Pokhara, April 12

Work to protect human settlements that have come under risk due to the massive earthquake of last year and prevent landslides and floods have been hampered because of lack of fund.

Citing the need to prevent landslides and protect human settlements, district Soil Conservation Office of Kaski had written to the concerned authorities, seeking a fund of 50 million rupees.

According to Information Officer Bishnu Pokharel of the office, not a single penny has reached them so far to enable them to start work.

“We have learnt that National Planning Commission had sanctioned only 12.9 million rupees for the same work,” he said.

“The plight, however, is that the amount is yet to reach us three months after the fund was sanctioned. We are thus unable to start any work,” Pokharel lamented, fearing that the condition in the affected villages will get worse once the monsoon starts.

Pokharel informed that the sanctioned amount is for the protection of 5,200 houses that need to be protected from natural calamities like floods, landslide and tremors.

“Similarly, of the total 130 landslides, we will use the budget to control 30 of the landslides that are posing risk to human settlements,” he added.

Many places like Dhikur Pokhari, Rupakot, Hansapur, Sarangkot, Bhadaure Tamagi, Thumki Dhital and Deurali developed cracks after the earthquake.

The torrential rain and landslides and floods that ensued also affected many places such as Lumle, Chapakot, Dhampus, Salyan, Sildjure and Hemja.

According to Pokharel, preparations are also under way to seek a further 90 million rupees for the conservation of lakes as well as catchment areas of the lakes.