July 6, 2021
The project covers 54 selected sites in the Bumthang, Mongar, and Trashigang districts.
Recently, a team of ten experts, architects, and researchers led by the senior architect from the Department of Culture were in Bumthang district to carry out a thorough site survey and inventory of the heritage sites in the district. The team includes three female researchers. The surveyed sites included 20 heritage sites in the district. Some heritage sites were built in the 7th Century. Many sites are associated with ancient Buddhist masters and hold important religious and historic significance to the district and the country.
The Department of Culture has earmarked to develop a comprehensive inventory database system of heritage sites in Bhutan. The project, funded by the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, covers 54 selected sites in the Bumthang, Mongar, and Trashigang districts. Similar on-site documentation is scheduled to be carried out in the Mongar district in the coming months.
The Department plans to develop the Heritage Sites Database System as a sole digital system for maintenance and information references on the heritage sites through this fund. The local government officials and young aspiring professionals will also be trained in the documentation of heritage sites to contribute to human resources development and instilling responsibility of cultural heritage protection.
The Department of Culture under the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs is the central agency that manages heritage sites.
