Nepal begins reconstruction of quake-damaged heritage sites

Nepal's prime minister has announced the start of reconstruction of heritage sites in the capital that were damaged by an earthquake that devastated the country one year ago, ABC News reported.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli offered prayers Monday at the 17th century Anantapur temple, which was damaged in the April 25, 2015, earthquake along with more than 600 other historic structures in Nepal.

Oli said work would begin on rebuilding the temple and three other heritage sites in Kathmandu.

Nepal has been criticized for a delay in reconstruction of the hundreds of thousands of homes damaged in the earthquake despite foreign donors pledging $4.1 billion in aid.

The magnitude-7.8 quake left nearly 9,000 people dead and millions homeless.