Kathmandu, November 21

A report submitted to the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation by a task force formed to supply timber and firewood to earthquake-affected districts has estimated that at least 51,824,121 cubic feet of logs would be required for reconstruction of structures damaged or destroyed in the recent earthquakes.

According to the report, the stated volume of timbers will be necessary for recovery and reconstruction of private houses, government building, schools, temples and heritage sites in 40 earthquake-affected districts.

As many as 8,978 people were killed, 605,282 private and government buildings fully damaged and 288,261 houses damaged in the recent earthquakes. Fourteen of the most-affected districts share more than 90 per cent of the casualty and property damage.

Of the estimated volume of timber, 15,923,504 cu.ft (31 per cent) and 3,59,00,617 cu.ft (69 per cent) would be allocated to the urban and rural areas respectively, based on the degree of devastation.

As timber from partially or fully damaged structures could be reused, the task force headed by joint secretary Resham Bahadur Dangi of the MoFSC estimated volume of timber required for reconstruction accordingly.

“A rough calculation shows that around 50 cu.ft logs will be required for reconstruction of destroyed houses each while damaged houses will need 20 cu.ft logs in the rural areas,” it said. The government will have to allocate around 100 and 80 cu.ft logs for destroyed and damaged houses each respectively.

Similarly, it is estimated that a destroyed and damaged government building will require 100 and 80 cu.ft logs respectively for reconstruction. “On reconstruction of school classrooms, each of the destroyed and damaged ones will need 20 and 10 cu.ft logs respectively,” it said.

As many as 19,616 schools were affected by the earthquakes in 40 districts. According to statistics, 19,616 classrooms were destroyed and 10,894 others damaged in the earthquakes.

The report said at least 200 cu.ft logs will be required for the recovery and reconstruction of damaged or destroyed temples and heritage sites.