International Projects

Conservation of 12 Earthquake Affected Cultural Heritage Sites in Nepal

INTACH has been appointed by the Government of India for the implementation of the grant component of India’s post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites in Nepal.
The MOU was signed between INTACH and the Embassy of India in Kathmandu (Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India) on 12th December 2019 in Kathmandu.
INTACH’s scope of work is to provide complete service for conservation of the cultural sites including DPR preparation addressing post-earthquake condition assessment, identifying and preserving unique architectural heritage features, seismic strengthening of the buildings, as well as supervision and monitoring of the projects.
INTACH has set up the INTACH Nepal Office in Kathmandu at CLPIU (Building), Babar Mahal with a core technical team of architects, conservation architects and engineers.
10 project sites are currently being implemented under the technical supervision and expertise of INTACH.
As part of MoU with the Embassy of India under INTACH’s outreach activities, an international seminar on ‘Knowledge sharing on Conservation of Natural and Cultural heritage’ was conducted in the Indian Embassy premises on 22nd January 2023 and was attended by more than 75 participants from various organizations where experts from both countries presented. Mr. Nilabh Sinha (PD-MH), Mr. Manu Bhatnagar (PD-NH) and Mr. Benny Kuriakose presented Indian case studies. The seminar was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, Shri Sudan Kirati, Hon’ble Ms. Sushila Shreepali, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoS, MoCTCA), Government of Nepal and the Ambassador of India to Nepal H.E.Shri Naveen Srivastava.

For more information click on link https://goi-intachinnepal.org

Jesthavarna Project Site in March 2022

Seto Foundation work

Workshop at Nepal Bhasha Parishad, 10th August 2021

Launch of Website, 15th August

JPMC Meeting, presentation on 30th Sept 2022

Visit of JT Sec MEA to Seto Machindranath temple on 29th Sept.

Demonstration of Conservation Tools to Ambassador of India to Nepal by INTACH at EOI stall, ICNR, 8th Dec 2022

Site visits conducted by Dr. Benny Kuriakose

Lighting of lamp at Seminar by esteemed guests of honour

About the Initiative

India committed US$ 1 billion (US$ 250 million as grant and US$ 750 million as Concessional Line of Credit) for post-earthquake reconstruction of Nepal during the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction (ICNR) held in Kathmandu on 25 June 2015. An MOU was signed between the Government of Nepal (GoN) and Government of India (GoI) on Utilization of Grant Component of India’s Assistance Package for Post- Earthquake Reconstruction in Nepal on February 20, 2016. Reconstruction and rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage projects/sites in Nepal would be undertaken under this project. 28 such sites have been identified by GoN, with USD 50 million-grant assistance provided, including technical assistance/consultancy component, wherever needed.

INTACH has been appointed by GoI for Design and Project Management Consultancy services for the conservation works of 12 earthquake affected cultural heritage sites (including 11 sites in Kathmandu valley and 1 site in Solukhumbu) under India’s Grant Assistance in line with GoN’s Basic Guidelines and Manual for Conservation and Reconstruction of Heritage affected by 2015 earthquake. Under this engagement INTACH will provide complete end to end conservation of these sites as well as supervision and monitoring of the projects including preparation of their DPR that will address post-earthquake condition assessment, preservation of unique architectural heritage features and values, safety and seismic strengthening.

Signing of the MoU (12th December 2019)

The Signing of Partnership Agreement between Embassy of India in Nepal and INTACH took place on 12th December 2019 for the Design and Project Management Consultancy Services for Conservation Works.

The overarching aim of the MOU is to enable INTACH and MEA to work together in the area of mutual interest particularly in training, capacity building in terms of heritage conservation/reconstruction/rehabilitation of heritage sites affected by earthquake to Nepalese conservation professionals and to work towards redeveloping and rejuvenating the lost or damaged cultural heritage of Nepal.

Major sites selected for reconstruction under Indian grant assistance are lie in the Kathmandu valley, focal area during Gorkha earthquake. The 28 sites are spread across 8 districts of Nepal including: Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Sindhupalchwok, Solukhumbu,Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Bhakatpur. In the first phase of the project, 12 sites are selected. DPRs have already been prepared for majority of these sites by different organizations which will be by INTACH. The 12 project sites are:

Seto Machhindranath, Kathmandu
Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Lalitpur
Kumari Chhen , Lalitpur
Agam and Digi of Guita Bahi, Lalitpur
Napichandra Mahavihar, Lalitpur
Gopi Chandra Mahavihar, Lalitpur
Jestha Verna Mahavihar, Lalitpur
Nepal Bhasa Parishad, Kathmandu
Adalat Bhawan, Patan, Lalitpur
Jangam Math, Bhaktapur
Bhimsen Temple, Lalitpur
Namdorling Monastery, Solukhumbu

Publicity and Out Reach efforts

Hosting Nepal Government Representatives at INTACH Head Quarters, New Delhi (13th February 2020)

A group of 21 elected local government representatives from the 2015-quake-hit Nuwakot district of Nepal visited INTACH as part of their five-day exposure visit to India to learn about the country’s sustainable urban development and livelihood integration. The group including mayors, chairs, vice-chairs of eight rural municipalities and an official from the Federation of Nepalese Journalists began their trip under India’s post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Nepal in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS),

The visit aimed at building capacities of the key local stakeholders for ensuring earthquake-resilient reconstruction by raising community awareness about disaster management, recovery and resilience.

At INTACH they were shown a presentation on post-earthquake conservation and restoration works done by INTACH together with a guided tour around the different divisions of INTACH showcasing their work. The group was also taken to a nearby heritage site where they saw ongoing conservation works undertaken by INTACH Delhi Chapter.

Launch of Official Nepal Project Website

The official project website for Nepal cultural projects was launched by His Excellency Shri Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ambassador of India to Nepal on 15th August 2021. The event which took place as a part of our Independence day celebrations – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav for India @75 at the Embassy of India – Kathmandu. The launch was conducted by Principal Director of Architectural Heritage Division in presence 250 Diplomats and their families, Students of local schools and esteem guests of the Embassy. The Chairman, INTACH and CEO, National Reconstruction Authority (Govt. of Nepal) marked their presence through short testimonial videos. The event was web casted live on Facebook and had nearly 3000 viewers.

The website is developed keeping in mind the advanced and latest features in English and Nepali language. One can access 360 Panoramic Augmented Reality(AR) Images of all sites through augmented reality images through the website to provide an enhanced visual experience. The brochures and information panels are also made available in both languages for better dissemination. QR Code are provide which can be scanned for instant social media connect across various platforms. The website is aimed to be a tool for impactful social outreach through easy navigation and minimal look.

The website can be accessed at www.goi-intachinnepal.org

About the Projects

INTACH is providing technical expertise for the conservation of 12 cultural heritage sites project spread across the Kathmandu valley which includes tiered temple, Buddhist monasteries, a traditional house, a Hindu Math and a public building. This includes preparation of DPR according to their post-Earthquake condition assessment, acknowledging its unique architectural heritage features, addressing future safety, provide seismic strengthening, and supervision and monitoring of the project implementation.

The project sites include:

Seto Machhindranath Temple, Kathmandu
Hiranya Varna Mahavihar and Digi Chhen, Lalitpur
Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas, Lalitpur
Gusthal Bahi and Agam of Prathamashree Mahavihar, Lalitpur
Gopi Chandra Mahavihar, Lalitpur
Napichandra Mahavihar, Lalitpur
Jestha Verna Mahavihar, Lalitpur
Nepal Bhasa Parishad, Kathmandu
Jangam Math, Bhaktapur
Adalat Bhawan, Patan, Lalitpur
Bhimsen Temple, Patan, Lalitpur*
Namdorling Monastery, Solukhumbu*

*INTACH prepared only PPRs for the Bhimsen Temple and Namdorling Monastery.

Learn more about projects: https://goi-intachinnepal.org/about-the-project/

Project brochures can be accessed at shorturl.at/eisAG

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