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Strong structures are necessary for any community’s security against future shocks. The project has addressed the need for disaster-resilient infrastructure: shelters, toilets, and roads. Beyond this first layer of safety, access to services such as drinking water, irrigation, and health are essential for post-disaster recovery and long-term development. Further, the introduction of information technology for practical uses can catalyse growth, whereas the application of environment-friendly home systems and practices allow for continued self-sustenance. Therefore, to make Dhungentar a resilient mountain village, this pilot demonstration project emphasised on improving access to fundamental services and creating a self-reliant village.
During construction of the Dhand-Archale trail road, a traditional irrigation canal was obstructed. Hence, a new irrigation canal (length = 16 m; width = 0.58 m) was constructed along the trail to regulate irrigation of nearby lands. An HDP pipe (pressure = 2.5 kg/cm3 ; diameter = 6″; length = 5 m) was also installed for cross-drainage.
A one-day survey on community health and personal hygiene was conducted by students of Trishuli Medical College in February 2018 to identify areas of action. According to the 2016 social survey conducted by the project as well as a one-day survey on community health by Trishuli Medical College, rheumatoid arthritis, blood pressure, and asthma were found to be common health problems among Dhungentar locals. With the nearest hospital 7 km away in Battar and the nearest health post 2 km away in Khadka Bhanjyang, there was an acute need for a health clinic within the settlement for basic health check-ups and first aid. Hence, a two-room, 294 sq. ft. health clinic was constructed next to the multipurpose community centre in Dhand. In coordination with local government bodies, a trained medical expert will be placed on duty at the health clinic.
In today’s rapidly advancing technological landscape, access to and familiarisation with modern technological capacities is essential. Understanding the needs of the Dhungentar community and gradually introducing appropriate technologies can not only make daily activities more convenient but also promote growth and learning among the younger generation.
Accordingly, to increase access to basic services, e-Sewa, a Nepalese e-commerce company, recruited Samikshya B.K. as a local vendor. B.K., who also works as a social mobiliser for the project, offers online payment services such as mobile phone recharge, TV subscription payment, utilities payments, and travel bookings. In this manner, access to various other services can also be offered in due course of time, allowing Dhungentar to transform into a smart village.
Moreover, four Dell computers donated by World Distribution Nepal were set up at the project field office in Dhungentar for the purpose of providing informal training to the social mobilisers. These computers will later be placed in the multipurpose community centre for use by locals. To facilitate learning and communication, Nepal Telecom has set up a Wi-Fi hotspot in the community centre. Expanding capabilities in this way can modernise the community and improve access to knowledge and services exponentially.
“So many locals approach me these days to recharge their mobile phone account or pay their monthly TV charges. People used to go all the way to Battar for these services; it takes almost 2 hours if you walk. I provide e-Sewa services here as a vendor, and they’re all happy they can get work done here. Oh it’s quite easy to do: you have an account that you have to log into, just like Facebook...” - Samikshya B.K., Archale
A wide variety of saplings donated by Dabur Nepal were distributed throughout the settlement to improve the vegetation, mitigate landslides, and provide new sources of nutrition and income generation in the long run. Fruit trees and plants such as lychee, pineapple, pomegranate, papaya, lime, macadamia nut, and flowering plants such as globe amaranth, marigold, and chrysanthemum have been planted by landowners in available spaces. On World Environment Day 2018, an event was organized during which more than two hundred trees of various species provided by Dabur Nepal were planted at landslide-prone areas by Bidur Municipality local government leaders, NGO partners of the project, and community members.
Periodic clean-up campaigns are organised by the Aamasamuha, with community members volunteering for the activity. The Aamasamuha attempts to raise awareness on the importance of proper waste management and the adoption of environment-friendly practices. 20 communal dustbins were placed throughout the settlement for better waste disposal and a cleaner community. Each household in Dhungentar also received a smaller dustbin for domestic waste disposal.
To promote clean energy usage, the project has installed biogas plants in Dhungentar, with households receiving labour assistance and construction material equivalent to NPR 15,000 from the project, in addition to government subsidy. Households constructing toilets (using interlocking compressed stabilised soil blocks) along with biogas plants were given NPR 50,000 by the project. Further, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (GACC) conducted an open session on the environmental and health benefits of the community-wide use of clean fuel. Local community members were informed about the benefits of smoke-free kitchens and clean cookstoves and the applicability of the technology in rural settings.
The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) was involved in promoting solar solutions in Dhungentar. Three solar lamps (3 W each) were distributed to each household in a bid to promote solar energy. Further, 75 solar street lamps were set up across the settlement. These solar lamps operate on two 1,200 W solar panels.
Promoting environment-friendly and self-sustaining households
Rainwater harvesting system in the model house
Parabolic solar cooker
In an attempt to encourage households in Dhungentar to adopt environment-friendly practices in daily household management, this project constructed a model house that showcases an integrated system of water, energy, and farm management. The model house was constructed for Til Kumari Sunar, a widow living alone in Mathillo Dhand, to support a particularly vulnerable beneficiary and encourage her to champion modern, cost-effective practices for daily household tasks.
The three-room house has been constructed using interlocking compressed stabilised soil blocks (CSSBs), which were locally produced, utilise soil found in Dhungentar, and are eco-friendly since they are not fired during production. This technology is also disaster-resilient and cost-effective. The biogas plant installed in the model house reduces dependence on firewood and creates a clean cooking environment. This considerably lowers expenses on liquefied petroleum gas and is a sustainable, clean alternative because Til Kumari possesses cattle, which provide manure for biogas production. The biogas plant helps in waste management, and its by-product (slurry) can be used as an organic fertiliser.
Various solar-powered technologies (installed with support from the Center for Rural Technology Nepal (CRT/N)) are operated at the model house, providing clean alternatives and lowering costs. A parabolic solar cooker is used for basic cooking and boiling water, and a solar dryer is used to dry and preserve food items. Three solar lamps (3 W each) donated by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) supplement lighting in the house and are particularly useful since power outages are common in Dhungentar.
Til Kumari has an organic farm where she uses plastic tunnels and drip-feed irrigation to maximise yields. Water for irrigation is stored in two ways: rain water is harvested and stored in a tank and domestic waste water is stored in a plastic-lined pond. These storage methods are particularly important during the dry season. Using slurry from the biogas plant as an organic fertiliser, fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, bean, round chilli, lettuce, leafy mustard, okra, bitter gourd, and snake gourd are grown in the farm. Any surplus produce after domestic consumption is sold in Dhungentar or nearby settlements.
These self-sufficient and innovative technologies show the way forward for post-disaster recovery and resilience building. With Til Kumari Sunar demonstrating on a daily basis how clean technologies can be practically adopted and resources optimised for securing livelihoods, this house can serve as a replicable model of sustainable lifestyle for households in Dhungentar and other earthquake-affected regions in Nepal.
