QUAKE-NEPAL/DURBAR SQUARE Nepal re-opens Kathmandu's quake-hit monuments to kick start tourism

Record ID: 151365

  • Title: QUAKE-NEPAL/DURBAR SQUARE Nepal re-opens Kathmandu's quake-hit monuments to kick start tourism
  • Date: 16th June 2015
  • Summary: KATHMANDU, NEPAL (JUNE 15, 2015) (REUTERS) DAMAGED BUILDINGS IN KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE PEOPLE WALKING IN KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE SCAFFOLDING COVERING THE MAIN GATE TO THE ANCIENT HANUMANDHOKA ROYAL PALACE FLAME FOR RELIGIOUS RITUAL MAN WALKING THROUGH MAIN GATE TO THE ANCIENT HANUMANDHOKA ROYAL PALACE OFFICIALS AND DIGNITARIES SITTING AND LISTENING TO SPEECH VARIOUS OF TO
  • Embargoed: 1st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nepal
  • Country: Nepal
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8SFN2VM6TARO1TTN90WD38G1O
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Nepal re-opened earthquake-damaged monuments at Kathmandu's Durbar Square on Tuesday (June 16), trying to draw visitors back to the Himalayan nation less than two months after two devastating tremors killed about 8,800 people.
    Hundreds of monuments at key heritage sites are now open for visitors across the country after the cash-strapped government opted to push ahead with their reopening despite cautionary statements issued by UNESCO last week.
    UNESCO advised visitors to the ruins to "reconsider the necessity of visiting those sites" because they were still in a "precarious" state.
    Jhalanath Khanal, the country's former Prime Minister spoke at an event opening Durbar Square in Kathmandu, one day after a similar event in Bhaktapur.
    "We have are at a stage of planning and executing restoration," said Jhalanath Khanal, the country's former Prime Minister.
    "Now the Tourism Board will pave the way for tourism (to be dealt with with) with more commitment, with more technical perfection and with more sincerity," added Tulsi Prasad Gautam, the director general of the Tourism Board.
    Bhesh Narayan Dahal, chief of the government's archaeology department, also stressed the historical importance of the monuments to Nepal in defending the decision to reopen so soon.
    He said many of the structures were now safe, and visitors would be required to wear safety helmets in places that might be insecure.
    "We will restore the damaged sites. These are the heritage sites of our glory; we will rebuild them. We are of the opinion that (tourists) should have the opportunity to see these (damaged monuments) as well. I believe this message is certainly for a good cause in the long run," he said.
    At least 743 monuments were damaged by the quakes that struck Nepal on April 25 and May 12, including centuries-old temples, monasteries and palaces listed as world heritage sites by UNESCO.
    After the first of the two earthquakes struck during the peak tourism season, thousands of visitors fled the country, leaving hotels empty and trekking companies without customers.
    Authorities quickly sealed the damaged monuments amid safety concerns and to protect thousands of intricately carved statues from being stolen from the rubble.
    Last week, the government said it would send international experts to study the geology of its mountains to assess if it was safe to open Mount Everest and other hiking trails to climbers and trekkers.
    Hundreds of climbers abandoned their attempt to scale Mount Everest this year after an avalanche triggered by the quake killed 18 people at base camp after the April 25 earthquake.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register