Kathmandu Metropolitan City to Preserve and Promote Cultural Heritage

Kathmandu. Kathmandu Metropolitan City is going to give concrete shape to the concept of 'Cultural City: Prosperous Metropolis' by preserving, promoting, and developing the original and unique historical and cultural heritage within the Kathmandu Metropolitan area. This has been mentioned in the policy and program for the fiscal year 2083/084. 

'Kathmandu will be developed as an open and vibrant museum and a creative city. Historical, religious, archaeological, cultural, social importance of monasteries, temples, chaityas, dyochhen, baha-bahis, hitis, ponds, gompas, stupas, courtyards, nani, dabali, phulchoki etc. structures and heritage sites will be studied, digitally archived, named originally, mapped, repaired, renovated, reconstructed for preservation, conservation and promotion,' it is stated in the policy and program, 'An international level Kathmandu Film Festival will be organized by inviting foreign guests. To preserve, transfer, and revive original and traditional skills, arts, and knowledge, private and institutional buildings of historical, archaeological, cultural, and architectural importance will be encouraged for reconstruction and heritage settlements will be conserved.' 

The Metropolitan City has also decided to encourage the construction of facade buildings friendly to heritage along the routes of historical and cultural festivals including Indrajatra and Seto Machhindranath (Arya Avalokiteshwor) Jatra.

'To promote and develop tourism, homestays will be encouraged to operate in ancient settlements and cities,' it is stated in the policy and program, 'Efforts will be made to list intangible heritage such as local festivals, fairs, arts, culture, cuisine, traditional musical instruments, and music in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list through preservation and promotion.' 

The Metropolitan City has also mentioned in its policy and program that it will focus on maintaining environmental balance by restoring ponds and stone spouts (hitis) within the metropolitan area, collecting rainwater, and recharging groundwater. 

'Original and traditional folk arts, culinary arts, costumes, crafts, jewelry, festivals, literature, music, and natural heritages will be highlighted through films and developed and promoted as creative industries. Programs such as film festivals, traditional food festivals, expos, and exhibitions will be conducted,' it is stated, 'The Yen Deya Cultural Chhen constructed by Kathmandu Metropolitan City will be brought into operation.'

Additionally, necessary arrangements will be made for the construction of residences for the main deities, Shri Ganesh and Shri Bhairav, of the chariot procession of Indrajatra, which is famous internationally as an important festival of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City area.