Several cultural sites of the Kathmandu Valley damaged during the Gorkha earthquake are currently been assessed by the Department of Archaeology. Most of them are closed but a few are already open to the public.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday 26 May after a meeting, the Tourism Recovery Committee (TRC) said that Boudhanath, Budanilkantha and Pashupatinath have been declared safe by the Department of Archaeology.

Clearing the debris on Kathmandu Durbar Square. Pic: Bikram Rai

It has been decided to open more heritages sites of the Kathmandu Valley next month. Bhesh Dahal, director general of Department gave his approval for the opening of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square on 15 June.

Other strategies to bounce back tourism in Nepal were discussed during the meeting. Suresh Man Shrestha, Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said it was crucial to organise FAM trips for celebrities, tour operators and travel writers to Nepal. According to Shrestha, such initiatives would enable a better view of Nepal’s touristic potentials after 25 April.

Tourism officials also evoked different practices to restore the heritage sites that contributes to Nepal’s unique cultural identity.