THE MOVABLE CULTURAL PROPERTY ACT OF BHUTAN, 2005
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CONTENTS:
THE MOVEABLE CULTURAL PROPERTY ACT OF BHUTAN, 2005
PREAMBLE….………………………………………….……………........………….4
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS …..……………...…………………........…….……5
Title,Commencement and Extent:..….………..………….………………......…..……5
Overriding Effect:………………………..………………………………….......……5
CHAPTER II
VALUABLE CULTURAL PROPERTIES OWNED BY ZHUNG DRATSHANG AND RABDEY…………………………….……….……………………....…….…5
Registration and Management:…………………………...……………….....……….5
Handing over during the change of a Caretaker:……....…………………....……......6
Shortage in the number of Valuable Cultural Properties:…………..………......…….6
Shortage in the number of Non-Valuable Cultural Properties:….……….…......…….6
Handing over of damaged/defective Cultural Property:…….…..……….….....…….6
Updating of a Thram:………………………...…………………….……....…..…….6
Sale, Purchase and Transfer:…………………….………………………....…..…….7
Periodic Investigation:…………………………..….……………….…….....……....7
Adhoc Investigation:…………………………….………………..….……....……...7
Offer of Zung:…………………………………….………………….……....……...7
Reports:……………………………………………….……………….……....….…8
Prohibition on photographing Cultural Properties:…….………………...……....…..8
Conservation and Security:………………………………………………...…...…...8
Exhibition outside the Country:………………………….………………....….……9
CHAPTER III
VALUABLE CULTURAL PROPERTIES OWNED BY THE
GOVERNMENT…………………………………………………………..….…..10
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Registration and Management:……………….……………………………….....….10
Procurement of Cultural Properties:……….………………………………......…….10
Research and taking Photographs:………….……………………………….....……10
Conservation and Security:………………….……...…………………….....……....11
Exhibition outside the Country:…………….……………………………….....……11
Handing Over:………...…………………….………………………………....……12
CHAPTER IV
VALUABLE CULTURAL PROPERTIES OWNED BY LATRUEL OR A
COMMUNITY……………………………………………………………....…….12
Registration and Management:…………….………………………………....…….12
Handing Over during the change of Caretaker:…….……………………...………12
Shortage in the number of Valuable Cultural Properties:…….…………....……….12
Shortage in the number of non-valuable Cultural Properties:….……….....………..13
Handing over of defective Cultural Property:……………………………....……...13
Updating of Thram:………………………………………………….…..…..……..13
Sale, Purchase and Transfer:………………………………………..……...….……13
Periodic Investigation:…………………………………..………………...…….….14
Adhoc Investigation:……………………………………..………………..…….…14
Offer of Zung:……………………………………………..……………..………...14
Photographing of Valuable Properties:……………………..……………...……….14
Conservation and Security:…………………………………..……………..………14
Exhibition outside the country:………………………………..…………..………..15
CHAPTER V
PRIVATELY OWNED VALUABLE CULTURAL PROPERTIES….…..….16
Registration and Management:………………..….……………………...……….…16
Penalties for non-registration:…………………..……………………...…………....16
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Adhoc Investigation:……………………………….………………….……………16
Shortage in the number of Valuable Cultural Properties:.……………….....……….17
Sale, Purchase and Transfer:…………………………….……………….....……….17
Photographing Cultural Properties:………………………..………..…….....………17
Offer of Zung:………………………………………………..………...…....……...17
Conservation and Security:…………………………………….…………....………18
Exhibition outside the Country:…………………………………………....………..18
CHAPTER VI
GENERAL MANAGEMENT……………………………………….......………..19
Powers of Identifying Cultural Properties:……………………………….......……..19
Change and Deletion in a Thram:……………………………………….....…...……19
Report on Loss and Investigation:……………………………………….....……..…20
Reward for the recovery of stolen Valuable Cultural Property:…………….....…….20
Seizure of Cultural Properties:…………………………………………….....…….…21
Prohibition on taking Valuable Cultural Properties outside the country:…….....……21
Sale and Export of Non-Valuable Cultural Property:………………………….....….21
Bhutanese Cultural Properties outside the country:……………………….…....……22
Briefing by Guides to their foreign guests:……………………………….….....……22
Valuable Cultural properties discovered from below ground:…………….....………22
Fine and Penalties:…………………………………………………….….…....…….22
Power to make rules and regulations:……………………………….….....…………23
Authoritative Text:………………………………………………….….....…………23
Amendments:……………………………………………………….….....…………23
Definitions:……………………………………………………….…….....………...23
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PREAMBLE
Movable Cultural Property forms a significant and a core component of Bhutan's immensely rich and ancient heritage. They are the material representations of the aspirations, achievements and expressions over many centuries of not only many renowned spiritual and historical figures but also of ordinary people like local artisans and craftspeople. The conservation and safeguarding of movable Cultural Property is thus imperative not just as representations of the past but also to ensure that the quality of life of the Bhutanese people is also as rich or even richer in the future.
This Act to conserve and protect the Movable Cultural Property of Bhutan is therefore enacted in the interest of the people of Bhutan and the World at large by the National Assembly of Bhutan, at its 84th Session, on the Twenty Eighth Day of the Ninth Month of the Wood Bird Year corresponding to the 29th of November 2005.
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CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Title, Commencement and Extent: 1. (a) This Act shall be called “The Moveable Cultural Property Act of
Bhutan, 2005”.
(b) This Act shall come into force on the Twenty Eighth Day of the Ninth Month of the Wood Bird Year corresponding to the 29th of November 2005, as passed by the National Assembly of Bhutan as follows:
(c) This Act shall apply to the whole of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Overriding Effect: 2. From the date of passing of this Act, this Act shall have an overriding
effect over all Government Circulars and Kashos relating to old Ten-Sums and Cultural Properties.
CHAPTER II VALUABLE CULTURAL PROPERTIES
OWNED BY ZHUNG DRATSHANG AND RABDEY
Registration and Management: 3. (a) In accordance with Section 59 of Chapter VI of this Act, the
representatives of the Zhung Dratshang, Rabdey and the Department of Culture shall jointly list and register Thrams of all the Kusung Thukten and Cultural Properties present in Dzongs and Lhakhangs. Photographs and documentation of these Cultural Properties shall also be maintained.
(b) The original copy of a Thram shall be maintained by the Zhung Dratshang and the Department of Culture. A copy of this Thram shall also be kept with the Lhakhang concerned.
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Handing over during the change of a Caretaker: 4. At the end of the tenure of an existing Caretaker or Kangjupa, the handing
over of the Cultural Properties of Dzongs, Lhakhangs or Goendeys to a new Caretaker or Kangjupa by the outgoing Caretaker shall be done in the presence of representatives from the Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey.
Shortage in the number of Valuable Cultural Properties: 5. The representatives of the Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey shall investigate
and handle any shortage in the number of Valuable Cultural Properties, at the time of the handing over process. Any matter which cannot be resolved shall be submitted to the Department of Culture which shall deal with it in accordance with Government rules. If necessary, the Department of Culture and the representatives from the Zhung Dratshang or Rabdey shall refer and justify the case along with the suspected offender to the Police and the Royal Court of Justice.
Shortage in the number of Non-Valuable Cultural Properties: 6. For any shortage in the number of Non-Valuable Cultural Properties during
the handing over process, the representatives of Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey shall make the person responsible; replace the missing property within three to six months. This replacement must be of the same material, size, appearance and shape of the original object that is missing. After the replacement has been made, a report must be submitted to the Zhung Dratshang and the Department of Culture.
Handing over of damaged/defective Cultural Property: 7. If it has been stated in the Thram that any Cultural Property belonging to a
Lhakhang is damaged or defective, it shall be handed over accordingly. Any unrecorded damages that have developed naturally due to age shall be examined and considered by the representatives. However, if there is new damage due to negligence, the object shall be repaired and replaced by the Caretaker in the same condition as that of the condition noted in the Thram.
Updating of a Thram: 8. The representatives of the handing over process shall make a detailed list
of the properties and shall make additional Thrams for any newly acquired
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property offered by devotees at the time of the handing over process. Copies of these Thrams shall be submitted to the Zhung Dratshang, Rabdey and the Department of Culture. However, if it is found that the Caretaker, for personal gains, has deliberately hidden and failed to reveal any new acquisitions that are required to be registered, the Caretaker shall be penalised accordingly.
Sale, Purchase and Transfer: 9. Cultural Property registered in a Thram shall not be sold, used for personal
means, exchanged, gifted or damaged. The Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey in consultation with the community concerned shall decide on any exchange and grant among Dzongs and Lhakhangs of any Tensum and other Cultural Property. However, in the case of Valuable Cultural Properties, this shall be done in accordance with the approval of the Dratshang Lhentshog. Accordingly a copy of the order issued for the transfer of Thram shall be given to the Department of Culture.
Periodic Investigation: 10. Every three to five years, the Zhung Dratshang, Rabdey and the
Department of Culture shall conduct a joint investigation of the condition of Valuable Cultural Properties to ascertain whether the conditions of these properties are still in accordance with their Thrams. A report of this investigation shall be submitted by the investigating team to the Dratshang Lhentshog and the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs.
Adhoc Investigation: 11. In the case where there are concerns that Cultural Properties in Dzongs and
Lhakhangs have been stolen, exchanged or sold outside, the Dratshang Lhentshog and the Department of Culture shall conduct a joint investigation at any time.
Offer of Zung: 12. In the case where Cultural Property registered in a Thram has to be offered
as Zung for Ten, it may be done in accordance with the approval of the Dratshang Lhentshog. The offering shall be made in the presence of the representatives from the Department of Culture. Accordingly, a notice shall
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be given to the Department of Culture for the purpose of making subsequent changes in the Thram. Until the approval is received from the Dratshang Lhentshog, the personnel dealing with the Cultural Property at the Zhung Dratshang, Rabdey and the Department of Culture shall not change the Thram.
Reports: 13. A copy of all reports relating to Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 under Chapter
II shall be submitted to the Department of Culture.
Prohibition on photographing Cultural Properties: 14. Without prior permission from the Dratshang Lhentshog, photographing,
permitting people to view and handle, filming or carrying out research on, etc. of Cultural Properties are prohibited.
Conservation and Security: 15. (a) All Cultural Property in Lhakhangs, even those which are damaged
due to age, shall be conserved. (b) The Caretaker, Kanjupa or any other person shall not carry out any
conservation works on Cultural Property in Lhakhangs without appropriate approval.
(c) In order to prevent changes and damages to the original design, colour, etc. of Cultural Properties when undertaking conservation, the conservation works shall be carried out in accordance with the policies of the Royal Government and with the approval of the Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey. To facilitate this purpose, people from the Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey shall be trained in the conservation of Cultural Properties.
(d) Due to the complexity of works, if there is likelihood of changes and damages to the original colour, appearance, etc. of Valuable Cultural Property, experts from the Zhung Dratshang, Rabdey and the Department of Culture shall jointly carry out the necessary conservation works.
(e) After the completion of conservation works on an object, according to the process mentioned in Section 15(d), the Dratshang Lhentshog
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and the Department of Culture shall accordingly make the necessary changes in the Thram.
(f) In order to ensure that Cultural Property under the care of Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey are conserved effectively and safely, the Department of Culture shall propose plans and strategies and shall train and make provisions for entitlements for the Caretakers of these properties in appropriate methods of conservation, maintenance and protection of these objects.
Exhibition outside the Country: 16. (a) When Cultural Properties covered under Section 59 of Chapter VI
are to be taken outside the country for an exhibition, the Ministry concerned shall inform the Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey.
b) For these Cultural Properties, except for those very rare Cultural Properties which are automatically barred from being taken out of Bhutan, a list containing the description of the objects and the location from where they are to be collected for the exhibition must be discussed among the bodies concerned.
c) The Zhung Dratshang, Rabdey and the Department of Culture shall jointly maintain detailed documentation, along with identification marks, value, source and photographs of each property.
d) The person who is in charge of transferring Valuable Cultural Properties from their original locations for an exhibition shall take all necessary measures to prevent damages to the objects during the transfer.
e) Similarly, the person who is in charge of transferring these Cultural Properties shall also appropriately insure each and every object.
f) Since there are high risks involved with the transfer of valuable and sacred religious items for exhibitions, experts in performing Soel- choeth offerings from the Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey shall also accompany the representatives of the Government in order to take special care of objects that are sacred.
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g) On the return of an object from an exhibition, the object shall be transferred and restored to its relevant location only after the verification of its condition in correspondence to the previous record of its condition before the transfer of the object for the exhibition. A report of this verification shall then be submitted to the Dratshang Lhentshog and the Ministry concerned.
CHAPTER III
VALUABLE CULTURAL PROPERTIES OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT
Registration and Management: 17. In accordance with Section 59 of Chapter VI of this Act, all Cultural
Properties and other objects in a Museum shall be documented with photographs and registered by the Museum. A copy of this registration with the documentation shall be submitted to the Department of Culture.
Procurement of Cultural Properties: 18. A Committee which has been authorised by the Government for the
procurement of Cultural Properties shall procure after careful verification and discussions on whether the object is valuable and thus a historically important Kusung Thugten and whether the price to be paid for this object has been set according to the value of the object. In accordance with the decision taken by this Procurement Committee, the Museum shall purchase the property and subsequently document and register them.
Research and taking Photographs: 19. Carrying out research on and taking photographs of Government owned
Valuable Cultural Properties, are prohibited without prior approval from the Department of Culture. Research on and taking photographs solely for the purpose of dissemination of free information to educate the public can be done with approval from the Museum.
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Conservation and Security: 20. Depending upon its condition, if a Valuable Cultural Property in a Museum
has to be conserved, the conservation shall take place in accordance with Government policies and shall be allowed only after thorough verification by conservation experts as to whether it is necessary to carry out the proposed conservation works . In order to keep the properties in the museum safe and to protect them from damages after the conservation, the properties shall be managed under the guidance and supervision of conservation experts.
Exhibition outside the Country: 21. (a) To take any Cultural Property covered under Section 59 of Chapter
VI outside the country for an exhibition, approval must be obtained from the Ministry concerned.
(b) In accordance with the approval of the Ministry, the Museum shall make a list of the Cultural Properties to be taken outside and accordingly seek approval from the Department of Culture.
(c) The Museum and the Department of Culture shall jointly maintain detailed documentation of each property, including identification marks, value, source and photographs of each object.
(d) The person who is responsible for transferring Cultural Properties for an exhibition shall take appropriate measures to avoid damages to these objects during transportation.
(e) Similarly, this person shall insure each object.
(f) Since there is high risk involved with transfer of Cultural Properties, competent persons from the Government shall be sent with the objects to take care of them.
(g) On the return of an object from an exhibition, the condition of the object shall be verified for damages in accordance with the previous record of its condition before the transfer of the object for the exhibition. A report of this verification shall then be submitted to the Ministry.
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Handing Over: 22. During the change of the Head of a Museum, all properties as per the
registered list shall be handed over accurately to the new Head.
CHAPTER IV VALUABLE CULTURAL PROPERTIES
OWNED BY LATRUEL OR A COMMUNITY
Registration and Management: 23. (a) In accordance with Section 59 of Chapter VI of this Act, the
Department of Culture, representatives from the respective village and the Head of the Goendeys shall jointly list and register Thrams of all Kusung Thukten and other Cultural Property, be it old or new, in Lhakhangs owned by Latruel or local Communities. Photographs and documentation of these Cultural Properties shall also be maintained.
(b) A copy of the Thram shall be maintained by the relevant Lhakhangs and concerned Dzongkhag. The original copy shall be kept with the Department of Culture.
Handing Over during the change of Caretaker: 24. At the end of the tenure of a Caretaker of Lhakhangs or Goendeys, the
handing over process of Cultural Properties shall be done in the presence of representatives from the village, the Head of the Goendey and representatives from the Dzongkhag. The copy of the handing over report shall be submitted to the Department of Culture.
Shortage in the number of Valuable Cultural Properties: 25. During the time of the handing over process, if there are any shortages in
the number of Valuable Cultural Properties, this shall be investigated and verified by the representative of the village, the Head of Goendey and the representative from the Dzongkhag. Accordingly as per the existing regulations, they shall then refer the case to the Royal Bhutan Police for further investigation. Further, the team must submit this information to the Department of Culture.
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Shortage in the number of non-valuable Cultural Properties: 26. During the time of the handing over process, if there are any shortages in
the number of Non- Valuable Cultural Properties, the representatives of the village, the Goendey and the Dzongkhag shall order whoever is responsible for the shortage to replace the missing property within three to six months. This replacement must be of the same material, size, appearance and shape of the original object that is missing. A report of this shall be submitted to the Department of Culture.
Handing over of defective Cultural Property: 27. If it has been stated in the Thram that a Cultural Property of a Lhakhang is
defective, it shall be handed over accordingly. Any unrecorded defects that have developed naturally shall be examined and considered by the representatives. However, if there is new damage and deterioration, directly due to negligence, it shall be repaired and replaced in the same condition as that of the original by the person responsible.
Updating of Thram: 28. The representatives present during the handing over process shall make a
detailed list of properties and make new Thrams for any newly acquired properties offered by devotees at the time of handing over. Copies of these new Thrams shall be submitted to the Department of Culture. However, if it is found that the Caretaker, for personal gains, has deliberately hidden and failed to reveal any new acquisitions that are required to be registered, the Caretaker shall be penalised accordingly.
Sale, Purchase and Transfer: 29. Any Cultural Property registered in a Thram shall not be sold, used for
personal needs, exchanged, gifted or damaged. Any exchange and grant of Tensum and other properties among Lhakhangs shall be done with the approval of the Department of Culture. The application for the change of Thram shall be submitted for approval to the Department of Culture.
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Periodic Investigation: 30. Every three to five years, the Department of Culture shall investigate all
Valuable Cultural Properties and submit their report to the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs.
Adhoc Investigation: 31. In case there is concern that Cultural Property owned by a Latruel or public
Lhakhang has been lost, exchanged or sold, the Department of Culture may conduct an investigation at any time.
Offer of Zung: 32. Where Cultural Property registered in a Thram has to be offered as Zung
for Ten, this can be decided by the community concerned or the Latruel. However, the offering shall be made in the presence of representatives from the Department of Culture and/or the Dzongkhag. Accordingly, a report shall be sent to the Department of Culture for the purpose of updating or changing the corresponding Thram.
Photographing of Valuable Properties: 33. Without prior approval from the Department of Culture, photographing,
filming, carrying out research on or permitting a person to view or handle Valuable Cultural Properties is prohibited.
Conservation and Security: 34. (a) The Kongyer and Caretakers shall conduct checks from time to time
whether all Cultural Properties are in place. Similarly people living near the Lhakhang shall render help when necessary for safeguarding Cultural Properties.
(b) Conservation works on Cultural Properties shall not be carried out without approval from the Department of Culture.
(c) Conservation works shall not be approved until the identity and qualification of the conservator identified to carry out the work have been verified and the conservation proposal has been examined and found to be appropriate.
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(d) Valuable Cultural Property, belonging to any person, shall be conserved by the person with the help of the Department of Culture.
(e) Regardless of who carries out conservation works on an object, the Department of Culture shall maintain a keep a record of this conservation.
(f) In order to ensure that Cultural Property under the care of Latruel and Community Lhakhangs are conserved effectively and safely, the Department of Culture shall propose plans and strategies and shall train the Caretakers of these properties in appropriate methods of conservation, maintenance and safeguarding of these objects.
Exhibition outside the country: 35. (a) For the transfer of Cultural Properties covered under Section 59 of
Chapter VI for an exhibition, approval must be obtained from the Ministry concerned.
(b) If the Department of Culture wishes to use Cultural Property owned by Latruel or community Lhakhangs for an exhibition in accordance with the approval of the Ministry, the Department shall make a list of Cultural Properties to be taken and obtain approval from the Ministry.
(c) The Department of Culture shall maintain detailed documentation of each property to be used for an exhibition, including identification marks, value, source and photographs of each object.
(d) The person who is responsible for transferring Cultural Properties for an exhibition shall take appropriate measures to avoid damages to these objects during transportation.
(e) Further, the person shall insure each object.
(f) Since there is high risk involved with exhibition items, competent people from the Department of Culture shall be sent with the properties to take care of them.
(g) On the return of an object from an exhibition, the condition of the object shall be verified by the Department of Culture for damages in accordance with the previous record of its condition before the
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transfer of the object for the exhibition. A report of this verification shall then be submitted to the concerned Ministry.
CHAPTER V PRIVATELY OWNED VALUABLE CULTURAL PROPERTIES
Registration and Management: 36. (a) In accordance with Section 59 of Chapter VI of this Act, the
Department of Culture shall list and register Thrams of all Valuable Cultural Properties belonging to a private Lhakhang, altar or exhibition. Photographs and records of the Cultural Properties shall also be maintained.
(b) A copy of the Thram shall be kept with the owner and the concerned Dzongkhag. The original Thram shall be kept with the Department of Culture.
Penalties for non-registration: 37. If the Government becomes aware of Cultural Properties that have been
concealed to avoid registration of these objects during the time of registration, penalties shall be imposed.
Adhoc Investigation: 38. (a) For objects belonging to a private Lhakhang, altar or exhibition, as
the handing over process does not take place, a representative from the village and the Dzongkhag Administration shall therefore conduct an investigation every three years on the condition of Valuable Cultural Properties against the corresponding Thram. A report of this investigation shall be submitted to the Department of Culture.
(b) In case there is any concern that Cultural Property in a private Lhakhang, altar or exhibition hall has been lost, exchanged or sold outside, the representative of the village and the Dzongkhag Administration may conduct investigations at any time and report accordingly to the Department of Culture. The Department of
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Culture may also conduct investigations on the instruction of the Ministry.
Shortage in the number of Valuable Cultural Properties: 39. If Valuable Cultural Properties are found to be missing during the
investigation, the matter shall be forwarded to the Royal Bhutan Police for further investigation.
Sale, Purchase and Transfer: 40. (a) Any Cultural Property registered in the Thram may be sold,
exchanged, inherited, gifted and transferred to other locations within the country. However, the matter shall be reported to the Department of Culture through the respective Dzongkhag within one month to update the corresponding Thram. The new owner shall obtain and maintain a copy of the new Thram.
(b) When a person wants to sell a privately owned Valuable Cultural Property to the Government, he or she shall contact the Department of Culture. The Cultural Properties Procurement Committee shall purchase the object at the rate fixed by the Committee after verifying the value of the object. The property purchased shall then be handed over as per the decision of the Government. Subsequently the corresponding Thram shall be updated or changed accordingly.
Photographing Cultural Properties: 41. Except for the owners, without prior permission from the Department of
Culture, photographing, filming and carrying out research on Cultural Properties are prohibited.
Offer of Zung: 42. A Valuable Cultural Property registered in the Thram may be offered as
Zung for Ten as per the wishes of the owner. However, the offering shall be made in the presence of the representative from the village and Dzongkhag. Accordingly, a report shall be sent to the Department of Culture to update or change the corresponding Thram.
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Conservation and Security: 43. (a) The owner and the Caretaker shall conduct regular checks to ensure
that all Cultural Properties are secure and in place. People living near the Lhakhang shall render help when necessary for safeguarding the Cultural Properties.
(b) Conservation works on Cultural Properties shall not be carried out without approval from the Department of Culture.
(c) Conservation works shall not be approved until the identity and qualification of the conservator identified to carry out the work, have been verified and the conservation proposal has been examined and found to be appropriate.
(d) If Cultural Property belonging to any person is a valuable one, he shall conserve it with the help of the Department of Culture.
(e) Regardless of who carries out conservation works on an object, the Department of Culture shall maintain and keep a record of this conservation.
(f) In order to ensure that Cultural Property are conserved effectively and safely, the Department of Culture shall propose plans and strategies and shall also train the Caretakers of these properties in appropriate methods of conservation, maintenance and safeguarding of these objects.
Exhibition outside the Country: 44. (a) Approval must be obtained from the Ministry concerned to take
Cultural Properties covered under Section 59 of Chapter VI outside the country for an exhibition.
(b) If the Department of Culture wishes to use a Cultural Property for an exhibition, they shall seek approval for this use from the owner of the property. Once approval is granted by the respective owners, the Department shall make a list of Cultural Properties to be taken for the exhibition and shall seek approval from the Ministry.
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(c) The Department of Culture shall maintain detailed documentation of each property to be used for an exhibition, including identification marks, value, source and photographs of each property.
(d) Appropriate measures to avoid damages during transportation must be taken by the Department.
(e) Similarly the person who takes these properties outside the country shall insure each property.
(f) Since there is high risk involved with the transfer of exhibition items, competent people from the Department of Culture shall be sent with the objects to take care of them.
(g) On the return of an object from an exhibition, the condition of the object shall be verified by the Department of Culture for damages in accordance with the previous record of its condition before the transfer of the object for the exhibition. A report of this verification shall then be submitted to the concerned Ministry.
CHAPTER VI GENERAL MANAGEMENT
Powers of Identifying Cultural Properties: 45. (a) The Department of Culture is the final authority to identify Tensum
and Cultural Properties.
(b) When the Department of Culture and the Geduen Tensum representatives are unable to make a decision, the Cultural Properties Verification Committee authorised by the Government shall make the decision.
(c) In order to identify Valuable Cultural Property correctly, relevant research will be conducted, relevant documents shall be collected and appropriate trainings shall be given to those responsible for the documentation and identification of Cultural Properties.
Change and Deletion in a Thram: 46. (a) Except for those properties owned by the Zhung Dratshang and
Rabdey, once the Thram has been prepared and certified, no one
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shall have the authority to transfer, revise or change the contents of a Thram without the approval from the Department of Culture.
(b) When Cultural Properties are not recoverable due to loss or theft and subsequently these objects needs to be deleted from a Thram, this can be carried out only in accordance with a specific Kasho from the relevant Ministry or a decision of a Court of Law in Bhutan.
Report on Loss and Investigation: 47. (a) In the event of the loss of Cultural Property, depending on the
distance of the location, this loss shall be reported to the Police, Dungkhag and Dzongkhag by the Gup, Chimi, Mangmi, Tshogpa or owner. The Police, Dungkhag and Dzongkhag shall not only send a copy of this report to the Department of Culture but shall also circulate information and letters to the Department of Revenue and Customs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent the property from being taken outside the country.
(b) During the investigation by the Police, the relevant Thram and the photographs of the stolen object shall be collected from the Department of Culture to aid in the search of this stolen Cultural Property and to ensure that a report is given to all concerned as soon as possible.
(c) The Department of Culture in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall, in accordance with UNESCO and INTERPOL systems, seek help to search and return Cultural Properties taken outside the country without appropriate approval.
Reward for the recovery of stolen Valuable Cultural Property: 48. (a) A person whose report leads to the recovery of stolen Valuable
Cultural Property shall be rewarded, as a token of appreciation by the police, with the amount equivalent to 25% of the value of the Cultural Property recovered.
(b) The concerned authority shall not disclose the name of the informant.
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Seizure of Cultural Properties: 49. The Department of Customs, the Royal Bhutan Police and any others shall
immediately notify the concerned bodies and owners of any seizures made of stolen or lost Cultural Properties. Till the rightful owners come forward, the object shall be kept with the Department of Culture. After a lapse of one hundred and eight days, if the object is not claimed, the Cultural Property shall be taken over by the Government and the Thram shall be transferred accordingly. Where the owner comes forward, within the above-specified period, the Cultural Property shall be handed over to the owner after verification by the Department of Culture, the Royal Bhutan Police and the concerned Dzongkhag.
Prohibition on taking Valuable Cultural Properties outside the country: 50. No person shall take any Valuable Cultural Property mentioned under
Section 59 of Chapter VI of this Act outside the country without appropriate approval.
Sale and Export of Non-Valuable Cultural Property: 51. (a) Other than the Cultural Properties mentioned under Section 59 of
Chapter VI, any other old Tensum, ritual objects and handicrafts may be sold or taken outside the country. The Department of Culture shall verify that these objects to be taken outside the country are not prohibited in accordance with Section 59 of Chapter VI, and shall accordingly certify these permissible objects with a written permit and a seal.
(b) The Bhutan Border Check-Post, the Bhutan Customs and the Royal Bhutan Police shall permit those non valuable Cultural Properties to be taken out of the country only after thoroughly examining the written permit and seal issued by the Department of Culture against the object to be taken out.
(c) In case there is no written permit and seal of the Department of Culture on the old object and/or the seal or permit are found to be fakes, the Cultural Property shall be seized by the Bhutan Border
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Check-Post or the Bhutan Customs or Royal Bhutan Police. This
object shall then be immediately sent to the Department of Culture.
(d) During the investigation by the Department of Culture, if the property received from Customs or the Police is found to be protected under Section 59 of this Act, the case shall then be forwarded to the Royal Court of Justice. If the object is found to be an object not protected under this Act, it shall then be given back to the rightful owner after verification by the Department of Culture.
Bhutanese Cultural Properties outside the country: 52. (a) Should any Valuable Cultural Property reach foreign countries either
through theft or sale or as a gift by irresponsible people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with the Royal Bhutan Police and other relevant Ministries shall negotiate with those countries to recover these protected properties.
(b) The lost Cultural Properties, when recovered from any other country, shall be verified in accordance with the Lhakhang and Thram and sent back to its rightful place.
Briefing by Guides to their foreign guests: 53. Considering that foreign visitors are often not familiar with the Cultural
Property Act of Bhutan, it is the legal responsibility of the concerned agency/host/guide to brief the visitor on the Act where applicable.
Valuable Cultural properties discovered from below ground: 54. If any items considered to be Valuable Cultural Property, as mentioned
under Section 59, are discovered during the construction of roads or buildings or any other related works, this discovery shall be immediately reported to the Department of Culture through the concerned Dzongkhag.
Fine and Penalties: 55. (a) In case of any violation of Sections 5, 8, 9, 12, 14 and 16 of Chapter
II, Sections 19, 21 and 22 of Chapter III, Sections 25, 28, 29, 32, 33 and 35 of Chapter IV, Sections 37, 39, 41, 42 and 44 of Chapter V
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and Sections 46, 47, 48, 50 and 51 of Chapter VI, penalties shall be imposed in accordance with the Penal Code of Bhutan 2004.
(b) The violation of other Sections of this Act shall be dealt with in accordance with other relevant Acts.
Power to make rules and regulations: 56. The Ministry concerned shall have the power to make rules and regulations
in accordance with this Act.
Authoritative Text: 57. In any instance where differences arise between the Dzongkhag and
English texts, the Dzongkha text shall prevail.
Amendments: 58. The National Parliament of Bhutan may make any amendment to this Act if
there is a need to do so.
Definitions: 59. (a) “Valuable Cultural Properties” means not only the objects used
for religious offerings and worship but all movable objects which are the expressions and testimony of human creation or are of the evolution of nature which are of artistic, historical, cultural, religious, social, archaeological or technical value and interest as described below:
(i) “Kuten” includes all images including images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other deities made from medicinal clay, zikhim, bronze, gold, silver, brass or any other materials and also on items such as Kuthangs, wall paintings, Thongdroels, Thangkas, and needlework or embroidered tapestry.
(ii) “Sungten” includes manuscripts such as Kanjur, Tenjur, Sungbum, Namthar and Kabum which are written in gold, silver, vermilion, ordinary ink or shell, or craved on stone. This also includes cloth wrappers, wooden plates (lekshing), belts (lekthag), belt hooks (chabtse), dongdar, scriptures in book form bound by gotsem
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(Stitched hardbound), prayer flags (dar-par) and amulets (sungwa tagdrol).
(iii) “Thugten” includes the Eight Buddha stupas (Decheg Choeten Gyad) and all other kinds of stupas made of any materials.
(iv) “Ritual objects and Choezes” includes ritual objects made of gold, silver and copper or of any other materials.
The above mentioned Ku Sung Thugten and ritual objects that are 100 or over 100 years old are to be considered as Valuable Cultural Property. Those objects made and consecrated by renowned religious figures and those created by famous artisans and crafts people are also considered Valuable Cultural properties irrespective of age.
(v) “Ornaments” includes ornaments for Kusung Thugten of Lhakhangs and jewellery made of gold, silver, copper, cats-eye, and coral, turquoise, pearl, precious stone, sapphire, diamond, oyster, etc, and such other ornaments of historic interest which are considered valuable irrespective of age.
(vi) “Ritual objects made from animal parts” includes objects made from elephant tusk, rhino horn, animal skin and bones which are of historical significance are considered valuable irrespective of age.
(vii) “Weapons” includes arrows, spears, fire lock guns, long swords, swords, shields, helmets, short guns, rifles and armour which are more than 100 years old. It also includes other weapons of historical significance that are considered valuable irrespective of age.
(viii) “Archaeological materials and fossils” includes all movable items of archaeological interest that have already been excavated or discovered during excavations or explorations. This includes fossils and namchag (thunder bolt).
(ix) “Furniture, carpets and dress” includes all furniture, carpets and costumes which are more than 100 years old and are of historic value.
(x) “Architectural heritage” includes wood or other valuable objects resulting from the total dismemberment of architectural heritage that
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are over 100 years old and are considered of historical and architectural value.
(xi) “General objects” includes objects of Zorig Chusum (the 13 traditional arts and crafts), kitchen accessories, agricultural implements, musical instruments, coins and maps that are over 100 years old or are considered to have historical or artistic value.
(xii) “Rare objects” includes rare objects from within the country regardless of how old they may be.
(xiii) “Objects obtained from outside the country” includes objects obtained from outside the country which are over 100 years old and which after reaching the Country are to be considered to have historic value.
(b) “Valuable Cultural Properties owned by the Zhung Dratshang and Rabdey” refers to Tensum and other related objects which were made under the patronage of renowned spiritual and historical leaders such as Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Je Khenpos, succession of Monarchs, and other notable people. These are the objects contained in the Dzongs, Goendeys and Lhakhangs whose sanctity has been managed and preserved through the ages with religious rites and regular ritual offerings by the Zhung Dratshang and Rabdeys.
(c) “Valuable Cultural Properties owned by the Government” includes all Cultural Properties owned by the Government such as Ku Sung Thugten, ritual objects and articles, weapons, bronze artefacts, textiles, costumes and ornaments whether new or old, and general objects such as pots, utensils, and agricultural implements kept in Government Museums.
(d) “Valuable Cultural Properties owned by Latruel or the Community” includes Tensum, ritual objects and Cultural Properties in Community or Latruel Lhakhangs and Goendeys which were built by renowned religious leaders of Latruel lineages and/or by the general public and devotees with their own wealth and labour and which are being managed and preserved for religious rites and offerings.
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(e) “Privately Owned Valuable Cultural Properties” means Tensum and Cultural Properties owned by private individuals, in a private Lhakhang built by their forefathers through their own efforts and with their own wealth, or those kept in a private altar or exhibition hall.
(f) “UNESCO” means United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
(g) “INTERPOL” means International Criminal Police Organization.
(h) “Kyner “means caretaker of the Cultural Properties in the Temple.