Re-proposal to add Gorkha and Lomanthang to the World Heritage List
POKHARA: AUGUST 30 – In 1996, Nepal proposed to UNESCO to include the Gorkha Durbar and the caves and architecture of the Muktinath Valley in the World Heritage List.
Twelve years later, in 2008, it was proposed that the Lomanthang Durbar area of Mustang be included in the list. UNESCO also repeatedly studied all three areas.
But‚ it has not been listed yet. The Gandaki government has again proposed to list the same properties. Apart from this, it has been decided to make necessary preparations to include the Tanahunsur Durbar area and the Kaligandaki area in the list.
A proposal on Lomanthang and Gorkha Durbar was raised in the meeting of the State Development Problem Solving Committee. After discussion, the committee decided to put it on the World Heritage List to propose in the meeting of the National Problem Solving Committee.
However, the proposed areas are slowly losing their identity. Modern houses have been built in the Lomanthang area. The old identity of the Gorkha Durbar, which collapsed due to the earthquake, is on the verge of disappearing. Even in Muktinath, the noise has increased due to the highway and the old culture is on the verge of disappearing.
Despite being recommended for inclusion in the World Heritage List, the government has not shown any interest in protecting those heritages. Due to climate change, the coastal area of Kaligandki is being destroyed by floods and landslides. Now, interest will be shown in conservation, said Kumar Khadka, spokesperson of the state government.
