Kathmandu, September 2

A five-day international conference on post-disaster cultural heritage conservation in South Asia region is beginning in Kathmandu tomorrow.

Spokesperson at the department, Ram Bahadur Kunbar informed that a framework on post-disaster heritage conservation will be developed during the conference. Speaking to The Himalayan Times, Kunbar said, “As many of our heritage monuments are being reconstructed following the April 15, 2015 earthquakes, the post-disaster heritage conservation discussion will help us bring our damaged heritage monuments back to their original forms. Besides, the conference will develop a comprehensive framework on post-disaster heritage reconstruction.”

Former director general at the department Kosh Prasad Acharya said working papers based on post-disaster heritage protection and heritage at risk due to rapid pace of development will be presented by national and international experts during the conference.

Described as first of its kind, the conclave is being organised by the Department of Archaeology, UNESCO Kathmandu Office and University of Stirling in UK,  in support of Art and Humanities Research Council in UK, with participants from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK.

So far, the government has rebuilt more than 20 heritage monuments, which were damaged during the earthquakes, in Kathmandu Valley. A total of 700 cultural monuments were damaged in the earthquakes.

According to the department, Lohadega; Shiva Mandir, Laxmi Mandir and Natyaswor temple in Hanumandhoka Durbar Square; Swet Bhairav, roof of Taleju Bhawani in Nagarjun; Boudhanath Stupa; Kashi Bishseswor temple; and Rameshwor temple, Badri Narayan temple and three other Nayaran temples in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, among other heritage monuments have been rebuilt.

The World Heritage Committee had earlier noted that all seven monument zones suffered extensive damage from the earthquakes that resulted in adverse impacts on attributes, authenticity, integrity and management of the property.