Nepal, Feb. 27 -- The Jestha Varna Mahavihar Conservation Project has been recognized for conservation excellence and its sustainable approach, securing an Award of Merit in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation announced by UNESCO. The recognition was announced in February 2026, according to a press statement by the project.

Located in Lalitpur, the historic monastery was among seven cultural heritage projects selected in August 2017 for implementation in Lalitpur district under the Government of India's post-earthquake reconstruction grant in Nepal's cultural heritage sector.

The project was implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building & Housing) under the Government of Nepal. The c...