Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pande, has announced that the government is actively working to enlist Tilaurakot of Kapilvastu and Panauti of Kavrepalanchowk districts as World Heritage Sites. This announcement was made during a programme organized by the Department of Museum on the occasion of International Museum Day.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Pande emphasized that the ministry is making significant preparations to include these culturally rich sites in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. He highlighted the potential of museums as key attractions for generating foreign currency and stressed the need for improved management and promotion of Nepal’s museums. Drawing a parallel with the Louvre Museum in France, he suggested that Nepal could attract tourists to view unique artifacts such as the Nrityadevi’s wooden image, which he described as the “Monalisa of Asia.”
The Minister also pointed out that Nepal’s historical heritage is represented globally, citing the presence of artifacts in the 700-year-old Heidelberg University of Germany. He inaugurated the reconstructed nine-storey Durbar at Basantapur Durbar Square, which was restored after the 2015 Earthquake. Additionally, he expressed his satisfaction with the skilled restoration of Kasthamandap to its original Lichhavi-era design. Minister Pande stressed the importance of preserving other ancient towns in the Kathmandu Valley, such as Handigaon, alongside the well-known Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.
Lawmaker Sapana Rajbhandari, also present at the event, noted that although the reconstruction of Kasthamandap had been completed years ago, it has yet to be opened to the public. She urged the ministry to take steps to facilitate its opening. The International Museum Day is celebrated annually on May 18, highlighting the importance of museums and cultural heritage globally.