Local residents of Pashupati Areas and heritage conservationists have launched the protest programs against the newly prepared master plan of Pashupati area DEVELOPMENT. They said that the master plan was prepared without study and consultations with stakeholders. They argue that the plan will hurt the sentiments of people who believe in the culture, religious and heritage value of Pashupati Area.

Meanwhile, The Ministry of Culture on Sunday decided to temporarily halt the plan to implement the fourth master plan for the overall development of Pashupatinath Temple and its surrounding areas, one of the seven UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley.

The move follows the criticism from the concerned stakeholders, including the residents of the areas, as the master plan has proposed demolishing some residential houses around its surrounding to build other structures for the use of pilgrims and visitors.

The ministry has formed a three-member team that include Pradeep Koirala and Kamal Bhattarai, joint secretaries at the ministry, and Damodar Gautam, director general of the Archaeological Department. The panel has been given a month to submit the report.