Conservation of Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, Nepal: Assessing the Corrosion Threat from Pigeon Excreta on Metal Monuments

Pigeons have long been a common nuisance at numerous cultural sites in the Kathmandu Valley. Besides health, economic and aesthetic issues caused by pigeon excreta, this waste may also result damaging effects to materials used Nepalese architecture, including metals such as copper its alloys. This study assessed impact of excreta on metal-based monuments importance To test corrosive fresh were collected from three world heritage located around Valley: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan Durbar Squares. Additionally, metal samples, like those (including alloys bronze brass), obtained shops surrounding area Square. The samples cleaned, weighed, immersed placed covered beakers for duration 122 days. During period, cleaned weighed multiple intervals during designated exposure periods: Short-term (<10 days), Medium-term (10–42 days) Long-term (42–122 evaluate degree corrosion. Analysis showed significant corrosion loss but not brass, thus indicating stronger negative compared Therefore, use copper-alloys instead pure monument renovation could serve useful alternative help minimize adverse excreta. These findings provide an important insight helping promote long-term preservation sites.