Kathmandu, June 1:

The Cabinet yesterday adopted the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) to expedite conservation works in the seven World Heritage Site monuments in Kathmandu Valley, which now have been enlisted as monuments in danger.

With this approval, the chance of the seven monuments being removed from list of monuments in danger has increased. Earlier, the document had been approved by the Special Parliamentary Committee yesterday.

It was necessary for Nepal to adopt the IMP by June 1.

Rajesh Mathema, chief archaeologist of Department of Archaeology (DoA), said: “The UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee (WHC) had made a mandatory provision for Nepal that she adopt the IMP to have the status of monuments in danger reviewed in the 31st session of WHC taking place in New Zealand from June 23.”

He said other conservation works are satisfactory and adoption of the IMP has amplified the chance that the status will be removed.

The IMP was prepared by the DoA in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and UNESCO-Kathmandu office. The document has assessed the current situation and require that municipalities and agencies engaged in conservation of the monuments make appropriate decisions for conservation works.

Mathema said: “We were unable to manage the conservation programmes due to the lack of coordination between the agencies and bodies involved in it, but the IMP binds every organisation into one and helps develop cooperation.”

He said the IMP focuses on making a coherent technical advice to the local population as well to generate local participation in the conservation programme.

The IMP has provided appropriate monitoring measures to improve implementation of conservation policy. According to Mathema, an eleven member committee under his coordination has been formed to implement the IMP.