Cracks in history

ANKIT ADHIKARI

SEP 04

It comes as no surprise to hear Prakash Darnal, an archaeologist with the Department of Archaeology, say that the only monuments that seem to interest renovation projects are those around the three Durbar Squares of Patan, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. After all, dilapidated temples and monuments with moss on the walls and ugly, greyish cracks are not an uncommon sight within the Capital’s lanes. Still, Darnal’s admission comes as a final blow on what was once affectionately called the City of Temples.

Yes, there are renovation projects underway that seek to restore the glory of these cultural relics, but like Darnal says, most of them are restricted to popular tourist sites. And that is where the problem lies: government departments and private organisations working towards renovation tend to ignore lesser-known monuments.

“Many temples and other brilliant masterpieces of history have been abandoned,” Darnal says, “While a few are being preserved, hundreds of other equally-important monuments such as the ghat adjoining Teku and Thapathali, the ghat of Sankhamul, Sundari ghat, the temple of Bhimsen in Gokarna and the idol of Bishnu Bikranta at Tilganga have been neglected.”

Darnal’s list is an off-the-cuff list that does not include many structures that are in dire need of repair. He says a project is initiated only after local communities file an application for the renovation. “Government departments and organisations should be more active in identifying and renovating monuments to solve this problem.”

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) office, under the supervision of the DoA, does renovate historical sites in Kathmandu only after a community files an application. Even then, locals have to bear a portion of the costs. “Locals bear anywhere between 30 to 40 percent of the costs,” says Dipesh Singh, heritage department official at the KMC office. But, “KMC bears the whole cost where local communities are unable to afford the renovations.” Singh gives the example of the undergoing restoration of Naxal Bhagwati, where locals have put in up to 40 percent of the costs.

The three municipalities within the Valley have an annual budget of Rs. 20 to 30 million each earmarked for restoration. Bhaktapur and Patan too involve themselves only after local communities apply for a project, and in both the municipalities, communities have to bear a portion of the costs. “With Nepal Tourism Year 2011 approaching, we have been renovating the major temples surrounding Durbar Square,” says Bindu Prasad Guragain, Chief Executive Officer of Bhaktapur Municipality.

There are private organisations like the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) that conducts renovation projects, but these are restricted to popular tourist spots as well. “We have been renovating the temples around Mangal Bazaar,” says Raju Roka, KVPT Manager. “Renovations in Sundari Chowk and the water spout of Tusa Hiti are underway under the US$86,000 grant provided by the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservations.” Roka says though they currently only renovate monuments inside Patan, they are looking to restore more across the Valley once they get sufficient funding.

According to social entrepreneur Anil Chitrakar, the popularity of the Durbar Squares is the sole reason why these areas are prioritised. As these areas are also the main sources for revenue collection, organisations focus more on them. “It would be better if the revenue collected from these places could be utilised in the conservation of other areas,” he said. “But factors like corruption and unwillingness to preserve history are gradually degrading our historical identity.”

Darnal believes the lackadaisical approach by the government in recognising monuments of cultural importance has led to the current state of affairs. “Responsible organisations should not wait for applications to conduct renovation projects. At the same time, the government should allocate adequate budget and form strong policies for the restoration of historical sites.”

Chitrakar believes what is needed is a public-private partnership that involves local communities. “A nexus needs to be built among the government bodies and private organisations as well as local communities to run a heritage protection campaign in the Valley. The involvement of the local communities helps ensure that the preservation of such sites is sustainable.”

Published in The Kathmandu Post -- September 5