The Explore Nepal

Kathmandu Durbar Square, a traffic free zone

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the religious and social heart of Kathmandu’s old city and is a complex of palaces, temples, shrines, statues and courtyards built by the kings of Nepal between the 12th and 18th centuries.

The square in the heart of the city also has the old Royal Palace, Hanuman Dhoka (Hanuman Gate), with temples inside, as well as outside. The palace is called so as a stone statue of Hanuman,the monkey god, is placed right next to the main entrance protecting the whole palace.

In recent years, Kathmandu Durbar Square has lost its old charm due to urbanization, increased numbers of polluting vehicles, hawkers and small market stalls.

To restore the Square to its old form we conducted these activities:

• pressure rallies with local schools, clubs and residents to build awareness of the situation.
• clean-up groups.
• awareness campaigns to implement proper waste disposal and banning of vehicles in the Square.
• a signature campaign to ban vehicles within the area.
• an observation tour for the media to ensure there was massive media coverage of the situation.
• a proposal to the Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation regarding the preservation of Kathmandu Durbar Square.

The Impact:

• The formation of the Kathmandu Durbar Square Conservation Committee.
• A complete ban on entrance of vehicle in the area.
• No parking allowed for any vehicles within Kathmandu Durbar Square.
• No hawkers or small markets within the heritage area.
• Tourist Vendors have been allocated specific times and places for trading.
• Renovation works of many temples have been completed by the Kathmandu Durbar Square Conservation Committee.
• Numerous private organizations and NGO's have shown concern in the restoration and safeguard of Kathmandu Durbar Square.