KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has made significant progress in rebuilding and preserving cultural heritage sites damaged by the earthquakes of 2015 and 2023.
By mid-January of the current fiscal year 2024/25, the Ministry had reconstructed and conserved 27 cultural heritage sites, exceeding its initial target of 25.
This marks a sharp improvement compared to the previous fiscal year, when only 13 of the planned 24 stupas were completed in districts like Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk, and Dolakha.
For fiscal year 2023/24, the Ministry initially aimed to complete 20 heritage conservation projects but achieved a total of 40 by the year’s end, showcasing a remarkable pace of progress, said Joint-Secretary Ramkrishna Lamichhane.
The Ministry has also outlined plans for developing eco-hill stations and tourism spots on hilltops, with the location selection process underway. Efforts to ensure airline safety standards continue, with three airline companies recently monitored for compliance.
In the preservation of historical documents, 10,000 pages out of a targeted 50,000 have been chemically preserved and cataloged. Similarly, conservation works in the Simraunagadh heritage area of Bara district are advancing, with bidding processes completed and contracts awarded.
Under the Lumbini Master Plan, infrastructure development has made notable strides. Electrification and road construction works at the cultural center are 84% complete, while the expansion of the road network toward the eastern side of Bihar State in India has reached 68% progress.
The Ministry’s comprehensive approach to heritage reconstruction and cultural preservation signals its commitment to safeguarding Nepal’s rich cultural history while advancing tourism development.
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