Kathmandu: Nepal is set to reopen all the heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley to the public. This is for the first time that these sites are opening for tourists after the devastating earthquake occurred recently.
Prominent among those sites set to open are the historic Durbar squares or “noble courts”, which were badly damaged.
UNESCO has raised some concerns over the safety regarding the reopening of these sites. But as per the media reports, officials have taken necessary measures as required by those locations.
More than 8,000 people were killed and the destruction was totally widespread.
Shortly after the quake, UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova described damage to the Kathmandu valley as highly extensive and irreversible. The organization has also sent a team to the valley to assess the damage and monitor the situation.
Recently, UNESCO has issued a statement asking the public to be extra cautious at the sites and expressed its hope to reexamine the decision to reopen the damaged heritage sites. Meanwhile, officials have pointed out about the top security they have arranged. They said that tourists would be given guided tours while signboards are arranged to indicate specified routes and also to advice them not to cause any disturbances to the structures.
The Durbar square in the old city of Kathmandu is a mesh of palaces characterized with courtyards and temples. UNESCO calls it as the social, religious and urban focal point of the Nepalese capital. The UN has urged security perimeters to be put in place here.
UNESCO has said that the process of salvaging the artifacts at the Buddhist temple complex at the Swayambhunath temple complex found in the 5th Century is still ongoing. It is also believed that the reopening of the area could result the theft of art and cultural objects from the complex.
Video on the quake hit heritage sites in Nepal
