The architecture of apathy

Why does heritage in Nepal make headlines only after it has disappeared, or once damage becomes irreversible?

In September 2025, Singha Durbar burned for the second time in its history. Unlike the accidental 1973 fire, this second inferno was ignited during the fury of the Gen Z anti-corruption protests. As the seat of Nepal’s government went up in flames, hijacked by violence after a deadly state crackdown, it left behind an exhausted question: Why does heritage in Nepal make headlines only after it has disappeared, or once damage becomes irreversible?