Kathmandu: So far, 198 archaeological artifacts stolen from Nepal have been returned from abroad, according to the Department of Archaeology.
The artifacts were brought back through coordinated efforts involving the Department, national and international heritage activists, said Archaeological Officer Sarita Subedi. She added that the Nepali diaspora and organizations working in heritage conservation have also played a key role in the recovery process.
Subedi said the artifacts were retrieved in collaboration with organizations based in the United States and several European countries. Under international law, cultural heritage found in another country must undergo a legal process for repatriation to its country of origin, and the returned artifacts were recovered following these legal provisions.
Items such as wood and stone carvings, architectural elements, and statues originally created in Nepal and later smuggled or stolen abroad are claimed and returned based on verified information and supporting evidence. Some of the recovered artifacts, particularly idols of gods and goddesses, have been ritually reinstated at their original locations.
According to the Department, the country where the artifacts are found, whether in museums, auction houses or private collections, bears the cost of shipping them back to Nepal.
(RSS)
