Historic Nepal sites set to reopen after earthquake

Nepal is set to reopen all the heritage sites in the earthquake-hit Kathmandu Valley to the public in a bid to attract tourists.

Among the sites set to be reopened are the historic Patan Durbar squares or "noble courts", which were badly damaged in the April 25 earthquake, reports the BBC. Though Unesco has expressed concern over the safety of reopening the sites, local media reports have quoted officials as saying that all necessary measures have been taken in this regard.

More than 8,000 people were killed in the April earthquake, and the destruction was widespread.

UNESCO has issued a statement last week asking the public to be extra cautious at the sites, adding that it hoped the decision to reopen them could be re-examined. Security will be in place, tourists will be given guided tours and signboards will indicate specified routes to cause minimal disturbance to structures, officials are quoted as saying in local media.