Shortage of timber in Sindhupalchok has halted the post-earthquake reconstruction works.

The earthquake-displaced people in the district, who started building their homes with the first instalment of the housing aid, said they had to stop the construction due to the unavailability of timber.  

The government has announced to provide subsidised timber to the earthquake survivors, but the Sindhupalchok District Forest Office (DFO) has been unable to meet the timber demand.  

The Department of Forest was notified about the shortage three months ago, but there has been no response till date, District Forest Officer Shiva Prasad Sapkota said.

Around 24,000 households have filed applications at the DFO, requesting for timber.

Amrit Khadka, of Gaurati in Sangachokgadhi Municipa- lity,had requested the DFO to provide 25 cu ft of timber four months ago. He said his under-construction house needed doors and windows.  

The DFO had distributed around 2,000 cu ft of timber to 72 families in Chautara, the district headquarters, and its neighbouring areas in the first phase. The earthquake survivors in other parts of the district have not received the subsidised timber till date.

Sindhupalchok is one of the worst earthquake-affected districts. Around 70,000 homes were destroyed in the disaster. According to the DFO estimates, the 

district requires around 1.8 million cu ft of timber for rebuilding.