Bhaktapur,1 March 2015: The locals have implored the concerned authorities to protect the historic Changunarayan Temple located within the UNESCO’s one of two World Heritage Sites of the country, which is now at risk of possible landslide.
The unabated excavation of sand and soil from the surrounding areas of the temple located on a hilltop has put the historic temple itself in a danger, locals said.
At a programme held by Changunarayan Municipality here, Nepali Congress Bhaktapur-1 President and social worker Krishnalal Bhandel demanded protecting the Changunarayan Temple. He said the authorities had neglected repeated calls for protection of the temple and that if more delay was caused it could put the temple in jeopardy.
The excavation of sand, soil and land taking place at the surrounding base of the hill, below 200 metres from the temple located at the top, has put the temple at a high risk. Few years ago the locals had demanded a halt to excavations taking place around the hill.
At the northern part of the temple lies the Manohara River while at the South-Western corner there is a sand and soil mine.
Municipality’s Executive Official Prahlad Prasad Pudasaini said a representative from UNESCO, who had inspected the site, had also noticed the temple was at a greater risk and it was subsiding in its foundation.
He added that the municipality was taking necessary steps to protect the temple while urging all concerned stakeholders to take bid fromt heir end.
Source:RSS
