With authorities’ apathy, reconstruction puts the World Heritage site in Kathmandu at risk

After the 2015 earthquake, various stakeholders in Nepal stepped up efforts to rebuild the fallen heritage monuments across the country. One of the first areas to start restoration and rebuilding was Swayambhu , a UNESCO World Heritage area, where some of its vihars/bihars (monastic complexes) had been heavily damaged.

However, as the restoration work started, it was smeared in controversy. The first problem that started with the restoration was the use of concrete during the construction of a vihar. As Swayambhu is a UNESCO-certified World Heritage area, the use of concrete should have been prohibited. Instead of halting the work, the stakeholders covered the area so people could not see and carried on. The building was built and was inaugurated by parliamentarian Jeevan Ram Shrestha on April 26, 2021.