YANGON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has called for efforts for cultural heritage conservation in Bagan, which was hit by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in August 2016.
"Historic areas being restored in Bagan need to ensure a cent-percent accounting transparency to achieve success," Suu Kyi told local authorities in her tour to the Bagan Archaeological Zone in the central part of the country where temples, pagodas and monasteries were damaged by the August quake, Myanmar News Agency reported on Wednesday.
She called for ensuring that each edifice does not lose ancient artistic value when the damaged pagodas are restored.
"Sunset and sunrise viewing on the temples can cause damage to the cultural heritage and that is not suitable in the long run and should be banned in the future," she said, suggesting to build an infrastructure in another suitable place for the viewing.
The Bagan ancient cultural heritage zone, where about 3,000 ancient pagodas and religious edifices can be seen in one place, has been in existence for more than 1,000 years and is seen as the pride of Myanmar and a major attraction for foreigners across the world as well.
The August quake damaged 258 vaunted temples, 104 pagodas and 13 brick monasteries.
Currently, Myanmar is also making efforts for the Bagan Archaeological Zone to become a part of UNESCO's World Heritage List. Enditem
