The government has started rebuilding important archaeological and cultural heritage sites damaged by Gorkha Earthquake, especially the ones located inside Kathmandu Valley. 

The Department of Archaeology (DoA), with the support from various donor countries, development partners and local communities, has started the rebuilding works in 15 sites, including the Unesco World Heritage Sites from Kathmandu Valley, namely Basantapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bouddhanath and Swyambhunath, among others.

 The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on 25 April 2015 had damage around 800 archaeological and cultural heritage sites across the country. The DoA plans to rebuild and restore 145 damaged heritage sites. It has already started works in 49 sites. “We have started the rebuilding works of important sites that were damaged in the earthquake. We are also restoring  some of the structures that had suffered minor damage,” said Ram Kunwar, spokesperson at the DoA. 

Various governments, including China, India, Sri Lanka and the USA, have come forward to help rebuild and restore Nepal’s heritage sites. 

Last week, the US Embassy pledged $700,000 as part of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation to restore Gaddhi Baithak, one of the key components inside the Basantapur Durbar Square.

The DoA has also signed an agreement with the government of Sri Lanka to rebuild and restore the archaeological and cultural sites damaged in Bungmati along with Sywambhunath and Anandakuti Bihar. 

Likewise, China has pledged its support to restore Nautalle Durbar (nine-storey palace). India has also expressed its interest to support Nepal to rebuild the quake-damaged heritage sites.