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Nepal adopts plan to expedite heritage conservation works

Sunday, 3 June 2007


KATHMANDU, June 2 (Xinhua): The Nepali government has adopted the integrated management plan (IMP) to expedite conservation works in the seven world heritage site monuments in the capital Kathmandu Valley, which now have been enlisted as monuments in danger, The Himalayan Times reported today.
With this approval, the chance of the seven monuments being removed from list of monuments in danger has increased, reported the daily.
Earlier, the document had been approved by the special parliamentary committee Friday.
It was necessary for Nepal to adopt the IMP by June 1.  Rajesh Mathema, chief archaeologist of Department of Archaeology (DoA), said, "The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee (WHC) had made a mandatory provision for Nepal that it 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.