Non-Physical Cultural Heritage Bill to Protect Nepal’s Fading Traditions

Nepal’s Speaker of the House, Dol Prasad Aryal, has expressed confidence that the ‘Non-Physical Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Bill, 2081’ will provide a legal basis for the preservation, promotion, development, and transmission of the country’s non-physical cultural heritage.

Speaking at the ’44th Chinnalata Song Award’ dedication ceremony organized by the Chinnalata Song Award Guthi on Saturday, Aryal said the bill will protect and promote the unique traditions, knowledge, skills, arts, and cultural expressions of various ethnic groups, languages, religions, and communities.

The bill includes provisions for national and international listing, community participation, coordination between federal, provincial, and local governments, research, digital documentation, and preservation programs, Aryal explained.

The bill, currently under discussion in the parliamentary International Relations and Tourism Committee, also includes provisions for protecting the interests of related communities when using cultural heritage for commercial purposes, as well as legal action and penalties for violations.

Aryal expressed hope that the bill will contribute significantly to the preservation of endangered heritage, strengthening of cultural identity and national unity, laying the groundwork for UNESCO listing, and promoting cultural tourism, industry, and employment.