A majority of the earthquake-displaced families on the northern belt of Dhading are found crushing pebbles in Dhadingbeshi, the district headquarters of Dhading, to eke out a living. 

Around 300 quake-displaced families from Ri, Tipling, Sertung, Jharlang, Lapa, among other VDCs, are living in the temporary shelters at Damgade, Paharechautara, Sankosh and Rayotar areas, according to the Earthquake Displaced Camp Management Committee. Some of them are also working as daily wagers in hotels and shops. 

Kanchhi Tamang of Thulogaun in Lapa-6 said 150 families are making a little money by crushing pebbles on the banks of Thoppal stream in Dhadingbeshi. She said they sell a sackof crushed pebbles for Rs60.

Locals have raised concern about degradation of the stream due to haphazard extraction of stones from its bed. “The stream has been lowered by about a metre now,” they said. 

The displaced families lamented that they have no other alternatives than crushing pebbles in the district headquarters as the government has delayed to resettle them. 

Eighty-six-year-old Phulmaya Tamang, of Lapa-5, said she is crushing pebbles to maintain two square meals a day. 

“It’s very hard to live in the district headquarters without money. We don’t have farmlands to work here,” she said. Children are also found crushing pebbles on the banks of the stream. 

Prasta Bahadur Tamang of Jharlang said he is the sole breadwinner in the family and is compelled to do the job to feed his family members.