KATHMANDU: Kathmandu, Dec 15: So far, 198 archeological artifacts stolen from Nepal have been returned from abroad, according to the Department of Archeology.

Those artifacts were brought back by the Department in a coordinated effort with the national and international heritage activists, said Sarita Subedi, Archeological Officer.

The Nepali diaspora abroad and organizations working in the sector of heritage conservation have also contributed to this cause.

Subedi shared these artifacts were retrieved through the collaboration with organizations in the USA and European countries.

As per the international law, if the heritage of any country is found in another nation, the necessary legal process must be carried out to return it.

Those heritages have been returned following the international law, Subedi added. Artifacts such as wood carvings, stone carvings, architectures, statues among others that were originally created in Nepal and smuggled or stolen abroad are claimed and returned when found abroad, based on the information and with supporting evidences.

Some of the returned artifacts, especially the idols of god and goddess, have been religiously reinstated in their original locations.

The country where the artifacts are found in museum, auction houses or any private collections covers the shipping cost to return them to their country of origin.