Old Bhaktapur houses in danger

ANKIT ADHIKARI

BHAKTAPUR, JUN 07

The culturally and archaeologically important old houses around the Bhaktapur Durbar Square area are in a sad state of affairs.

Even though the government provides subsidy to carry out renovation of the old-but-gold houses, owners rarely seek the money, citing “lengthy procedure” in fund releasing process.

“It takes long time to receive the government subsidy,” said 69-year-old Bhaktaman Manandhar, who owns a house that has developed cracks in Boulachhen Tole of Bhaktapur. “I don’t want to get involved in such a long government procedure.” Other locals also echo the same.

Now warning bells have started to ring. Natural disasters like earthquake can make these houses a soft target and that will eventually rob Bhaktapur off its rich cultural and archaeological importance, say engineers and experts.

The old houses built in clusters supporting each others are said to be no more appropriate for human shelter. However, a considerable number of Bhaktapur locals still live there, oblivious to the likely risks of earthquake and other natural disasters. Experts mainly attribute this to poverty and lack of public awareness.

While some locals are ignorant about potential danger, some are get the picture. “I know living in such houses is dangerous,” said a 26 year-old-shopkeeper at Kha:la.

Many houses there are built on clay eons ago. Today the bricks and mud are unable to support properly. “As the foundations of these houses are very weak, they are prone to earthquake,” said Amrit Man Tuladhar, national programme manager of Earthquake Risk Reduction and Recovery Preparedness under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Work.

“Most of these houses are built in clusters. Therefore, we cannot predict the impacts if an earthquake hits Bhaktapur. In connection with this, we have been conducting various awareness campaigns in different parts of the country,” he said.

According to Bhaktapur Municipality, government two years ago had decided to provide some subsidy in carrying out maintenance and renovation of the ancient houses. “Looking at the condition of these houses, the government provides 100 percent subsidy in bricks and 75 percent in furniture,” said Municipality Chief Executive Officer Devi Maya Ghimire. “Despite the heavy subsidy, locals seem least interested in getting their houses renovated.”

Why locals remain aloof? “We have not conducted any research to know why people there ignore,” she said. “The municipality is likely to re-launch the renovation programme along with various awareness campaigns. Let’s hope our efforts work this time,” she added.


Published in The Kathmandu Post -- June 8