heritage, as specified in Schedule 4 of the procedure, along with photos, audio, and video materials as outlined in Schedule 3. Necessary details regarding transmission, recommendations from the local level, and proof of local listing, if applicable, should also be included. A committee formed by the Ministry will evaluate the applications.
This committee, led by an expert appointed by the Ministry, will include representatives from the Indigenous Nationalities Commission, National Inclusion Commission, National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, the Head of the Department of Nepalese History, Culture, and Archaeology at Tribhuvan University, a heritage expert nominated by the Ministry, and the Head of the Ministry’s Culture Division as member secretary.
The evaluation committee can consult subject matter experts as needed and must submit its recommendations to the recommendation committee within 45 days. The recommendation committee, chaired by the Head of the Cultural Division, will include representatives from the Language Commission, Nepal Academy, Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Nepal Academy of Music and Drama, National Archives, Department of Archaeology, National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, Cultural Corporation, and Guthi Corporation, with the Head of the Ministry’s Culture Section as member secretary.
After completing the process, the Ministry will announce the listed cultural heritage. All details will be available on the Ministry’s website. Shivaraj Regmi, a former head of the Cultural Division, mentioned that the process of enacting legislation related to heritage is also underway. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining records, which has led to this first-time listing effort.
Devendra Kumar Kafle, Member Secretary of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, highlighted that due to the absence of such a listing, many heritages have already disappeared or are on the verge of extinction, making the Ministry’s initiative significant. He also stressed the need to protect and list many such heritages in the field of art.
