16. Approval to be taken for Archaeological Excavation :
(1) Any person or institution, willing to do an archaeological excavation at a place where ancient monument is located, shall have to take prior approval of Government of Nepal as prescribed.
(2) If any person or institution, finds an object or monument of archaeological importance while conducting an excavation on prior approval pursuant to Sub-section (1), the concerned person or institution shall notify the Department of Archaeology or Local Office- Chief about it within forty-eight hours and the Local Office- Chief shall, in turn, inform the Department of Archaeology about the same immediately.
(3) The archaeological property found on the excavation conducted pursuant to Sub-section (2) shall belong to Government of Nepal.
(4) A person, who excavated without taking approval pursuant to Sub-section (1), shall be punished with a fine up to Twenty Five Thousand Rupees or an imprisonment up to Five years or both.
(5) A person, who excavates without notifying the Department of Archaeology or Local Office-Chief pursuant to Sub- section (2), shall be punished with a fine up to Fifteen Thousand Rupees or up to Three years imprisonment or both