Minister Poudel: All Three Tiers of Government to Manage Resources for Intangible Cultural Heritage

Kathmandu. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadakraj Poudel has stated that resources required for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage will be managed by all three tiers of government. 

Speaking at the theoretical discussion on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Bill, 2081, in the Committee for International Relations and Tourism under the House of Representatives, Minister Poudel said that the preservation of intangible heritage is everyone's responsibility. 

He mentioned that local levels will be actively involved in the identification, preservation, and listing of intangible heritage. He stated that since intangible cultural heritage is a matter spread across personal, family, community, and national levels, its preservation responsibility will also be divided according to those levels. 

While the state may not have a direct responsibility for preserving personal traditions, the local, provincial, and federal governments will participate as necessary in the preservation of heritage connected to national identity. He cited the example of the Machhindranath chariot procession, stating that the government has a responsibility to preserve cultural heritage of national importance. 

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Poudel said, 'Local levels will be more active in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, and the federal government will focus only on its listing.' He added that they will document what the local levels send. 

Clarifying the resource management, he further added, 'The state cannot manage resources for performing Shraddha. Local levels will manage resources for major festivals, fairs, and community-level events.'

According to him, intangible cultures occur at personal, family, community, national, and international levels, and resource management happens accordingly. 'Resources for family cultures are managed within the family; we have Kul Puja (clan worship), and there is no need for Karki to donate to the Kul Puja performed by Poudel,' he said, 'Resource management has been happening at the community level.'

Members of Parliament had raised questions about the resource management issue being included in the bill. In response, Minister Poudel stated that the provision for resource assurance can be made through regulations. He also urged the MPs not to create much controversy regarding the bill. He mentioned that the bill was discussed for a long time with experts in the National Assembly and urged them not to repeat the same discussion. At the meeting, MPs also questioned the name of the bill.