The UNESCO has asked the DoA to shut the 400 meter-track of the road, which passes through the Sleshmantak forest, completely. Along with the road, the UNESCO wants detail information about the new crematorium that is in under construction in the Pashupatinath Temple. [break]
UNESCO has suggested the DoA to improve its design and position, especially with regard to the 30 m high chimney, which will have an adverse visual impact on the Pashupatinath Temple´s property.
“UNESCO has advised us to build a compound wall around the Pashupatinath Temple and increase plantation at Mirgasthali, or the deer park,” said Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director general at DoA. “They have sought details of our plans.”
According to Dahal, UNESCO is sending its representatives to Nepal in three months to see if the government has carried out works according to their suggestion.
“We have barely three months to meet the UNESCO´s suggestion,” said Dahal. “We will hold meeting as soon as possible with the officials of Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT). After our meeting, we will carry out building compound and plantation work but in order to block the road track completely we need help from the government because we tried several times but we could not succeed.”
In the 37th session of UNESCO held in Cambodia, Nepal was warned of taking the Pashupatinath Temple off the World Heritage Site list if the government fails to block the road track that passes through Shleshmantak Jungle.
“The main problem is the track through the Shlesmantak as the locals do not allow us to block the road,” said Dahal. “The government must help us in the matter because it´s not only about heritage site but also about the country´s prestige.”
The Pashupatinath Temple was listed in the UNESCO´s World Heritage Sites in October, 1979, along with six other monuments of Kathmandu.
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