UNESCO concerned over Pashupati link road, says it will endanger the heritage site

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has expressed serious concern over the ongoing road construction through the forest area on the eastern side of the Pashupati Monument Zone, a place listed as the World Heritage Site, and said that it was inappropriate.

Issuing a statement, UNESCO's Kathmandu office said that the road construction through a World Heritage Site to link the Ring Road near Tilganga Hospital to the road past Guhehwori Temple near the Bagmati Water Treatment Plant would impact upon the authenticity and integrity of the Monument Zone, leading to loss of outstanding universal value.

"The road that passes through the middle of the forest to the east of the Bishworoop Temple will directly endanger the Bishworoop Temple complex by further aggravating the sandy topography and affecting the fragile ecology of the forest," UNESCO said.

Pashupati Monument Zone was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. UNESCO put it on the danger list in 2003 citing uncontrolled growth in its surrounding areas.

Only three months ago the World Heritage Committee had removed Kathmandu valley from its endangered list after the government of Nepal vowed to implement Integrated Management Plan. nepalnews.com ag Sep 12 07