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Documentation of Heritage Sites
The absence of a proper inventory and database system has posed a major challenge in protecting Bhutan’s cultural heritage, especially in light of rapid socio-economic development. Without adequate documentation, many heritage sites risk being damaged or lost entirely during infrastructure projects such as hydropower plants and economic zones.
Supported by the United States Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), this project aims to create a comprehensive inventory and database system for heritage sites in Bhutan. It promotes greater awareness, appreciation, and ownership of our cultural heritage, while encouraging people to value cultural heritage with a proper system of registration and designation of heritage sites.
Conservation of Ancient and Historic Buddhist Ethnographic Objects
Building on the momentum of heritage preservation, the current AFCP- supported project is underway to document Bhutan’s sacred Buddhist ethnographic objects, the very artifacts that embody our nation’s spiritual and cultural soul.
Led by the Zhung Dratshang’s Preservation & Antiquities Conservation Centre, this project is one of the first to combine the traditional knowledge of monks with modern digital technologies to conserve ancient artifacts across Bhutan.
This initiative is not just about physical conservation, it’s about ushering in a new era of cultural preservation, where the wisdom of monastic tradition meets innovation.
About 9 temples were reconstructed beyond the historic structure in Paro.
Most of the heritage sites not documented face the imminent threat of losing important information of the sites or destruction
Most of the heritage sites serve the community as a communal space and a place for festivities.
The Department of Culture under the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs will be the nodal agency to implement the project. The documentation of heritage sites would involve the local government officials, respective monasteries, and the community members of various eastern and central regions of Bhutan.
The inventory and database system of heritage sites is a fundamental need to preserve ancient heritage sites as we see rapid infrastructural development in Bhutan.
Your support will help us preserve ancient heritage sites in three districts of Bhutan.
