Nepal, Feb. 11 -- For over four years, the many ancient heritage sites and structures that were damaged by the 2015 Gorkha earthquakes remained where they fell as rubble (very much without a cause). But in recent years, preservation efforts have gained pace. And in this rush to reconstruct, various governmental bodies have missed a few key prerequisites-including the need to follow legal protocol and discuss their actions with relevant stakeholders.

There are plenty of examples. The Pashupati Area Development Trust's ongoing reconstruction of the unique Vishwarup Temple-situated within the Pashupatinath Temple complex-has caused a public outcry for the haphazard use of cement. On January 30, the Supreme Court issued an interim order dire...