Most quake-damaged heritage rebuilt but experts rue over quality of structures
Summary
Most quake-damaged heritage sites from the 2015 Gorkha earthquake have been rebuilt, but experts say reconstruction has often sacrificed original materials, traditional craftsmanship and authenticity. The Department of Archaeology says 825 of 920 damaged monuments have been reconstructed, even as funding and preservation concerns remain.
Key Points
- The 2015 Barpak-Gorkha earthquake damaged or destroyed 920 heritage sites across Nepal, with 825 reconstructed so far, according to the Department of Archaeology.
- Heritage experts say many reconstructions have relied too heavily on new materials, weakening authenticity and traditional craftsmanship.
- The Office of the Auditor General flagged weak verification of reused materials and cited issues in projects such as Yaksheshwor Temple.
- The Department of Archaeology says budget cuts are slowing remaining reconstruction work, while the historic remains of Dharahara and Sundhara still need proper conservation.
