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April 26, 2016

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Work starts on quake-hit key heritage Nepal sites

NEPAL’S government yesterday announced the start of reconstruction of key heritage sites in and around the capital Kathmandu that were damaged by an earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and devastated the country one year ago.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli offered prayers at the 17th century white-walled temple Anantapur, which was damaged in the magnitude 7.8 quake on April 25, 2015, along with more than 600 other historic structures. More than half a million homes were also destroyed, but hardly any have been rebuilt.

Nepal has been criticized for delays in reconstruction — largely due to bureaucratic bungling — of its historic structures and residents’ homes despite foreign donors pledging US$4.1 billion toward that end. Aid groups have demanded that authorities speed up the process and change some of the laws that have become obstacles.

Oli said yesterday work would begin on rebuilding the temple and three other heritage sites in Kathmandu, including the old palaces and temples at Durbar Square, and key sites in the cities of Patan and Bhaktapur.

Anantpur is one of the small Buddhist temples, stupas and monasteries surrounding the 5th-century hilltop shrine of Swayambhunath that lies in ruins. The site is also called the “monkey shrine” for the thousands of monkeys that congregate on the spot at the northwest edge of Kathmandu. It is listed among the UNESCO heritage sites.

The prime minister said the work would progress swiftly, adding it was a huge task that would require time.


 

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