Draft Master Plan under development for restoration of Shwezigon Pagoda
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Phyo/ Saw (NP News) - Feb 18
The Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, Bagan Archaeological Research and National Museum Department (Bagan Branch), U Maung Maung Nan Nwe, told The NP News that a draft Master Plan is being developed to restore the Shwezigon Pagoda as Myanmar's first UNESCO World Heritage site.
“Shwezigon is the first site in the Bagan World Heritage region to undergo restoration. So far, we have worked on the restoration of Shwezigon and also Mandalay’s Maha Myat Muni Temple. However, sites like Shwedagon and Maha Myat Muni are not in World Heritage areas, so they could proceed with a normal Master Plan. But with Shwezigon now being in a World Heritage area, it is different from the others. The Master Plan for this site will be more detailed and subject to stricter regulations,” said U Maung Maung Nan Nwe.
It is reported that the Master Plan is being developed to ensure the long-term preservation of all cultural heritage around the pagoda, including other monuments such as stupas, cave temples, brick pagodas, statues and ancient inscriptions.
It is reported that the Master Plan draft will be executed in phases, with both short-term and long-term tasks to be carried out continuously over time to ensure its ongoing implementation.