Local people and some social organisations have started constructing model houses at Rainaskot, a tourist destination hit hardest by the April 25 earthquake.

Locals said 17 model houses, which will have one storey and five rooms each, will be constructed with financial support from some individuals as well as American Fifty Cent Period and the Nepal-Japan Nature and Peace Foundation while G-9 Circle will provide technical help to carry out the work.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 20 million and around half of the total funds will be provided by the donors. Locals will manage the remaining funds by contributing labour and stones required for construction.

Krishnaraj Oliya, a social activist, said each of the houses will have an improved cooking stove and a bio-gas plant and that the project will be completed within a year.

He, however, said some existing houses with thatched roof and slates will be preserved as museums.

The construction project was jointly inaugurated by local residents and representatives of the donor organisations on Friday.

Mani Chaulagain, a member of a local social organisation, said they will construct the model houses after quake-damaged houses. “We will use bricks and cement in constructing house,” he said.

Locals have also formed a village construction committee led by Bishnu Gurung, chairperson of local Thanimai mothers’ group.

Rainaskot Tourism Development Committee Chairman Khadka Bhahadur Gurung said they plan to use the model houses for home stay.