Valley
Citizen initiative for reconstruction
People from all walks of life, including doctors, engineers, policy makers, entrepreneurs, artists and journalists have joined forces with the citizen initiative to develop Pilachen in Lalitpur as a cultural and heritage tourism product.People from all walks of life, including doctors, engineers, policy makers, entrepreneurs, artists and journalists have joined forces with the citizen initiative to develop Pilachen in Lalitpur as a cultural and heritage tourism product.
Pilanchen, a Newari village with rich culture and archaeological importance, was one of the areas worst hit by the April 25 earthquake last year in the Lalitpur
Sub-metropolitan City inside Kathmandu Valley.
The Pilanchen Reconstruction and Tourism Promotion Project, scheduled for a launch on Saturday, aims to support the reconstruction works through public-private partnership.
“Pilachen is home to indigenous Newars and rich Newari culture and architecture, but saw severe damage to ancient housing structures and culture. The proposed project aims to benefit the local through reconstruction works focusing on developing it as a model of a sustainable tourist destination,” said former vice-chair of the National Planning Commission Govind Raj Pokharel, one of the
representatives of the citizen initiative.
The project is expected to help locals rebuild 82 houses in the area that would have a local touch, including the ancient architecture, with modern infrastructure required to attract tourists in the area. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 460 million, 25 percent of which will be funded the citizen initiative. It is expected to be completed within the next two years.
On Thursday, global friends of Tilganga led by Dr Sanduk Ruit committed Rs40 million for the project.
At a time of very high cynicism, this effort certainly gives hope, said former member of the NPC Swarnim Wagle, adding that it would be a model that can be replicated elsewhere.