PM Oli donates salary to rebuild Kathmandu's landmark Dharahara

Launching a campaign to reconstruct the Dharahara, also known as Bhimsen Tower, one of Kathmandu's landmarks that came crashing down during the devastating quake last April 25, Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has announced he would donate one month's salary toward the effort.

The prime minister's move on Tuesday is considered an attempt to encourage Nepali citizens to chip in for the rebuilding of the historic monument, Xinhua reported.

"We have to construct our heritage sites on our own. I urge all the Nepali citizens to help in the noble cause," Oli said, adding Dharahara will be reconstructed only with the money of Nepalese citizens.

As per the government's plan, the Department of Archaeology (DoA) in coordination with Kathmandu Metropolitan City, will reconstruct the 250-foot-tall structure dating to 1832.

The DoA has opened a bank account into which an individual or organisation can donate the amount of money they wish.

According to DoA, the government is preparing to commence the reconstruction of 104 heritage sites, including the Dharahara, from April 24. Of these, 61 will be constructed within a year and the remaining 40 in two years.

A total of 754 historical, cultural and religious monuments in 20 districts were damaged in the quake and its aftershocks.

Among them, 133 have been reduced to rubble, while 621 have sustained varied degrees of damage.