Threats to
Kathmandu Durbar square, a World Heritage Site 1
Running head: THREATS TO KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE, WORLD HERITAGE
SITE
Threats to Kathmandu Durbar square, a World Heritage site
Saroj Gartaula
Mountain State University
Beckley, WV
2008
Threats to Kathmandu Durbar square, a World Heritage Site 2
Abstract
The Kathmandu Durbar Square is an ancient cultural heritage site of the Kathmandu Valley,
Nepal. Along with two other cultural heritage sites- Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar
Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square holds profound historic background. The Malla Dynasty had
ruled these three cities about in seventeen century. All the temples and holy shrines were built by
Malla Dynasty. By looking and observing the monuments, we can imagine craftsmanship of
Malla Dynasty in art and architecture. So, it is our prime responsibility to preserve our
cultural heritages so that we can remember our ancestors . And at the same time, it is our duty to
conserve these heritages for our future generations. Because our identity is our cultural
heritages. With cultural heritages saved, we can define our individuality and uniqueness to the
whole world. That’s why the core objective of this paper is to convey the message to all the
Nepali people to save and preserve our cultural heritages.
Threats to Kathmandu Durbar square, a World Heritage Site 3
Threats to Kathmandu Durbar square, a World Heritage Site
Listed under the world heritage in 1979, the Kathmandu Durbar Square, now Hanuman
Durbar Square, is one of the ancient Newari cities in the Kathmandu Valley. But in July 1993,
UNESCO inventoried Kathmandu Durbar Square under the endangered cultural site.
This site is rich in Malla Dynasty architecture and craftsmanship. Most of the temples and
monuments of Hindu deities were built in the period of Malla Dynasty. The site holds antique
houses around its periphery. But now the site is losing its ancient and historic look day by day.
UNESCO says that the Kathmandu Durbar Square was threatened by uncontrolled urbanization,
by which the shape and construction of the temples and monuments were affected.
Pic: Writer
Threats to Kathmandu Durbar square, a World Heritage Site 4
In June 2007, UNESCO, saying that Kathmandu Durbar Square has improved in its
management and policies to keep the site historic and cultural, removed Kathmandu Durbar
Square along with other seven historic monuments of the Kathmandu Valley from the list of
endangered sites. Prithivi Subba Gurung, then Nepalese Minister for Culture, welcomes the
decision of UNESCO and says that this step of UNESCO has persuaded to preserve the cultural
and historic sites. He further says that Nepali government would initiate strong steps to conserve
all other heritage sites.
Though the UNESCO removed Kathmandu Durbar Square from the list of endangered site,
the government of Nepal has not done its duty with a dedicated heart. But this does not mean
that the government of Nepal has done nothing at all. In fact, it started re-constructions of old
and damaged temples and monuments and has made law that every foreign visitors must pay fees
for the entry to the Durbar Square. And this has made Durbar Square economically strong.
But still Kathmandu Durbar Square needs many things to do ahead. First of all, Kathmandu
Metropolitan must stop the vehicles running within the premises of the Durbar Square.
It is matter of surprise that why Kathmandu Metropolitan is still giving permission to run the
vehicles within and around the Durbar Square, as the site once had been listed under endangered
site. The harmful smokes and sound of vehicles degrade the cultural look and beauty of ancient
monuments.
Threats to Kathmandu Durbar square, a World Heritage Site 5
Pic: Writer
Different clubs and organizations organize concerts and social events within the Durbar
Square. Though such clubs and organizations are aware of the adverse impacts of such activities,
they do not stop organizing such actions. The loud sound of musical instruments and over crowd
of the people destroy the cultural environment of the site.
Small opened shops and free street markets at the night time are the core attraction of the
people. And sometimes there occurs quarrel among the Kathmandu Metropolitan, business
people-those who have street shops, and local residents. It is matter of shyness that people
quarrel within the compound of world heritage. Instead of protecting the heritage, the people are
keen to destroy its beauty.
Here at this point, it is remarkable to remember what the Nepalese Minister for Culture said
when UNESCO removed the Kathmandu Durbar Square from the list of endangered site. Only
re-constructing old temples and monuments does not mean that the responsibilities of the
government is fulfilled. It should be the prime obligation of the government to check every
activity about what is going on within the property of the Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Besides, it is also the responsibility of the every citizen to save and conserve the ancient
temples and shrines. But the people overlook this fact. Every citizen should and must realize
this fact.
Threats to Kathmandu Durbar square, a World Heritage Site 6
References
Phuyal, S. (2007). UN rules Nepal monuments now safe. Retrieved June 26, 2007,
from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6241640.stm
Royal Palaces of Abomey and Kathmandu removed from Danger List. Retrieved June 25, 2007,
from http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/356
21st Session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee, 23-28 june 1997. Retrieved June
28, 1997, from http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/137
