Private houses, cultural heritages and historic palace, monastery, stupa and school buildings have been damaged by the quake in the upper part of the district.
According to Narendra Lama, officer at Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), most of the heritages have been destroyed by the quake in upper Mustang."Century-old heritages, including Chhode, Jhyampa, Thumpen monasteries, have been damaged in the earthquake," Lama said. "Chhode monastery, among those three ancient monasteries, is the most affected, and it has developed several cracks." Pinnacle of Jhyampa monastery has crumbled in the quake.
Lama locals visit all the three monasteries damaged by the earthquake, according to Lama.
Around 700-year-old Lomanthang Durbar has also developed cracks due to the earthquake, according to Jigme Parwal Bista, king of Mustang, whose family had been living in the palace. They are now forced to live in a makeshift tent. "The palace has been damaged massively," Bista said.
Another significant 800-year-old Chhonhup Nyamgel monastery, consisting of the largest number of holy books and idols, has also suffered massive damage in the earthquake.
"Statues are safe, but the walls have developed cracks," he added.
Many other ancient heritages, including Charang Durbar and monastery, Chhorten Stupa have been reduced to rubble in the earthquake.
Around 5,000 foreign tourists visit upper Mustang every year because of the scenic beauty and cultural heritages. Foreign tourists pay additional 500 US dollar per person for the trip to controlled area of the upper Mustang.
Likewise, Santosh Sherchan, ACAP chief for Upper Mustang told Republica that most of natural and cultural heritages and structures have to be repaired at the earliest. "The quake-hit heritages have weakened as well," he added.
Along with heritages, school buildings have also been damaged in the earthquake, according to Ramu Shrestha, principal of Divyadip secondary school, located in upper Mustang. There are 110 students studying from grade one to 10 in the school. Library and computer lab of the school, which was constructed under Chinese assistance, have also developed cracks.
School principal Shrestha said only some of the classrooms are safe, according to engineers who inspected the school after the quake.
Indra Dhara Bista, a civil society activist, said even the damaged palaces are risky for visitors. "The funds raised through the tourists' visit in the areas must be spent for the preservation and conservation of the heritage sites in the area. They are the properties of upper Mustang," said Bista.
According to him, around Rs 240 million has been collected from the tourists visiting the upper Mustang areas.
Meanwhile, Jivan Gyawali, planning officer at District Development Committee (DDC), Mustang has already assessed the damages in upper Mustang and forwarded the report to the central authorities.
Related story
UNESCO mission wants Valley heritage in danger list
