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Treasure trove management faces hiccups

KATHMANDU, FEB 09 -
The plan of the Ministry of Culture (MoC) to display treasure trove unlocked at the Hanumandhoka Palace on June 27 by setting up a museum has faced budgetary hiccups.

According to MoC officials, a formal request made to the Ministry of Finance to provide the required sum has been turned down "for now", citing lack of resources.

A committee formed by the MoC to conduct studies and make recommendations regarding the possible utilisation of the treasury had proposed putting the antiques on public display in a separate museum. Nodding to the committee's proposal, the ministry had agreed to exhibit the antiques at Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum itself.

As per the committee's proposal, Rs 6.8 million will be required for the overall management of the treasury. Antiques making up over 200 kg of gold and silver jewelry also include primeval coins and weapons. A large portion of the treasure comprises jewelry worn by the old idols of deities. In the safes stumbled upon by workers at the Gaddi Baithak were found plates, bowls and traditional weapons of gold and silver.

MoC officials said that once the Finance Ministry releases the budget, 1,000 kg of other silver antiques found two decades ago in Hanumandhoka palace would also be put on display.

The jewelry has been kept at the Hanumandhoka palace under the protection of the Nepal army personnel. "We are amazed by the state's reluctance towards preserving these antiques," said Rajan Maharjan, a successor of the ancient Newar authority involved in the security of Hanumandhoka palace. "The state's apathy has already damaged a large section of the 1,000 kg antiques found in 1991. It looks the same fate awaits the treasure trove discovered last time."

Posted on: 2012-02-10 09:14

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