4 years ago
Members of the International Relations Committee have accused the Department of Archeology of failing to focus on heritage conservation.
In the meeting of the International Relations Committee under the House of Representatives on Sunday regarding the work progress of the Department of Archeology for the current fiscal year and the action plan for the coming year, the committee members accused the department of not paying attention to heritage conservation.
During the meeting, committee member Narad Muni Rana said that there were disputes in many places over heritage reconstruction. He cautioned that the reconstruction work would not be completed in the next two years if the reconstruction work was as slow as it is now.
Similarly, another member Narayan Khadka said that the smuggling of cultural heritage was still going on. Khadka, accused the government for not paying attention to the protection of heritage from the national level.
Replying to the queries of the lawmakers at the meeting, Director General of the Department Damodar Gautam said that continuous work was being carried out on other projects except some for the protection of historical and archeological heritage due to COVID-19.
He said that out of 920 properties in 31 districts affected by the quake, 410 properties have been reconstructed so far. During the meeting, Committee Chairperson Pavitra Niraula informed that Rs. 1 billion has been allocated from the Reconstruction Authority for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of heritage and monuments for the coming fiscal year.
The Department of Archeology has put forward a plan to maintain and rebuild more than 200 monuments in the coming fiscal year.
