Lo Manthang gearing up to be in UNESCO list

Kathmandu, Dec 23, Department of Archeology (DoA) has been making preparation to get Lo Manthang enlisted as another UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS). If DoA becomes successful in its endeavours, then the Lo Manthang will be the fifth site to get enlisted as the world heritage site. DoA has been gearing for getting Lo Manthang enlisted as UNESCO WHS, said Suresh Suras Shrestha, Officer at the DoA. There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) in Nepal. Of these, two are in the cultural category and two falls in the natural category. In cultural category fall the seven monuments of the Kathmandu Valley along with the Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Kathmandu Valley WHS comprises of three historical palaces of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, two Buddhist stupas-Swayambhu and Boudanath and two Hindu temples Pashupatinath and Changunarayan. All these monuments were designated as UNESCO world Heritage Sites in October 1979.   Lo Manthang, the capital of the former Kingdom of Lo was constructed in the 15th century on a plateau at 3800 meters above sea level. To be enlisted as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a site should meet several UNESCO guidelines, said DoA. DoA and UNESCO have been handling all affairs of WHS and managing the budget, Shrestah said. UNESCO does not provide all budgets, he informed. To prepare the report on Lo Manthang, DoA proposed UNESCO of Nepal to allocate sufficient budget. But due to lack of funds, UNESCO will provide only US 30,000 dollars during the first month of in 2012, Shrestha informed. "Study is under way and the process getting the enlistment will be initiated after the report is submitted in 2015-2017," said Damodar Gautam. The main monuments found within the walls are the palaces and monasteries of Jampa Lakhang and Thupchen Lakhan dating back to the 15th century and the monastery of Choede Lakhang from the 18th century. The area was restricted to foreigners till 1992 and today only a restricted number of tourists are allowed to visit the area, according to DoA.