Kailali: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has affirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the historic Garva Palace located in Kailali, alongside promoting the country’s linguistic and cultural diversities.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Pandey addressed concerns in a National Assembly session, highlighting that Garva Palace, situated in Chure rural municipality-4, Kailali, has been officially recognized as an archeological heritage site. This announcement came in response to queries from NA member Madan Kumari Shah (Garima) regarding the government’s strategy for conserving Garva Palace and bolstering tourism in Kanchanpur.
The Minister further informed that the Department of Archeology is currently conducting a detailed study following a field inspection of the site. A budget of Rs 400,000 has been proposed for the preparation of this documentation in the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83.
In response to NA member Mohammed Khalid’s concerns, Minister Pandey reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting linguistic and cultural diversity across the nation. He emphasized that Article 6 of the Constitution recognizes all mother tongues spoken in Nepal as national languages. The Language Commission, established under Article 287, is actively engaged in their protection, study, research, and promotion.
The National Census 2078 BS (2021) identified a total of 124 languages in Nepal, with 93 of these languages, approximately 75 percent, being associated with indigenous communities. Minister Pandey assured that the government remains dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and promotion of these languages, with policies and programs prioritizing the protection of language and culture.