Construction of concrete path at Pashupati decried

Kathmandu, September 6

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi and activists today urged Pashupati Area Development Trust officials not to build concrete path around Sleshmantak jungle in Pashupati area.

Pashupati area is a world heritage site and hence construction of any structure should follow heritage norms and archaeological principles.

Locals and rights activists have been decrying use of concrete in archaeologically important sites around Kathmandu valley.

Deputy Mayor Khadgi said, “Although local government cannot interfere in a national pride project, we as the guardian of the city ask Pashupati Area Development Trust officials not to carry out any activity that would cause irreversible damage to a heritage site.”

Responding to the deputy mayor, Pashupati Area Development Trust Executive Director Ramesh Upreti said they had already stopped construction of a concrete path. A concrete path from Sleshmantak jungle to Dhrubasthali is being constructed.

Sanjay Adhikari, an activist, said, “Government authorities are repeating the same mistakes over and over again. This is a sheer waste of taxpayers’ money.”