With support from international donors and locally-based foreign missions, KVPT has kicked off the reconstruction of the heritage sites which were devastated by two earthquakes of April 25 and May.

In a reception hosted by Erich Theophile and the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust, the organization highlighted how it responded to earthquake and what likely efforts should be for the preservation of the heritage sites.

Established in 1991, KVPT has been actively working in the preservation of valleys heritage sites. The organization mobilized large number of volunteers to manage the antiques which were buried in the destroyed temples in Patan.

“It gives me a great pleasure to welcome all of you this evening to honor our generous supporters from 1991 to present, which is over twenty years. During this time frame Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) has been involved in 55 heritage restoration projects,” said Pratima Pande, director of KVPT. “Kathmandu valley’s ancient and remarkable heritage sites were devastated by the April/May earthquakes that shook everybody to the core. I am happy and proud to say that only two sites restored by KVPT were damaged during the earthquake.” (See the statement, KVPT In Heritage Preservation)

At the program attended by ambassadors, experts and people of different walks of life, other speakers expressed the commitments that heritage of Kathmandu needs to be restored early as possible.

“I am very happy to say that we have been receiving generous support from U.S. Embassy, Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany, Japanese Embassy, Indian Embassy, UNESCO and other many liked minded donors and institutions.  Nepal Investment Bank has been supporting our effort,” said Theophile.

“Heritages are the asset of all the people. Although local people inject life on the heritage and temples, heritages have universal values,” said Kanak Mani Dixit, president of KVPT.

Although it is a small organization, KVPT has already renovated a number of temples and heritage sites of Kathmandu. After earthquake, KVPT’s expertise will be more valuable for reconstruction.

KVPT In Heritage Preservation

By PRATIMA PANDE

It gives me a great pleasure to welcome all of you this evening to honor our generous supporters from 1991 to present, which is twenty years. During this time frame Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) has been involved in 55 heritage restoration projects.

Kathmandu valley’s ancient and remarkable heritage sites were devastated by the April/May earthquakes that shook everybody to the core. I am happy and proud to say that only two sites restored by KVPT were damaged during the earthquake. Over the years, the KVPT has earned a good name for its quality work and excellent execution in heritage conservation and restoration, involving and restoration, involving our very own Nepalese craftsman. The meticulous supervision of Dr. Rohit Ranjitkar, the executive director of KVPT and his team is deeply appreciated. Quality work speaks for itself.

The April 2015 earthquake took the lives of nearly 10,000 people and destroyed the homes and heritage sites of the Nepali people. It was the most traumatic and sad time for all of us with over 400 which are still going on and has kept us in edge. Yesterday, I took two English friends to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, they were visibly shocked and saddened by the extent of devastation caused to these wonderful monuments.

I could see tears in their eyes. It’s going to take a lot of time and great effort to bring our damaged heritage sites back to their original form. Now, I would like to request Erich Theophile who has come all the way from USA to give a brief presentation of KVPT’s 2015 Earthquake Response. We thank him for taking time out from his busy work schedule in New York. All of us are aware of Eric’s love for Nepal; he has lived for fifteen years in this country. We sincerely recognize and deeply appreciate his commendable contribution to the cause of heritage restoration.

We also want to thank each one of you for being here today in support of KVPT’s Heritage and Conservation restoration works and agenda. Without your generous support this conservation work would not have happened.

(Pande is a director of KVPT. Excerpts of Pande’s statement delivered at a reception organized to honor supporters of KVPT since 1991 and KVPT’s 2015 Earthquake Response.)