Towards managing cultural sites for sustenance of cultural landscape, the Culture Department has chosen six important cultural sites based on the cultural heritage values of the country.
This is in line with the draft Cultural Heritage Bill of Bhutan. The identified unique cultural sites and its management plans were revealed at workshop on ‘Management of cultural sites for cultural landscape sustenance,’ in the capital yesterday.
The six working groups of the department have identified unique cultural site in accordance with the cultural heritage bill. The sites were selected on pilot basis to see the relevancy of the provisions outlined in the bill. The sites are namely Buli Village in Zhemgang, Ramtoe in Samtse, Ura Doshi in Bumthang, Nabji in Trongsa, Gangtey and Rinchengang Village in Wangdue Phodrang.
“For example, Ramtoe is one of the untouched places and has the atmosphere of medieval where people are still living in huts and they do have very close affinity the hut structure,” said Yeshi Samdrup, the Senior (Sr) Architect with the Department of Culture. “This place is recognised as unique cultural heritage value which needs to be preserved.”
Though culture in Bhutan is immensely valued, he said socio-economic development has made it challenging for the cultural sites and landscapes to be protected and sustained. But culture officials take it positively.
“We don’t take it as a challenge but an opportunity for we are going to bring in development in line with cultural heritage value. Socio-economic development can boost tourism which will be good for the unique cultural sites,” added the Sr. Architect.
The eight culture experts reviewed the presentation reports of cultural sites’ management plan and final management plan will be prepared.
