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Pashupati Area
Towards
Development
According to the proposed master plan, Pashupati
Area has been divided into three regions and
subsequent sub-regions on the basis of its a)
religio-social significance, b) archaeological
significance c) physical state d) topography e)
present land use f) future land use and g) limits of
execution/co-ordination.
These are: A) Core Area B) Consonant Area C)
Continuum Area
Core Area
Mainly Pashupati and Guheswori temples’ main
quadrangles as well as those areas which are
associated with these temples’ religious, social and
geographical forms fall in this core area. Guheswori
Area is pressure-free from environmental perspective
in comparison to Pashupati Core Area, which was
subject to extreme pressure of uncontrolled
construction, commercialization as well as
encroachment. The area was proposed to be kept free
from residential use and commercial use. The task
was, on the one hand, challenging from financial and
administrative view, and at the same time, it had to
abate the socio-cultural impact caused by relocating
people of this core area. After deep study,
investigation and analyzing public opinion, families
in the core area were divided in two groups. One,
those who culturally need to stay very close to the
Pashupati area and the other, those who are not. The
families of the first group was rehabilitated in the
Umakunda sub area which is very near to the core
area. The rest of the families were rehabilitated in
the Tilganga sub area. The core area will consist
only of structures which are religiously,
archeologically, historically and culturally
important and will be used for socio-culture and
religious activities.
Consonant Area
This area falls outside the core area. Countless
temples that fall in this area project an aesthetic
aura and impart spiritual peace on worshippers just
before they enter the core area. The steep
geological structure to the west, the high
plateau-like field to the north, and the rejuvenated
Bankali forest to the south give a sense of open
space. In the last couple of years, due to adverse
effects of urbanization, it is difficult to find
this place as it had been imagined.An attempt must
be made to contain these negative effects.
This sub area becomes more meaningful and effective
when viewed in conjunction with the core area. By
acting as a buffer, the consonant area shields the
core area from environmental externalities and
pollutants. This sub area also serves as a strong
shield for the holiest site. An integrated approach
has been taken to construct basic facilities like
water, drainage, road, communication and
landscaping. New facilities such as meditation
center, museum, security service, research centre,
cremation facilities, conference center etc.. have
also been proposed. This area is further subdivide
into thirteen sub areas.
Continuum Area
This is the remaining part of Pashupati Area that
falls outside of the consonant area. The religious
environment of the core area becomes progressively
sparse and diluted as it reaches the continuum area
through the consonant area. The main features of the
continuum area are as follows:
-
Gives one the impression of entering a sacred
ground before approaching the core area.
-
To
provide a permanent buffer to the core and
consonant areas.
-
To
absorb all religious and historical structures
of Pashupati Area, and to consolidate them so
that they can be better regulated.
-
To
control and regulate haphazard urbanization,
unregulated development work, and encroachment.
According to the plan, the continuum area is divided
into three parts. In first sub area, there is a plan
to construct heavy vehicle parking and a dharmashala
while the second sub area is proposed for the
resettlement of the families who’ve had to evacuate
from the consonant and core areas.
The third sub area (C3) is the remaining part of the
continuum area. There are several shrines,
monasteries, stupas, temples, open ground, lakes etc
which fall in this area. Most of their identities
are endangered by the growth of urban structures, a
natural result of rapid modernization in the Valley.
The Master Plan breaks down the execution of
proposed programme into three stages:
First
Phase
The first phase is a four year plan ranging from the
years 2002 to 2005 (2057/2058 to 2060/2061). This
stage mainly proposes:
-
To
stop the renovation work and other activity
that’s contrary to the approved master plan
-
To
overcome the encroachment of public places and
buildings besides preventing illegal
constructions.
-
To
keep the core area free from residential and
commercial activities.
-
To
acquire open land as planned in the plan
-
To
relocate the commercial activities in core area
e.g. souvenir and other shops.
-
To
rehabilitate the families in new locations as
directed by the Master Plan.
-
To
prioritize conservation of all dilapidated
temples and other important sattals.
-
To
construct or maintain infrastructures.
-
To
develop facilities for tourists and devotees
alike.
-
To
prepare a detailed plan of the land usage in the
whole preservation area
Second Phase
The second stage is a three-year plan from 2006 to
2008 (2061/62 to 2063/64). This stage mainly focuses
on:
-
Rebuilding the core area which was evacuated
according to plan in stage I.
-
To
prepare a detailed plan of each sub area
-
To
relocate the residential families from the
evacuated property to a more developed locatiom.
-
Conservation and preservation of monuments.
-
Improvement of physical infrastructure like
road, electricity and sanitation.
Third
Phase
The third phase is again a three-year plan from 2008
to 20010 (2064/65 to 2066/67). This phase mostly
consists of income generation programs, high tech
facilities and public participation related works.
The aim is also to garner support and help from
general public and devotees at the national and
international levels for the construction and
management of the various schemes drawn up in the
second phase.
Conclusion
The preparation of a Master Plan of an area has no
meaning if it is not executed properly. Besides
government and concerned organizations’ will to
implement efficiently, public participation and
interest are essential for its success.
Conservation Works in Pashupatinath
The philosophy of conservation adopted in the Master
Plan is a matter of great interest not only to
conservationists but also to the general public. In
general, conservation of heritage sites usually
means archeological conservation.
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