The Khahare Khola Trail Bridge project was completed in March 2014. This project created a bridge across the Khahare Khola (river) which separates Nunthala from 5 smaller villages in the Solukhumbu area of Nepal. During the monsoon season this river floods, often carrying away the previous wooden bridge and leaving the people of the smaller villages cut off from the secondary school, clinic, businesses and friends in Nunthala.
The new bridge will keep villagers connected, and it will eliminate the cutting of large trees for replacement bridges in an area where deforestation is a serious problem. In the remote areas of Nepal, people rely on wood for cooking. The new steel cable foot bridge is 171 feet (57 meters) long with a walkway width of about 42 inches (106 cm). The freeboard (or height of the bridge above the river) is at least 50 feet (16.8 meters), assuring the safe crossing of villagers in Taksindu VDC wards 4 and 5 all year round.
The Project Rationale according to the Engineering Report from 2012 stated, “At present, the beneficiary community is deprived of safe river crossing. There is one bridge in the area which is in bad condition. The Khahare Khola over which the bridge is proposed is fordable for 6 months only, leaving the two banks physically detached from each other for 6 months. With the construction of the proposed bridge, the locals will have year round river crossing facility saving 2.5 hours of their productive time in each trip.”
Agriculture and livestock are the major occupation of the area. Maize, potato, and wheat are the main agro-products , and buffalo, cows, ox, goats, etc. are the major livestock. Besides, few people are in government jobs or foreign employment. It is agriculture that dominates the local economy. The new bridge will increase the access for agro-products, especially from the left bank to Hewa on the other bank and then to Takshindu, the local economic center. The bridge also increases access for students from the HewaVillage and the NunthalaVillage to the High School at Takshindu VDC ward no. 5.
“The (proposed) bridge will increase the access of locals to Takshindu and Nunthala Bazar, the local economic center, public services, and economic opportunities. The bridge will also increase the possibility of tourism. Hence, the bridge will result in positive outcomes for the people of the influence area.” The Socio-economic Appraisal goes on to say, “Takshindu, Hewa and Nunthala are the settlements that will benefit from the bridge. It directly serves 181 households, comprised of a total of 1604 people.
The site for the bridge was deemed stable and sound, and the landowners on both sides donated land for the bridge. The final quote from the Engineering Report sums it up wonderfully. “The community is excited and committed to take over the project during construction and maintenance.” This bodes well for the present as well as the future.” The foundation work for the bridge began in fall 2013. Materials came from Kathmandu by truck and then on foot. Many villagers helped, and Chhongba Sherpa oversaw the work.
Based on an exchange rate of NRs 80 per USD, one foot of bridge cost $190 – $200. The estimated total cost for the entire bridge project was $40,000. The goal TARA Foundation was to raise $20,000.
A Swiss group headed by Chhongba Lama and Lhakpa Temba Sherpa funded a portion of this project. The TARA Foundation and the Swiss group split the cost 50/50. The hope was to have the bridge ready in March 2014 before the monsoon season starts.
TARA Foundation USA is pleased to announce we achieved our fundraising goal and the bridge was completed on time! This slide show shows before and after shots of the area and bridge as well as work in progress shots.
The MISSION of the TARA FOUNDATION USA is to improve the lives of people living in the Himalaya and help them to preserve their traditional culture.
Our logo, the Endless Knot, represents eternal love and friendship, as well as the inter-twining of wisdom and compassion. For our foundation and the work we do, it is a reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and their actions. Everything we do matters.
What you do matters. You too can help. Please consider making a donation to the TARA Foundation USA. TARA Foundation USA is a 501c3 organization. 100% of all donations go directly towards helping in the Himalaya.
For more information about the TARA Foundation USA and the work we do:
www.tarafoundationusa.org
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