KATHMANDU, JANUARY 28

Panauti, a historical, religious, cultural, and archaeological city in Kavrepalanchowk, has reached the final stage of being enlisted as a World Heritage Site.

According to the Panauti city administration, efforts to fulfill UNESCO's criteria for enlistment, especially in Ward No. 7 of Panauti, have entered the final phase. UNESCO proposed the area for inclusion in the list of World Heritage Sites, and all necessary processes preceding enlistment have reached their concluding stages.

Ram Sharan Bhandari, Mayor of Panauti municipality, stated that the required documentation would be submitted to UNESCO through the Department of Archaeology, as most of UNESCO's criteria have been met. Bhandari added that preparations are underway for local-level discussions on the community's ability to preserve the area.

Christian Manhurt, Head of the UNESCO Office in Nepal, conducted inspections of Panauti's historical, religious, and archaeological heritage sites after initiatives were initiated to include Panauti in the World Heritage Sites list in 2079 BS.

The Panauti municipality allocated necessary funds following Manhurt's communication with local representatives, indicating UNESCO's readiness to include shrines, temples, and houses with unique features in the list of World Heritage Sites.