KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 26
The restoration of five ponds has rekindled hope for both cultural revival and sustainable water usage in Solukhumbu.
Director of Institute of Forestry Dr Rajesh Kumar Rai and Sajjan Regmi, a research officer at South Asia Institute of Advanced Studies, recently travelled to Nechasalyan Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu in September to monitor and evaluate the SoluWaTree project which was implemented in Nechasalyan three years ago.
They visited every place of the project site and recorded response from the villagers and local leaders. Despite the initial years being affected by the COV- ID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, it has impressed them with drastic outcomes in the past three years. The project has restored natural ponds, improved shedding, trained the farmers, established fruit and tree nurseries and aimed to make this village 'climate smart' now.
In the heart of Solukhumbu, the SoluWaTree Project has breathed new life into the region by restoring its sacred ponds and reviving the cherished Mela culture that had faded with time.
"For generations, these ponds held deep religious significance and were vital to sustaining life in the region, " says Sajjan Regmi.
"They became the backdrop for the auspicious celebrations of Janai Purnima. However, as the ponds dried up, the culture began to wane," he said.
"Hope seemed distant for the people of Solukhumbu who couldn't envision the restoration of their beloved ponds. In fact, locals had resorted to playing football in the areas once occupied by sacred ponds like Phurke."
In 2020, the SoluWaTree Project embarked on a journey of restoration. They provided training to the farmers and launched afforestation programmes in collaboration with the local authorities.
By 2023, they had successfully rejuvenated five ponds, including Bedikhore water pond, Tinkanya Water pond, Khune water pond, Suke water pond and Phurke Pond, using a waterproof clay liner that was ten inches thick, according to Regmi.
The pond was carefully restored to its original shape and plans are afoot to connect it to an irrigation canal. This is going to provide the local farmers with the opportunity to cultivate off-season crops, further enhancing the pond's utility for the community.
"The transformation was remarkable.
The Mela culture, once thought lost, made a triumphant return with celebrations during Krishnashtami and Janai Purnima in Bedikhore pond and Phurke pond," Regmi said.
Locals eagerly participated, spending an average of Rs 1,500 per person during these festivities.
Jhankri (exorcists) resumed their special dances and rituals, filling the air with joy and spirituality.
The revival of the ponds has not only brought back cultural traditions but also addressed the pressing issue of water scarcity, especially during the dry seasons of April and May.
Locals now believe that the ponds in the region have been recharged, offering hope for a more sustainable future.
SoluWaTree Project and Nechasalyan Rural Municipality have been collaborating to safeguard Solukhumbu's heritage and water resources, breathing new life into the community and preserving their cherished culture.
Recognising the critical importance of these ponds, locals have requested the installation of fencing to safeguard and preserve these cherished water bodies.
"This success story highlights the importance of restoring such ponds in hill regions, where they sustain the livelihoods and hold deep religious significance," Regmi claimed.
"The government and international agencies should take heed to that end, recognising the integral role these ponds play in the lives and heritage of local communities.
By preserving these sacred waters, we protect a way of life that has endured for centuries," he suggested.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 27, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
