Ghandruk village profile, "A study of Culture Resource Management"

GHANDRUK VILLAGE PROFILE CULTURE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Submitted by: Amit Pokhrel Regd.No: 035-3-3-03881-2012 M.Sc. Urban design & Conservation (MSC06908) Khwopa Engineering College, Bhaktapur (Purbanchal University) Batch: 2012-2014

Statuary Publication This document is the sole publication of the Author. Any misuse and the mis-interpretation of this document by anyone, author does not take the responsibility for the same.

Submission date: 06/06/2014

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First and foremost we offer our sincerest gratitude to our respected teacher, Dr. Ramesh raj Kunwar, who have supported throughout our field trip.

We offer our sincerest gratitude to the Department of Urban design and Conservation, Khwopa engineering college, for arranging our field trip.

We would like to express our gratitude to our friends for their possible support in team work and their suggestion to complete this work in time.

Finally we offer our sincerest gratitude to the people of Ghandruk village and their support which helped us to cross all the hurdles coming in our work.

Amit Pokhrel Regd.No: 035-3-3-03881-2012 M.Sc. Urban design & Conservation Khwopa Engineering College, Bhaktapur (Purbanchal University) Batch: 2012-2014

Table of Contents Village profile of Ghandruk 1. Historical Background 2. Geographical Condition 3. Development Pattern of Ghandruk 4. Caste System in Ghandruk 5. Social Status in Ghandruk 6. Cultural Heritage and situation of Conservation in Ghandruk 7. Traditions and Culture 8. Source of Income 9. Important aspect from the Tourism point of view a. Traditional Settlement b. ACAP-Himalayan range c. Religion d. Conservation Management and e. Development 10. Situation of Hotels and Homestay 11. Situation of Tourist visiting yearly in Ghandruk VDCs 12. Behavior of local people in Ghandruk VDCs 13. Situation of accessibility of roads 14. Most important to do in Tourism development 15. Small and Cottage Indusries 16. Building Architecture 17. Formation of Committee’s in Ghandruk VDCs a) School Management Committee b) Health-post Management Committee c) Electricity Management Committee d) Mul Aama Samuha Committee e) Hotel Management Committee f) Mules Management Committee g) Conservation Management Commitee h) Youth and Rodi club Management Committee i) Volunteer Management Committee j) Saving and Loan group Management Committee

18. Household Survey (Questionnaire Input Survey) 19. Ghandruk village from the Urban design point of view 20. Ghandruk village from the Tourism point of view 21. Ghandruk Borders 22. Ethnic composition of Ghandruk’s inhabitants 23. Households and population by Village development committee’s 24. Households by ownership of house/housing unit in use 25. Households by foundation of house/housing unit.

26. Number of School in Ghandruk VDCs 27. Number of Hotels in Ghandruk VDCs PRPARGOILBIB PIRACRTO LIDIRLBDLIIB

LOCAL TERMINOLOGY OTHERS

CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Village profile of Ghandruk

Ghandruk is a small and culturally rich village situated at the northwest of Pokhara city. It is the entry‐point to both Annapurna and Machhapuchre mountains. It is a popular tourist destination, stop‐over for trekkers and representative of Gurung culture with an old‐world charm. The distance covered to reach the Ghandruk village development committee from Pokhara submetroplitan city is 53 km north. It is at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level. Though mainly inhabited by the Gurungs, Ghandruk has a heterogeneous population ‐ Kamis, Magars, Sarkis, Damais, Brahmins, Chhetris, Newars and Rais. In addition to tourism, other sources of economy are agriculture, hotels & homestay and civil service like police and military.

The village has now been declared headquarters of Annapurna Conservation Project as it is situated along the popular Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking Area. The village offers excellent views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchre and Himalachuli peaks. It is accessible after a five hours trek from Birethanti, which lies along Pokhara-Baglung road.

Ghandruk Village Development Committee Profile 1. Historical Background The history shows that the Ghandruk village was first situated at Parbat districts which is the remote village and now found to be in Kaski districts. It was found that the ancestors of Ghandruk were arrived from Mongolia linking with Tibet to Kobang, Mustang to Lamjung and settled in Ghandruk. The name Ghandruk is originated from Kon’raa which means uphill settlement or nearby uphill. In Nepali language, it can be termed as Daadanko Basti or Daanda Neri. The Ghandruk word is not of Gurung culture nor it is in the dictionary of Gurungs. The word Ghandruk came from Nepali language as people speaking Taada (far), Ghana (compact) and door (distance) and the terminology converted into Ghandruk. Actually it is known as Kon’raama which means Daandako basti known as Ghandruk. From ghana rukh (compact tree), the word is set as Ghandruk.

(Source: Local people of Ghandruk village) At earlier years, there was a tradition of throwing mud liquid to Dalit people before entering to the house.

The distance covered to reach the Ghandruk village development committee from Pokhara sub-metroplitan city is 53 km north. It is at a high altitude of 2050 meters above sea level or 6765 feet from sea level. It is accessible after a five hours trek from Birethanti, which lies along Pokhara-Baglung road. At Northern side, Machhapuchre, Hiuchuli, Gangapurna-Annapurna mountains are found. The administrative as well as the geographical boundaries of Ghandruk VDC’s is Modi khola, whereas at West-Deurali Rani Dandaa and Daangsing Sikh; at North-Annapurna mountain and at South- Maadi Dovan, Saandi khola. The total area covered by Ghandruk is 109810-13-1-0. (Source: Village profile of Ghandruk-2067 BS)

2. Geographical Condition Location The Ghandruk VDC’s lies at N 28° 22̍ 35.3̎ and E 83° 48̍ 28̎. It is at an altitude of 2050 meters above mean sea level. And it is counted as a most popular trekking destination situated at the northwest of Pokhara, Annapurna Region.

The western slope of the Annapurna range on which the village is situated faces east and extends toward the bank of the Modi River. The VDC area stretches north to the Annapurna range and to Dansing and Sikha VDCs in the west, while Modi Dovan and Sandi Khola lies in the south. The mountain tops from Ghandruk towards Ghorepani and from Ghorepani to Ulleri are covered with dense forests. Ghandruk village consists of seven small villages such as Kotgaun, Majhgaun, Dhyagoyargaun, Adbadaiyayargaun, Tallogaun, Dandagaun and Gairigaun.

The geographical conditions of Ghandruk VDC’s is remote with fragile compositions, stone paved, high hill, low hill with rivers, steep slope, rhododendron forest and inaccessibilty of bitumen road provision. There was a provision of stone paved and a foot trail, from the very begining from 1960 when tourist came for trekking from Pokhara. In today’s condition, from Pokhara to Birenthati and Birenthati to Dhaamle, there is a facility of transportation services like bus, jeep, car and mules. And for ACAP (Annapura Conservation Area Project), there was a foot trail from the begining period. The conditions is weak, with marginality and accessibility is very poor in these regions.

Eastern side: Lumle VDC’s-Laandruk, ward no.09 Southern side: Daakshin VDC’s Western: Myagdi North: Annapurna 3. Development Pattern of Ghandruk At first there was no development in Ghandruk VDC’s. There was not any provisions of basic services such as electricity, watersupply, secondary schools, health-post, policepost. After Maoist revolution in 2052 B.S, police-post was established. To find the water source, local people have to walk 15 minutes down at Ghendro to fill their buckets for the

purpose of drinking and other household purpose. Offices were in Kushma, at first Ghandruk is in Parbat district and in today’s context Saandhi khola means the boundary line of Ghandruk and Ghandruk was merged in Kaski districts.

The development pattern of Ghandruk has almost changed. There are many hotels and homestay found in the Ghandruk village today. Schools, health-post, watersupply, electrcity generated from Micro-Hydel plants and accessibilty of transportation from Nayapool to Birenthati and from Birenthati to Dhaamle and from Dhaamle, Mules (Khachad) is also the means of transportation to reach Ghandruk village.

4. Caste System in Ghandruk Though mainly inhabited by the Gurungs, Ghandruk has a heterogeneous population �

Kamis, Magars, Sarkis, Damais, Brahmins, Chhetris, Newars and Rais.

5. Social Status in Ghandruk Mul Aama group (samuha), saving group, a socially active group especially working for lower people to generate income source from skill development trainings and helping poor people needs. Similarly ACAP has also played an important role to preserve the society and encouraging the local people to take participate in the skill based trainings and workshop to generate the income source and sustain their lives. Donors also support few amounts to the local people. The social status of Ghandruk did not change in the sense of gap between rich and poor. The upper village, mostly inhabited by Gurungs and other castes and the lower village known as Kami tole, Sarki tole and Dalit village which seems social discrimination is still presence in Ghandruk.

To preserve the social fabric of Ghandruk, government did not pay any attention.

Ghandruk is a A class village nominated from the International organization, but still lacks few provisions from the government side. When Maoist came to peace process in 2006, the ACAP and the police post was re-established in the Ghandruk village and from that period the local people made an agreement to ACAP and police post, if any problem persist in their village, they will solve their matter with talks and resolve their problems.

To preserve the original fabric of Ghandruk village, local people have tried their best to overcome such difficulties and from the conservation point of view too. The local people are found to be socially active, kind, helpful and caring in nature. Due to failure of local

bodies from 15/16 years, VDC’s is inactive, and hence to manage this regions, Conservation Management Committee (CMC) was formed. CMC deals not only with the problems relating to the VDC’s and conservation isues, but deals and work for the management of the total area.

6. Cultural Heritage and situation of Conservation in Ghandruk A good model of community-based conservation practiced in the locality of the Ghandruk village. The objects of cultural heritage are conserved in this area. The traditional dress of male includes Bhangro, Kamlo, Kachhad, Bhoto,Raadi-Paakhi, Istakot black, Black Vaadgaaule Topi, Khukuri and belt Sikgapuri are still conserved in this area.

Figure: Traditional Gurung dress of man and woman Traditional dress of the female includes a short blouse tied across the front and a short skirt of several yards of white cotton material wrapped around the waist and held as if a wide belt. The Gurung women wear cotton or velveteen blouse tied at the front and a sari of printed material usually a dark reddish colour. Their ornaments include gold and coral necklaces, gold earrings and nose rings and bangles. (The dress like Lungi Mugiya, Lungi Mugiya with Jari, Patuka, Makhmali cholo, Majetro, Ghalek, White Pachari, Tikis, Dhugri, Kanthasri, Jantar and Naugedi are still preserved in this area as one of their traditions and customs in this locality). Similary, the instruments like Flute, Maadal, Dhumpu, Girling, Jhurma, Sankha, Dhyangro, Karnaal and Damai Baja known as NauBaja are still preserved as a cultural heritage in this area.

To preserve and conserve the tangible and intangible cultural heritage, the active body known as Conservation Management Committee (CMC) is taking the responsibility of all aspect including natural heritage in the Ghandruk village. To preserve the traditional instruments of Damai Nau Baja, the CMC body is directly involved in historic preservation and became a part to pass a conservation process in conservation council.

People are mostly active in this area to preserve their culture, traditions, customs and natural heritage. People are mostly active to preserve their dress, instruments, their village form, and their traditional society. To protect from extinct, local people are mostly active to preserve their cultural heritage and tradition in Ghandruk village and in Annapurna conservation area.

7. Traditions and Culture The Gurungs are very colourful, happy and flirtatious people. A caste hierarchy divides the Gurung community into “Char jaat” and “Sor Jaat”, group of four and twelve clans respectively. They are distinctly endogamous groups, however are strictly exogamous clans. Traditionally they prefer cross-cousins marriage. Among some Gurungs, a small amount of compensation may be necessary if one wishes to avoid cross-cousins marriage.

The parallel cousins marriage is, however strictly prohibited.

Recently, however, the idea of romantic love has seeped into the mentality of youngsters.

This is a result of external influences, among them tourism and movies. The younger generation collectively views arranged marriages as obsolete. They prefer love marriages, where they can choose their own mates. Sometimes their own choosing results in intercaste and inter-community marriages.

They also have a tradition of “Rodi”, a club of boys and girls of similar group where dancing and singing is performed. This institution give them ample opportunities to know and understand each other and develop good communications. The environment in the Rodi is very flirtatious. The whole function is guided and held in the supervision of seniors. The Gurungs have very interesting dance tradition. They perform Sorathi, Ghado, Ghatu and others on one or many occasions. The dancing season generally starts on Shri Panchami day (On the fifth day of bright lunar fortnight some day in January or February) till the day of Chandi Purnima (some day in May or April).

In the realm of religion, the villagers perform life rituals and practice northern Buddhism.

They have institutionalized the post of the Lama (priest), Dhami and Jhankri (shaman and faith healer). Contact and advice seeking with the Brahmin-Chhetris are common, indicating the villagers ‘reverence for Hindu gods and goddesses. Meshram Baraha is the largest Baraha of the Gurung community and Mongolian community.

Compact settlement is the main characteristic of the Gurung society, reflected by their housing construction. The traditional houses are built of stones slabs, mud and timber.

For roofing, slate is used. The houses are rectangular in shape and are often two-storied.

Inside, there is a simple arrangement of just a kitchen and a bedroom.

8. Source of Income The income source of the Ghandruk village people are mainly based on agriculture, animal husbandry, tourism, services in the police and military, and engaging in their own proffesion to sustain their lives. Mostly over the total population, each one of the member has joined British army, Nepalease army, Indian army, Nepal police force. And mostly today, many people flew to the arabian countries for jobs for generating income source to sustain and protect their people lives in village from marginality ie. poverty.

The another source of income comes from the small and cottage industries and local merchandize run by the local people.

It has been estimated by the Trekking Agent Association of Nepal (TAAN) that out of 50,000 people involved in the tourism sector; about 10,000 are employed as porters in the trekking route to Annapurna and Jomsom. Many of them carry tourist luggage, while some work as guides. Apart from working as porters and guides, many people in the area Run small tea shops, cold drink stalls, and especially lodges.

According to the Season, tourist play an important role for the income source for the local people. If the number of tourist increases day by day , then its the better time to get the source of income by booking hotels and homestay from the International tourists and the local tourists.

There are two types of hotels which will help local people to generate the income source to sustain their lives and take care of their families. a. From Sinuwa to Annapurna Base Camp- Hotel of public places b. From Sitkai to Deurali- Hotel of public places c. From Chaamrung to Ghandruk village- Private hotels and homestay They grow rice, wheat, maize, millet, green vegetables, potatoes and organic tea farming.

The terraced farming is the norms. They also derive their subsistence from sheep breeding for meat and wool. Most of the Gurung families have, however, an important source of income; the pensions and salaries of the family members who are in the army. Among them, there still exist the legendary fighters of British Gorkha Regiment, who were honoured with Victoria Crosses for their bravery. The Dalit people depends upon the farming and daily labor and works as masons and the other people depends upon agriculture and in their proffesion to generate income source; and Mul Aama Samuha is also an acting body to help poor people specially for women who are lagging behind the societies and lacks skills and trainings.

9. Important aspect from the Tourism point of view There are mainly five things which are the most important aspects from the tourism point of view. They are:a. b. c. d. e.

Traditional Settlement ACAP-Himalayan range Religion Conservation Management and Development

a. Traditional Settlement Ghandruk village is the traditional settlement composed of different caste but inhabited mostly by Gurungs. It’s an oldest settlement found in the Kaski region.

The Compact settlement is the main characteristic of the Gurung society, reflected by their housing construction. The traditional houses are built of stones slabs, mud and timber. For roofing, slate is used.

The houses are rectangular in shape and are often two-storied. Inside, there is a simple arrangement of just a kitchen and a bedroom. The village is a unique combination of living arrangement of homestay and traditional hotels with facilities. At earlier years, there was a oval shape building (Ghumaune ghar or Gol ghar-made up of straw and wood) found in the Ghandruk village. Every building posses large farming land, and people only used to depends upon agriculture and civil service like military and police.

Due to lack of wooden material for their house purpose, people are choosing to build RCC and concrete buildings inside the Ghandruk region.

Figure: Traditional Settlement of Ghandruk village

b. ACAP-Himalayan range Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is located in the Western Development Region of Nepal. It was established in 1986 to protect the natural environment and to promote tourism through community participation. ACAP is Nepal’s biggest protected area, and includes some of the world’s highest peaks, deepest gorge, most popular trekking destination, and rich biological, geographic, socioeconomic and cultural diversity.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is the largest undertaking of National Trust for Natural Conservation (NTNC) and also the first Conservation Area and largest protected area in Nepal. It covers an area of 7,629 sq. km. and is home to over 100,000 residents of different cultural and linguistic groups. ACAP is rich in biodiversity and is a treasure house for 1,226 species of flowering plants, 102 mammals, 474 birds, 39 reptiles and 22 amphibians.

Other features that also make the Annapurna region a unique the country is due to the fact that it has one of the deepest Kali Gandaki Gorge, which is 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, a valley with fossils from the Tethys Sea dating 60 million years ago. The region contains the world’s largest rhododendron forest in Ghorepani and the world’s highest lake, Tilicho in Manang, south of the Annapurna massif.

The biological diversity of the Annapurna region is equally rivaled cultural diversity. Gurung and Magar are the dominant groups in the south, whereas Thakali, Manange and Loba are dominant in the north. Each of these groups speaks their own dialect, and has unique cultures and traditions. Besides, there are also Brahmin, Chhetris and other occupational castes although in comparatively smaller numbers. Hindu, Buddhist and pre-Buddhist religions along with a mixture of all these are prevalent across the region. The local people reside in the 5 districts of the 57 Village Development Committees (VDCs) of the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA).

Detail Information Annapurna Conservation Area Project, guest lecture by Mr.Shyam Gurung in Ghandruk (Baisakh 15th 2071) 14 years of experience in conservation and preservation,ACA

Figure: ACAP, Ghandruk The multifaceted problems of ACA have been addressed through an integrated, community based conservation and development approach, an experimental model which has been in the vanguard of promoting the concepts of “Conservation Area” through an “Integrated Conservation and Development Programme” approach in the country and abroad.

Additionally, ACA is the first protected area that has allowed local resident to live within the boundaries as well as on their private property and maintain their traditional rights and access to the use of natural resources.

It is also the first protected area, which has refrained from using army assistance to protect the dwindling natural resource base on which the region depends.

Instead, it invests whatever financial resources available for community development and social capital building in the region.

NTNC receives no regular funding support from the government for the operation of ACAP, but has been granted the right to collect entry fees from visiting trekkers. One hundred percent of the revenue is ploughed back to implement conservation and development activities in ACA. Additional funds are raised from national and international donors. This is an exemplary achievement of a Non-Government Institution ability to manage a signifi cant portion of the protected area system in Nepal.

In Nepal, the concept of National Trust for Natural Conservation was started from the concept brought from Yellow National Park in North to United States and

Canada in 1872. The idea is to preserve Biodiversity, which became a successful model to create Royal Chitwan National Park as the protected area.

Historical Background  Compact jungles with no human settlement activities was there in 1950 AD in Nepal.  2027 BS, Foresty and land-conservation ministry look after it.  23% of land is declared as protected area from Nepal’s total area.  When declared to preserve the wild life and natural conservation, mostly local people and army men confront each other at that times.  In 2039 BS, the Royal government established for the first time known as National Trust for Natural Conservation (NTNC).  After that, King Birendra in 2042 BS went to western region to understand the objectives of the surrounding area, and after analysing all the situation, for the development, management and protection of the biodiversity, King Birendra gave the suggestion and NTNC reacted as fast and send scholars and researchers in this area to find actual reasons for the protection of biodiversity, development and management of this area. Dr. Chandra Prasad Gurung, Brown Covert and Mingma Norbu Sherpa visited the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) and works are carried out as research and withdraw conclusion. ACAP was first tested as a pilot Program in the Ghandruk Village Development Committee (VDC) in 1986. After being notified in the Gazette as a “Conservation Area” in 1992, ACAP’s Program covered the entire area.  The local people reside in the 5 districts of the 57 Village Development Committees (VDCs) of the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA).  National level strategy was carried out for the protected area management.  In technical part, donors country like USA, UK, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Netherland helped for the preservation, conservation and management.

Mission statement of National Trust for Natural Conservation (NTNC) To promote, conserve and manage nature in all its diversity balancing human needs with the environment on a sustainable basis for posterity - ensuring maximum community participation with due cognizance of the linkages between economics, environment and ethics through a process in which people are both the principal actors and beneficiaries.

Figure: The guiding principle showing the management NTNC.           

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Total Sq. Km in area:7,629 from M.S.L 1000 to 8091 high altitude Lowest altitude: Lamjung; highest Annapurna I-8029 M Midpoint from East to West (Sangam sthal) Less area but rich in Biodiversity, 12 protected area with Kaligandaki gorge Caste and ethnic groups: 10 In 2013, number of Tourist visited is 1,12,000 (International tourists) 60-65% people come in Annapurna region only for trekking and hiking from the total tourist population Annapurna Base Camp; 50,000 Tourist In 5 districts, the total number of tourist visited is found to be 1,12,000, whereas in 5 days number of tourist is 15,000 Extinct mammals in Nepal: 27; there are 12 protected area with rich in biodivesity in 7,629 sq. km which is the largest conservation zone of Nepal.

420 settlement, 10 caste, total population: 1,00,000 (decreasing).

To compare and to show the relation how industrialization has destroyed the traditional core as well as the natural resource in Europe, the figure gives the clear meaning and hence there should be an effort for preserving natural resource and natural conservation.

 NTNC’s mission of promoting, managing and conserving nature in all its diversity in Nepal is supported by the following guiding principles: Always ensure a balance between human needs and the environment to guarantee long-term sustainability;

Always ensure maximum community participation with people recognized both as the actors and clients; and ensuring equity and gender sensitivity in all its work Always linking economic, environmental and ethical factors in conservation activities; Always managing operations based on sound business oriented principles (high quality work, efficiency, effectiveness, quick decision making based on facts/evidence, client oriented, responsive to environmental changes and requirements); Always working towards fostering strong partnerships with various stakeholders (community, Government, civil society and international stakeholders) so as to ensure quality in all its activities and conforming to client requirements; Always abiding by principles of good governance.

Balance Study Conservation

Development

Development program Conservation program

Education

Investigation Institutional development

(Trainings/ vocational training/ seminar/ workshop) (Formation of sub-committee, Aaama Samuha, Local development strategy, capacity building program etc.)

Awareness Higher education Training/ seminar Management/ Adult education ( Praud sikhsya)

Strategy to focus  Financial management, Tourism management, Unified foresty system,  Income source generation, Safer water, Micro-hydel power plants  Physical infrastructure provision: Road, Watersupply & Sanitation  Small bridge, rope way, schools, community centres, health-post

Program and Activities (NTNC Program Focus) Natural Resources Conservation Wildlife Conservation Conservation Education and Communication Alternative Energy Sustainable Community Development Eco-tourism Management Women Development Agriculture and Livestock Development Research and Monitoring Capacity Building Climate Change Urban Environment Conservation Heritage Conservation Historic Preservation of tangible and intangible artifacts Equal Acess Hospitality Management Reproductive health and family life education Cultural heritage preservation National Resource Conservation Programme Natural Resource Management Open Land Vegetation Wildlife Preservation There are 15 members working under VDCs Secretary in Natural resource management committee.

Alternative source of energy (Renewable energy): Less use of wood, Solar energy, Gobar gas, Electric gas stove, Gas cylinder, Stove etc., Micro-hydel project in Ghandruk village (16/17 in number) which helped to sustained the local community as well as to hotels for heating and lightning purpose.

Local people are more conscious and they are preserving the surrounding area by plantation Tree and other vegetations.

Conservation education, Awareness and Communication  Green force foundation in schooling level.  Awareness program from class 6, 7 and 8 as a conservation management and education.  In this area, there are 16 higher secondary school, 1 secondary school and 1 primary school  There is a scholarship awarded for Dalit students every year  Prinitng Pamphlets & Brocheres and distribution is done freely Tourism Management Program  Establishment of check post in diferent destination in National and International level.  Awareness of Tourism education and communication from local level.  Solid waste management.  Running encouragement program to promote the protected area.  Reducing negative impact and managing positive aspect in the conservation area by community based centres.  Reuse of material like organic biodegradable substance (Mal) and sending back to Pokhara for agriculture and farming.  Non-degradable substance like plastic bottle, can, glass, will be taken by the same hotel member who will bring the tourist in ACA, and the hotel member will be responsible for collecting all items and send back to the collection centre in Ghorepani or the next address.

Community Development Program  Physical infrastructure development program as roads, sanitation, safer drinking water etc., provision of basic services and facilities.  Community is more focus and active in alternative source of energy and ACAP is also helping local people in that program.

Agriculture and Pasture Development Program  Unified forest preservation strategy  Hybrid farming  Small and cottage industries, local merchandize  Organic tea farming and chemical farming  Cashcrops  Tea estate Equal Access and Development Program  Empowerment of women  Strategic planning focus for women  Sensitive analysis for targeted women group/ training/seminar  Adult literacy (Praud sikshya)  Cultural development program

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Aama Samuha Conservation and development: encouraging women in development field Domestication of animals like goat , cow and buffalo farming Skill development program like woolen carpeting, straw and bamboo products, plastic arts, wooden crafts and cutting & finishing of cotton clothes etc.  Environment action planning measures  Equal access in representing the development program in the protected area and in the locality in VDCs and Municipalities.

Heritage and Conservation Management Development Program  For example Upallo Mustang (upper mustang), Jharkot, Kaagbeni are those place which needs packages and should be conserved in terms of cultural and heritage conservation.  Trans-himalayan region: Mustang region, Manang region- desert arid system.  700 years ago, the Mustang traditional houses as well as temples are made from large tree with single rounded material.  There is a temple found in that locality where a Vishnu statue is made from the single hard stone.  If we all work together, then we can preserve our cultural and heritage to sustain it for a long time.  If people participate and active in local development, then preservation and conservation will be sustained which wil revive economic condition, social condition and we can go for progressing our social structure of the society.  ACAP is active by 2053 BS ruling manual (niyamabali), 2057 BS guidelines (nirdesika).  When Maoist revolution is there, ACAP was fully destroyed by blasting, after 2006 peace agreement between Maoist and the government, ACAP was rehab and then active again to give services.  ACAP was undertaken by the community and if others committe needed for welfare of the society then there is an agreement between local people to make available of those committee’s in near future.  Additionally, ACA is the first protected area that has allowed local resident to live within the boundaries as well as on their private property and maintain their traditional rights and access to the use of natural resources.  In order to manage ACA more effectively, it has been divided into 7 unit conservation offices - Jomsom, Manang and Lo-Manthang in the trans-Himalayan region and Bhujung, Sikles, Ghandruk, and Lwang on the southern flank of the Annapurna range.

 Under the heritage conservation program, activities are geared to preserve the existing culture arid heritage of the region. The activities include supporting local level traditions and festivals, repair and maintenance of religious shrines such as monasteries, temples and support for the operation of monastic schools.

Reproductive health and family life education  General and reproductive health program aims at delivering better approach to health care for the local people. Activities include conducting health camps and providing general health services to the local people in remote areas and where no regular health services are available.

Agriculture and Livestock Development  Agriculture and livestock development program is an important feature as many people in the region still depend on it. By the diversifying agriculture production and livestock to enhance the agriculture based rural income, activities under this program ranges from multipurpose nursery operation, introduction of fi eld tested improved varieties of crops through conservation farmers, promoting cash crops and fruit tree plantation at local level, improved breed selection and veterinary services are carried out.

Others  Women development program (WD) focuses on bringing the women, marginalized and socially outcast people in the conservation and development mainstream through the gender empowerment activities to enhance their participation in decision making and program implementation. Activities include enhancing their skills in income generations, providing opportunity for better education, capacity building and exposure tours and operation of daycare centers.  Conservation education and extension program (CEEP) aims at spreading the conservation awareness message to every part of the ACA and beyond. Different activities are organized to deliver the message of conservation and development through formal school education at grade 6, 7 and 8 with special curriculum, and, informal education such as, adult literacy classes and mobile awareness camps.

This is the backbone of ACAP program as it is based on the ethic that only education can change the attitude of people and through this program local people

as well as visitors are given series of awareness on the different approaches and programs undertaken in the Conservation Area.  The tourism management program aims to carefully balance between ecology, local livelihood needs and visitors’ satisfaction. The program gives high priority to reduce the negative impacts of tourism and enhance the positive impact. For this, visitors’ information centers and tourism check posts and eco museums are managed with different exhibits and information related to ACA, creating awareness on the minimum impact code for visitors, preparation of audio-visuals, sign posting and tourism related awareness camp conduction are some of the activities of this program. At local level, capacity enhancement of local people in managing tourism and tourism enterprise development activities are conducted.  Impact study is most to know the environmental issues and arrangement of preventive measures. To protect ecology and environment, there should be study and research.  Human settlement last station is Chomrung VDC’s Mul Aama Samuha  Mul Aama Samuha is most active in Ghandruk VDC’s mostly in ward: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Mul Aama group (samuha), saving group, a socially active group especially working for lower people to generate income source by giving skill development trainings and helping poor people needs.  Mostly active for the preservation of the protected area, working together for infrastructure provision and other environmental protection program.

Ghandruk: A model village, International award winning village; a win win project: ecotourism model c. Religion Religiously people of Ghandruk VDCs follow both Hinduism and Buddhism.

They worship the Hindu god and goddess as well as follow Buddhism too.

Meshram Baraha is one of the largest Baraha of the Gurung community and of the Mongolian community. The interesting thing is that, these Baraha is worshipped by most of the Hindu people in Ghandruk VDCs as well as nearby village people too.

This Meshram Baraha is worshipped twice yearly and people get blessed by the temple monk and by the seniors in that festival. Mostly people gather from different mongolian community to visit Meshram Baraha festival. Local people

and the different tribal mongolian community believe in Meshram Baraha and visit the Baraha and follow their traditions, customs and belief still today. Local people are following their traditions and culture from their ancestors period till today and passing their culture to the younger generation.

The Baraha is worshipped in a sacred day that is on any Tuesday of Chaitra or Baishak. It is a commonplace phenomenon to offer the deity at least one sheep or male goats accompanying with ten breads made from rice flour form each household. Every house is smeared with the mixture of red clay and cow dung and the person participating in the worship of deity has to wear new and sacred dress on this occasion. One this day, ploughing of land is not done by general consciousness and religious authority also prohibits ploughing of land on this day and people do not start there long journey on this day. When the whole villagers gather in the premise of Meshram Baraha deity, the spiritual leader of the village begins chanting mantras and begins offering homage, which is believed to bring goodness and opulence to the whole village of Ghandruk.

Actually Meshram Baraha Lake is situated at the high altitude of 10,000 feet, low oxygen pressure, above the mean sea level and it takes 1 day to reach from Ghandruk VDCs for local people and 1.5 days for visitors and tourists from Ghandruk. Meshram Baraha’s soil was collected from its original place-temple land and the soil was moved from its direction towards Ghandruk; after worshipping from the Priest Lama for several days, the temple was newly constructed in that locality (disha pahilaayera devsthal ko nirmaan).

By this way the Meshram Baraha temple was constructed and worshipped by the people of Ghandruk. Inclusive society of Ghandruk believe in their religion and respect each and every religion. Local people of Ghandruk celebrate different kinds of festival including Dashain & Tihar, Shri Panchami, Teez, and mostly all festivals of Hindu and Buddhism.

There is a belief that, at Meshram Baraha lake, when there is a storm comes and leaf used to fall in lake, then the sacred birds visit there and all leaf will be carried by the birds and not even a single piece of leaf will fall in that lake. Local people has their belief that the power of god is presence in that lake and taking care of the temple and lake. There is also a saying that if people go there for their wish by walking with purity thoughts, then the wish will be granted and he/she will be blessed by the god and he/she will be living their life happily together in their family.

Religiously, the most important and worshipped Baraha of the community people.

And whenever people do any harm to the Meshram Baraha temple near Meshram Baraha lake, then there is a saying that, village people of Ghandruk have to face of Snow storm, rainfall and others climatic effect.

d. Conservation Management Conservation education and extension program (CEEP) aims at spreading the conservation awareness message to every part of the ACA and beyond. Different activities are organized to deliver the message of conservation and development through formal school education at grade 6, 7 and 8 with special curriculum, and, informal education such as, adult literacy classes and mobile awareness camps.

To preserve the original fabric of Ghandruk village, local people have tried their best to overcome such difficulties and from the conservation point of view too.

The local people are found to be socially active, kind, helpful and caring in nature. Due to failure of local bodies from 15/16 years, VDC’s is inactive, and hence to manage this regions, Conservation Management Committee (CMC) was formed. CMC deals not only with the problems relating to the VDC’s and conservation isues, but deals and work for the management of the total area e. Development Development works are carried out in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) and in the Ghandruk VDCs and nearby locality from Nayapool to Birenthati to Dhaamle and nearby other village like Lumle, Chamrung etc. and near Sitkai and Deurali.

There are different kinds of development works are possible, from the phsical infrastructure to community development. In Ghandruk VDCs there are 17 microhydel power plants are established for the purpose of electricity, safer drinking water and solar panel fittings.

Under the community development program (CD), activities of community based infrastructures development works are carried out. Buildings ranging from school, CAMC offices, community halls, community lodges, day-care centre buildings, trails, railings, drinking water, irrigation canals, sanitation works are constructed and developed with active participation of the local community. Introduction of energy efficient community building using passive solar architecture technology for demonstration and providing safe drinking water using ozonation technology along the trekking routes are innovative role played by ACAP in technology dissemination and creating demonstration effects at the local level.

Women development program (WD) focuses on bringing the women, marginalized and socially outcast people in the conservation and development mainstream through the gender empowerment activities to enhance their participation in decision making and program implementation. Activities include enhancing their skills in income generations, providing opportunity for better education, capacity building and exposure tours and operation of daycare centers.

10. Situation of Hotels and Homestay There is a Tourism Management Committe (TMC) actively working to manage the hotels and homestay by applying equal rules and creating a same menu card for all hotels and homestay in Ghandruk VDCs and in ACA (Annapurna Conservation Area).

11. Situation of Tourist visiting yearly in Ghandruk VDCs There are mostly two season , tourist visiting to Ghandruk VDCs and Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). From the data available by ACAP office, Ghandruk, more than 50,000 tourists visit Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) and only in Ghandruk, 17,000 tourist come here to see the model village Ghandruk and trekking from here to Lumle, Chamrung, Sitkai, Deurali , Sinuwa to Annapurna Base Camp.

Two season: (In Nepalease Calendar)  Asoj, Kartik and Mangsir (September, October and November)  Falgun, Chaitra and Baisakh (February, March and April) 12. Behavior of local people in Ghandruk VDCs There are two kinds of behavior local people posses in Ghandruk VDCs. Social behavior and Cultural behavior. They follow their social system of fooding, drinking and dancing behavior in their locality.

Local people are still following their food culture like “Dhindo, Chhyang, Tumba, Wine (millet made or made up of damaged rice), Gundruk (drying green leafy vegetables) and Vatta (pea seeds- sibi and vatmash)”.

They ( local people) follow their cultural behavior still today and preserving their culture to pass to the next generation. First Tumba was in the wooden material, but due to scarcity of the wooden craftsmen who used to manufactured all that material, now a days Tumba is fill in copper material and they used to drink from that copper shape glass specially made for that purpose only.

Famous for nepali dish and variety of food culture in this area. Local people are found to be social, active, gentle, caring, helpful and they follow the same traditions as their ancestors used to follow and mostly the Gurungs are flitartious in nature.

13. Situation of accessibility of roads From Nayapool to Birenthati and from Birenthati to Dhaamle, there is a road provision with fragility in most part of the area. The road is curvilinear and have to face many difficulties travelling from Nayapool to Dhaamle. The situation of accessibilty of road is very weak in terms of linking the remote village like Ghandruk and other parts of the Annapurna Conservation Area.

There is a planning to make accessibilty of transportation services in the Ghandruk village by arranging the provision of gravel road or may be bituminous road from the local community of the Ghandruk VDCs. Managing the situation and understanding how the route will be possible from which area, so that to attract internal tourist and sustained their village in terms of development, income source, tourism, small and cottage industries and from income source generation. Local people believe that, if the transportation facility will be there, then their place will be more developed and all the people of Ghandruk village including Dalit village will sustain their lives in more better form, and all other development will reach their village.

14. Most important to do in Tourism development There is a concept of Park evolving in the society of Ghandruk VDCs which will help the local people to collect income source and a source for revenue generation. The local people are planning a park concept so that they can keep the tourist more than two days in their area and they can generate more income source so that the money which will be raised as revenue generation can be cashed into other developments like road provision, hospitals, training centres, museums, and the necessary basic services and amenities in their locality.

15. Small and Cottage Indusries In Ghandruk, the majority of people are from Gurung community. They are famous for their unique culture. They are now very much well aware and conscious of eco-tourism.

The local production are “Raadi, Paakhi, Alloko Bhangro, Ghoom�, woolen materials from sheeps, carpets made from woolen and other locally available material. Agriculture and foresty is also listed in Ghandruk VDCs. Trade, Restaurant and hotels with homestay are actively in this village. The skills are in extinct phase, to preserve the skills to make this kinds of material, it will be sustained if the concerned parties will pay attention otherwise the trend will be lost and difficult to make this dress in near future. At older days, the old people used to wear the clothes made from the above material as Sisnaako Bhangra, underwear etc.

16. Building Architecture In architecture people always use locally available materials. The people of Ghandruk make their house with stone, rock, mud, wood, cow – dung etc. These houses were made with slate and tin roofs and have two stories of which the upper storey is used for storage.

The courtyards are found in the front side of house and were found very clean.

There are water taps and sheds situated beside the house. Most of the houses have main door and the windows of the upper storey faced east and the height of the main door will be sort. Lightning rods, which look like Trishul (Trident), are also found on most houses to protect them from the thunder. Every house has a parapet.

They use the parapet for various activities such as rest, meeting people and gossiping.

They also use it to carry their own a cottage Industry work and also use for dinning. In the ancient time why did Gurung people make their main door of most of the houses very low? According to Min Bahadur Gurung there is a story behind this. The Gurung in those days believed in shamanism.

If the house entrance height is low then it would be difficult for anyone to enter the house without bending or bowing the head and there by evils would not be capable of bending their head and thus not enter the house from the gate while chasing people. Thus population of the low height main entrance-door existed due to the influence of this story.

But these days the architecture has changed. But still one will find small main door houses in Sikles village which has still been preserved 17. Formation of Committee’s in Ghandruk VDCs There are different committee’s working actively in Ghandruk village for the welfare of the society. They are: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j)

School Management Committee Health-post Management Committee Electricity Management Committee Mul Aama Samuha Committee Hotel Management Committee Mules Management Committee Conservation Management Commitee Youth and Rodi club Management Committee Volunteer Management Committee Saving and Loan group Management Committee

a) School Management Committee Mr. Chak Bahadur Gurung is the President of School Management Committee in Ghandruk VDCs. There are 18 members from all the wards. (wards 1 to 9). The main duties and resposibilities of this management committee is to:  To ensure that the main activity of teaching and learning takes place effectively in the institution  To ensure the rule of discipline within the institution  To plan and implement strategies for school improvement  To ensure the security and safety of all staff and students at school  To ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the school building and premises  To manage and supervise the staff working under him, ensuring that they are aware of and abide by official instructions  To act as the focal point for the school at large, including the close community  Setting up different sub-committees, attending and chairing meetings, attending to files and mail, organizing work, writing reports, supervising staff and administration of personnel matters, administration of student matters, including organization of examinations and enforcement of Rules and Regulations, management of human, financial, material and infrastructural resources, etc.  Promoting health standards, enhancing school environment, promoting culture and social values at school, developing partnership with the community b) Health-post Management Committee Mr. Shankar Bahadur Gurung is the President of Health-post Management Committee in Ghandruk VDCs. There are 11 general members from the Ghandruk VDCs. Good health is an important asset for every citizen to improve living standard. Healthy human resources are essential for an overall development. The health-post was established in 2025 BS. The main duties and resposibilities of this committee is to:  Strengthening and expanding equitable delivery of the Essential Health Care Services like first aids, accident injury and other effects.  Regional focus to support implementation, supervision and monitoring  Strengthen referral system with strengthening referral sites and linkage with rural facilities and communities encompassing maternal, new born and children

 Advising and counselling to the heath-post users about different diseases like Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Jaundice, Black fever, Pnemonia etc. and giving attention to the service users.  Synchronicity of health systems strengthening effort. eg. to follow infrastructure improvement with human resource and supplies;  Support to strengthening management committees  Coordinate with respective councils/ institutions to integrate relevant training curricula and regulate quality  Support to inform regional and district level on financial guideline; and monitoring Lack of big and well equipped hospitals in the Ghandruk VDCs, only few nurses and health assistant and a doctor in the healthpost. Overall the service provided by the health post is good and no bad comment was received till today in the Ghandruk VDCs. c) Electricity Management Comittee Mr. Dhurba Gurung is the President of Electricity Management Committee in Ghandruk VDCs. The committee was formed 24 years ago. Here are total 11 members from Ghandruk VDCs. At first local people don’t know about what actually micro-hydel power plants is? later on ACAP member Dr. Chandra Gurung et. al came here and study about micro-hydel power plant. Canadian aid gave 9 hundred thousand rupees as a grant, Agriculture development bank of Nepal supported 9 hundred thousand as a loan, from community labour fund 4 hundred thousand rupees was collected and ACAP supported 4 hundred thousand as a grant. This money were collected and micro-hydel power plants was established. At the trial period of micro-hydel power plants, the pipe got bursted.

The contractor who took the contracts of developing the micro-hydel power plant paid Rs 35 hundred thousand as a compensation to manage the penstock pipe.

From the head race of Chaaney river (khola), the electricity was drawn. Later on from power house to Siuro river approximately 3 km, more amount of money was invested but successfully completed to bring penstock pipe from downstream.

Second phase was also completed after first phase.

For mobile tower, school and health-post, there is a scarcity of electricity, so to fulfill the demand, second phase was produced. In today’s condition, there is less water in the river. There is a planning to carry water from downstream

Bhainsekharka to upstream or from Simle to village the water can be pumped and pull back up by pumping the water for electricity and safer drinking water.

Financial system for paying the electricity bill Bill unit amount will be collected from the service user as per the unit fixed by the electricity management committee. There are varying rates in the VDCs. Hotels pay Rs 2 per watt and general local citizens pay Rs 1.50 per watt for electricity.

The main resposibilities of this management committee is to provide good services to the local people and developed the society. d) Mul Aama Samuha Committee President: Uddisuwa Gurung There are more than 500 members in Mul Aama Samuha from Ghandruk VDCs. Rs.100 is collected from each member and the total amount is used for the purpose of skill development program as well as other infrastructure provisions.

Saving of Rs.100 monthly can give a loan Rs 1,00,000.00 to Rs. 1, 50,000.00 looking the condition of the member. Saving and Loan group Management Committee is under Mul Aama Samuha.

Main works of Mul Aama Samuha committee is to:  Provide trainings/ skill development program to the local women of Ghandruk VDCs.  Women development program (WD) focuses on bringing the women, marginalized and socially outcast people in the conservation and development mainstream through the gender empowerment activities to enhance their participation in decision making and program implementation.  Activities include enhancing their skills in income generations, providing opportunity for better education, capacity building and exposure tours and operation of daycare centers.  Mul Aama group (samuha), saving group, a socially active group especially working for lower people to generate income source from skill development trainings and helping poor people needs.  Work as a equal access to the local women for the development and empowerment of women.  Inclusive, friendly with helping hands for all class of society specially for women and women development program.  Work hand to hand for the environment action as well as for other development works in the VDCs.

e) Hotel Management Committee Mr. Kisam Gurung is the President of hotel management committee as well as of tourism management committee. There is the same menu card which is same all over the Ghandruk VDCs and have the same accomodation/prices for all the hotels and homestay in Ghandruk VDCs. History of Tourism At earlier years, the menu card is different from each hotels and homestay. Later when ACAP came in the protected area, once a year a menu card design was made and it was distributed all over the ACA and nearby villages. But from the 5/6 years, not depending upon ACAP, hotel management committee was formed.

Total there are training/ counsellor in Ghorepani-Chamrung-Dhampus including century tourism enterprise community/ committee system. After when century tourism enterprise committee arrived at the ACA, they print their menu card design and update and launch the card yearly and distribute in the ACA, specially in the hotels and homestay in the way to the ACA and nearby villages.

Making the base for Birenthati and Dhampus, the design is made for Ghandruk village, which follow the same menu card and targeted for hotels but found some defects like, the people who are running their homestay, they give most preferences to their homestay as well as they encourage their items relating the traditional custom dress and jewellary. Committee’s work and responsibilities is mostly focus for arranging accomodation, hotel and lodge for International tourists and priority is only for International tourists, but fair condition is for local tourists in Ghandruk village and mostly in ACA (Annapurna Conservation Area).

Nepali or local citizens of Nepal get discounted in hotels, homestay and other items, but varies in amount from people to people. Century tourism enterprises community established on 2008 AD. Openess in Ghandruk for tourism and tourists in the sense that the local people who do business like hotels and homestay, do not quarell each other to attract tourist-to visit their hotels or homestay and respect each other with fair policies. Tourist can go anywhere to live in the hotels and homestay in Ghandruk, there is not such provisions like come here, look here and stay here. There is 100% satisfaction for tourist to choose their own hotels and homestay.

No vision pollution for tourist in Annapurna Conservation Area, and mostly in Ghandruk village. The vision pollution like signage, hoarding board cannot be seen in the ACA and nearby villages. There is not only facilities provided for hotels, but to the locals also. To preserve the traditional cultural conservation and openess to the tourist, the local citizens have their rights to display their dress,

jewellary and ornaments and can take rate not more than Rs 100 for dress for international tourists and Rs 50 for national tourists.

There is the decentralization system in Ghandruk village to do business and management of market price. Every items like cash crops, agriculture management, wine, milk and milk products and green vegetables were properly managed in Ghandruk VDCs. Organic farming is given most priority for the development of this area from trade and business.

There is a tent system camping from Ghorepani to Chamrung to Dhampus and in Ghandruk. International tourist expense their amount 15,00-2,000 $ when they visit in this ACA, but National tourist amount is double than International tourists.

Rate and price is focus to the national citizens and International tourist, but mainly focus given only for International tourist. At first there is a homestay system in tourism then only lodge and hotels and restaurants. Most of the people in Ghandruk are associated with hospitality industry. It was only in 1960 AD that entrepreneur and teacher Shankar Bahadur Gurung had established first hotel Fishtail Hotel in Ghandruk, later known as Hotel Milan.(Source: Shankar Bahadur Gurung, Hotel Milan) In Ghandruk village, the first priority is given for traditions, historic fabric, cultural conservation and nature conservation. Some people are following modern technology and destroying the village building architecture. In Ghandruk VDCs, there is also a hotel which gives most priority for Nationals and locals rather than International tourists. (Source: Kisam Gurung, owner of Gurung cottage and the president of hotel management committee) f. Mules Management Committee The data was given by the wife of Mr. Sukbir Gurung, the head of the Mules management committee. According to Maina kumari Gurung, the wife of Sukbir Gurung, the mules used to carry sand, cement, stone, wire, metal pipe, rod, steel, green vegetables, wooden materials and used as a transportation for carrying people from one place to another. Material transportation from Dhamle to Ghandruk and vice-versa. From the International tourist, they collect 2000 to 7000 Rs. and from the National citizens, they take a least amount Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 for carrying bags and luggage. For hauling and transportation of few lump sum, then the amount varies from Rs. 250 to Rs. 1800 for locals or National citizens and for International tourist the value ranges same as described above.

The mules belongs to different owner, but when comes in the committee, then they have to follow the same rate as prescribed by committee’s.

The main purpose of the mules management commitee is to provide the ease of access to everyone for hauling and transportation.

g. Conservation Management Commitee (CMC) Due to failure of local bodies from 15/16 years, VDC’s is inactive, and hence to manage this regions, Conservation Management Committee (CMC) was formed.

CMC deals not only with the problems relating to the VDC’s and conservation isues, but deals and work for the management of the total area. (Source: Secretary: Mr. Man prasad Gurung, CMC, owner of Ashish Aama hotel and custom jewellary) h. Youth and Rodi club Management Committee Mr. Purna Prasad Gurung is the president of Youth and Rodi club management committee. There are 13 members from ward 1 to ward 9 of the Ghandruk VDCs. They all are the working committee member. It was established 20-22 years ago, but when not renue by the member, it was dissolved and again new process was carried out and new name was formed as Youth and Rodi club. At first it was known as Rodhi ghar. The new formation date of this committee is 2062 BS. The main duties and responsibilities of this committee is to:  Mobilizing youth for the local deveopment  Still lack of awareness, youth and people lack in collecting information, hence to manage the situation, this committee was formed.  To be active for the protection of the local tradition and cultural heritage.  To be active for the preservation of ethnic tribe and customs and belief and religious of the local people.  To preserve the Damai-Nau baja as well as to preserve social and cultural behavior of this area.

The committee will be run by the financial system and donation given by the local people as well as by the people who stay in abroad. There is a welfare body which will give some amount as a donation from NGO’s and INGO’s. Sometimes own salary is used for running the committee. 50% Taxes from VDCs will be taken as to run youth and rodi club committee as per described in the local self governance act. i. Volunteer Management Committee Mrs. Harimaya Gurung is the president of the Volunteer management committee of Ghandruk VDCs. The main responsibilities of this volunteer management committee is to provide aactivities’ include conducting health camps and providing general health services to the local people in remote areas and where no regular health services are available. Responsible for helping women’s and child in reproductive health service as well as active for making village free from

pollution. Working as a volunteer to preserve the status of the village and arranging the programs to attend weekly, bio-weekly, monthly for the preservation of the Ghandruk village in terms of environment, ecology and equity. j. Saving and Loan group Management Committee This committee is the sub-committee of Mul Aama Samuha and it was described earlier in Mul Aama Samuha committee above.

18. Household Survey (Questionnaire Input Survey) a. Respondent’s Name: Bishnu bahadur Lamichhane Male: 4; Female: 8 No. of families: 12 Religion: Hindu Literate: 3, illiterate: 9 School: Meshram Baraha secondary school, Ghandruk-5, Kaski Proffesion: Agriculture, Animal husbandary, Farmer Agriculture production: Cashcrops, maize, millet, potatoes, organic farming, green vegetables, Monthly expenses: Rs.7000 Accesibility: Road provision till Dhaamle, bus should come in village Ward no.: 06, Aarbey, Ghandruk Building architecture: Nepali tradition house b. Respondent’s Name: Gobi raj and durgalaxmi Male: 1; Female: 1 No. of families: 2; Age: 86/80 Religion: Hindu illiterate family Agricultural production: Pea, green vegetables Building architecture: Nepali tradition house with arts in door and windows For wood: From CMC, ticket system can help to bring wood from upper jungle. c. Respondent’s Name: Mankaji Gurung Male: 3; Female: 4 No. of families: 7; Age: 84/69 Proffesion: Agriculture, Retired army (Laahure) Religion: Buddhism, Agriculture production: Cashcrops Literate: 2 son- MA/BA; 3 daughter: BA Source of Income: Pension

Monthly expenses: Rs. 12000 Land was rented for agriculture production and 50% production to the person who do such farming in their lands Accesibility: From Ghandruk to Dhaamle, walking and sometimes prefer mules for luggage transportation Old age allowances: Rs.500 per month

d. Respondent’s Name: Man bahadur Gurung Age: 74; Male: 3; Female: 2 Proffesion: Agriculture, Retired army men Religion: Buddhism Meshram Baraha Temple was made by him in Ghandruk village Source of Income: Pension, agriculture Monthly expense: Rs. 6000 Weak in health condition, deaf and his son live in pokhara and never want to visit to his dad there in Ghandruk, according to his saying.

Bus should come to Ghandruk village so that he can go for his son’s home in Pokhara and the village will be developed. e. Respondent’s Name: Chabi Rana Magar, ward no.:5 No. of families: 3; Male: 1; Female:1; child: 1 (2 months old) Proffesion: Agriculture; Meat shops (Meat from Pokhara), small scale poultry farming stay as rent in the house of Sakura hotel owner Chak bahadur gurung Literate: Class 10 only and left, wife literate only upto class 6 Religion: Hindu Transportation: Mules, they have their 2 mules in mules management committee.

Agriculture production: Maize, millet Monthly expenses: Rs.13,000 f. Respondent’s Name: Pabitra Sunwar Religion: Hindu Proffesion: Agriculture, daily labor, land lease agreement and farming for production ( Adhiya) Source of Income: Selling the vegetables, maize, millet, potatoes Literate person: 2, studying in class 3 and 4 Worship meshram baraha and other festivals like dashain, tihar, panchami, teej, and lohsaar and other festival of Nepal

Accesibilty: When maoist president Prachanda visit to Ghandruk, he became the leader to provide the provision of roads from Nayapool to Dhaamle, but every people from Ghandruk village gave certain amount as Rs. 5,00,000 for excavating the land for road purpose by dozers, excavators, and government also helped there for to arrange such provision and maoist party gave 4,00,000 rupees as a grant there, acoording to her. Transportation should be till Ghandruk village

g. Respondent’s Name: Sam bahadur Bika (Sunuwar) Religion: Hindu Proffesion: Farmer Source of Income: few only, daily basis labor Male: 1; Female: 3 Literate: upto class 7, wife upto class 6, other 2 children studying in Meshram Baraha secondary school Accesibiltiy: Bus from Pokhara to Dhaamle helped to travel, Health post is doing their job in best way According to him, Ghandruk village is a discrimination society. Gurungs discriminate us in many aspects, as well as ACAP and CMC also discriminate us and disrespect us, specially for women, ACAP and CMC want to treat as womens are their private means. The grant which used to come for lower people like us, the grant never come in full fledge to us, CMC member and Ghandruk VDCs person don’t posses equal access program here in Ghandruk. Local people, mostly Gurungs, still posses exclusive society here, not inclusive society and its the bad luck and a black day for we people here.

Earnings: Rs.500 daily as a labor basis Area of living: Ward:07, Tallo Gaun, Kaami tole h. Respondent’s Name: Sumitra Bika (Sunuwar) Age: 55; Male: 1; Female:3; Religion: Hindu, but worship Meshram Baraha too and other hindu festivals of Nepal.

Proffesion: Agriculture, farming, daily labor work Social work: Zero, Mul Aama Samuha is not active in lower village, discriminated society When maoist revolution took place, they did not attack lower village, but attacked to the rich people who used to threat lower people to work on their lands and as well as after maoist settlement in peace, maoist helped for accesibilty of roads from Nayapool to Dhaamle, according to her.

Source of Income: difficult to arrange,

Citizenship card took by the daughter in law, that’s why she is not getting her old age allowance, which was distributed by the government; and her daughter in law used to hit her every time when she asked about her citizen’s card to give to her.

Health condition: Too weak,

i. Respondent’s Name: Mani Bika.

Age: 46; Male: 4; Female: 4 School first established: Meshram Baraha secondary school, 2006 BS Proffesion: Agriculture, animal husbandary, farmer, small scale poultry(12 chikens, 1 hen) Ghandruk village developed when people came to settled here and became a tourist destination to reach Annapurna Base Camp from here.

Local people has focussed to preserve the local traditions and culture here in Ghandruk society. Source of income of people of Ghandruk mostly is agriculture, animal husbandary, poultry, tourism, hotels, homestay, retail shops, museums, farmings, small cottage industries, and farming. For the development of infrastructure provisions like roads, watersupply, sanitation, tourism, schools formation, police, healthpost, electricity, and others source, local people have played an important role to preserve this society as free plastics and bottles area as well as the local people has sucess to save this place from the environment point of view. In this village no pollution like wastes, mineral water bottle and others.

Religion: Hindu, but worship Meshram baraha too and respect every culture of Hindu and buddhism culture.

Famous Instruments: Damais ‘Nau Baja’, Dhumpu, Girling, Jhurma, Karnal Grants from British welfare and people living abroad for the development of Ghandruk village. j. Respondent’s Name: Dam bahadur Pariyar Age: 35; Male: 2; Female: 5 Literacy: 100% Proffession: Agriculture, farmer Religion: Hindu Ancestors are from Ghandruk village Maoist party is supporting us by providing grants as well as loan for survival and we used to do goat farming as well as poultry in very small scale.

Social work is zero by Mul aama samuha in lower village as kaami tole, damai tole and sarki tole.

Source of Income: Daily basis labor, Rs. 500 per day

k. Respondent’s Name: Rom bahadur Pariyar Age: 45; Male: 4; Female: 4 Religion: Hindu Literacy rate: 4 son and daughter studying in Meshram barha secondary school at class 2, 3 and 5.

Source of Income: Daily basis labor, Rs. 500 per day, wooden work to cut from jungle. l. Respondent’s Name: Buddhi bahadur Pariyar Age: 36; Male: 4; Female:2 Religion: Hindu Lieracy: 3 son and daughter studying in Meshram barha secondary school at class 1 and 2 Monthly expenses: difficult but working hard to survive and taking care of families.

Source of Income: Daily labor basis, farming, small scale poultry farming Ghandruk village don’t give respect for we lower people. No provision of services here for lower people and families. m. Respondent’s Name: Kul bahadur Sunar Age: 28; Religion: Hindu Male: 5; Female: 3 Main owner: Mir bahadur Sunar, father Proffesion: Animal husbandary, very small scale poultry farming, agriculture Ghandruk is the inclusive society.

There was a training, skill development program found to be active years ago, but no such things are here in Ghandruk. To get trainings and skill development program, now we have to go Pokhara. Mul aama Samuha posses discriminating nature.

There is not any work done by Gurungs for low income people neither by Village development committees members.

Many years ago, the daily basis income is very low in comparison in today’s context. At first the daily basis Rs. is 25 for each labour, and today there is a different rate for male and female. For female there is a amount fixed as 300 Rs. and for male Rs. 500 Literacy rate of Ghandruk is overall 61% now in comparison to older days. The older days literacy rate is 32.7%.

For small children, there is a children hospitality management as like Montessori, near Buddha hotel , ward no.:06, Arbey Meshram barha secondary school was established in 2006 BS.

n. Respondent’s Name: Pradip Sunar Religion: Hindu; Male: 2; Female: 2; Age: 49 Source of Income: Daily basis Rs.500, agriculture, farming Agriculture Production: Cashcrops, maize, millet, potatoes Literate: Two children studying at Meshram baraha secondary school, Social activities: Mul Aama samuha is active for preservation of culture in Ghandruk village. Social discrimination still present in this village. o. Respondent’s Name: Sita Pariyar Age: 52; Male: 3; Female: 2 Religion: Hindu, also worship meshram baraha Source of Income: Agriculture, Rs.300 daily basis labor in farming, small scale poultry farming Agricultural production: Potatoes, green vegetables, maize Ghandruk village is known as Koraan’maa, which means dandamaa Literate: 100%, 2 study in Meshram baraha secondary school Society: Inclusive society, but discrimination here for us from Gurung community p. Respondent’s Name: Raju Sunar Age: 35; Male: 5; Female: 2 Religion: Hindu Proffesion: Agriculture, farming, daily basis labor Agricultural production: Maize, millet, organic farming, green vegetables Source of Income: Farming, small scale poultry, Adhiya etc Social status: Inclusive society from Maoist period Literate: 3 children studying in meshram baraha school Accessibility: Bus facilities from Pokhara to Dhaamle, and transportation should be in Ghandruk village. q. Respondent’s Name: Bijay Sunar Age: 47; Male: 3; Female: 2; Religion: Hindu Proffesion: Agriculture, farming, Agriculture production: Potatoes, green vegetables, maize, rice Source of Income: Money sent from son from Qatar, farming Literate: Son staying at Qatar studied BA, his mother class 9 passed, his daughter in law passed class 11 Accesibility: Bus facilities should reach Ghandruk Society of Ghandruk: Exclusive society

r. Respondent’s Name: Hira Bika Age: 75; Male: 3; Female: 2 Religion: Hindu Literate: 1 child studying at meshram baraha school Proffesion: Agriculture, farming, Adhiya Source of Income: Adhiya, farming, daily basis Rs.500 Accessibility: Bus should reach in Ghandruk Society of Ghandruk: Exclusive society s. Respondent’s Name: Prem Bika Age: 54; Male: 2; Female: 2; Religion: Hindu Proffesion: Farming, Adhiya, Rs.500 daily basis Source of Income: Adhiya, selling green vegetables Accesibility: Transportation from Pokhara to Dhaamle Literate: 100% Society of Ghandruk: Discriminated society Mul aama samuha, is not active for lower people, gurungs dominated society. t. Respondent’s Name: Ram bahadur Gurung Age: 70; Male: 2; Female: 2; Religion: Buddhism Proffesion: Farming, agriculture, Retired army Source of Income: Pension, agriculture Accesibility: Mules and bus transportation has changed the image of village Literate: class 8 passed Society of Ghandruk: Inclusive society, Aama samuha active for the preservation of culture and traditions, damai baja, and environment of Ghandruk village. u. Respondent’s Name: Madan bahadur Gurung Age: 80; Male: 1; Female: 1; Religion: Hindu, worship meshram baraha Proffesion: Retired army Source of Income: Pension, agriculture, land given as Adhiya Agricultural production: Maize, millet, potatoes, green vegetables, organic farming Accesibility: Mules and bus transportation Society of Ghandruk: Inclusive society ACAP helped local people for wooden material by ticket system in Ghandruk whole ward 1 to 9, for household purpose. v. Respondent’s Name: Lila Gurung Age: 43; Male: 2; Female:2; Religion: Hindu

Source of Income: Pension, organic farming Agricultural Production: Maize, millet, organic farming, green vegetables, potatoes; Society: Inclusive society now a days when after maoist attack this village. Accesibilty: Mules and bus, jeep facilities from Pokhara to Dhaamle, and mules from Dhaamle to Ghandruk Health post and police post are doing their duty positively and arranged properly, ACAP also working fair in this village.

Literate: son studying in Pokhara in class 12, daughter studying in class BA 1st year in Pokhara w. Respondent’s Name: Devi maya Gurung Age: 68; Male: 2; Female: 3; Religion: Hindu; Ward:04, Source of Income: Pension, agriculture and son will help them Monthly expenses: Rs. 10,000 Agricultural production: Maize, millet and green vegetables Accesibility: Mules and other transportation ike bus, car and jeep from Pokhara to Dhaamle. Transportation facilities needed in Ghandruk village for we people Literate: Son studied BA, daughter in law studied 12, grand daughter studying in class nursery at Pokhara and husband class 4. x. Respondent’s Name: Kisam Gurung Age: 48; Male: 3; Female:4; Religion: Hindu Literate in family: 5 children studying in Pokhara, Wife studied upto Bachelor degree, himself studied to Bachelor degree with trainings. First he was teacher, after that he had joined in hotel line due to tourism importance in Ghandruk village.

Source of income: Gurung Cottage, agriculture and small scale poultry farming, tourist guide, and tourism.

Monthly expenses: Rs.25,000 Agriculture production in this area: Rice, maize, millet, potatoes, organic farmingTea, and other green vegetables In my opinion, Ghandruk village is a tourism village and a source of income from tourist to preserve our cultural heritage and our society. Inclusive society.

Preservation of culture, traditions and specially the Damais ‘Nau Baja’ is protected here and our Gurung’s culture too.

Accesibility: Planning of road provision within 5 years in Ghandruk village, community participation in Ghandruk is 100%, no discrimination is here. At earlier years there was a discrimination between rich and poor, but today equal access for everyone in this village and we people are working together to preserve Ghandruk status and environment. Mul aama samuha is the powerful body acting

here for the preservation and protection of area, culture, traditions, environment and overall development of this village.The two season will help us to survive and take care of our familes with good financial incomes here in Ghandruk.

y. Respondent’s Name: Hari maya Gurung Age: 49; Religion: Meshram baraha; Hinduism and Buddhism Proffesion: Tourism business, agriculture, farming Source of Income: Aashis aama homestay and culture & traditional jewellary, Pension of husband, small scale poultry farming and agriculture.

Agriculture production in village: Rice, maize, millet, potatoes, green leafy vegetables, organic farming Monthly expenses: 60% of the Income Literacy rate: Sons are educated, one studying bachelor in Australia , next one studying in Kathmandu at class 12.

Ghandruk village is the inclusive society with its great importance of traditional settlements. z. Respondent’s Name: Man prasad Gurung Proffesion: Secretary of Conservation Management Committee, farmer Source of Income: Pension, agriculture and homestay Monthly expenses: 60% of the Income Ghandruk village is the Inclusive society. There should be the provision of roads to Ghandruk village and bus and other means of transportation should arrive in this village for the development and attract national tourist for our community to be developed by infrastructure provisions with financial develoment in these societies.

19. Ghandruk village from the Urban design point of view ďƒź Growing prosperity and wealth and increasing demands for an improved quality of life are reflected in the increasing consumption of land and space, demand for privacy and better living conditions and access to green space. Demographic trends, including an ageing population and the growth of smaller and single person households, are adding to the demands for new housing and to the pressures for suburbanization in rural areas (as well as for improvements to the quality of the environment and everyday life in inner city areas). Valuable agricultural land, amenity space and natural reserves of biodiversity are being lost. At the same, increasing land values and property prices in cities make housing in locations that are accessible to livelihood opportunities and services increasingly unaffordable for many sections of the population. The relationship between the housing market and public land and housing policies and urban design is critical. Urban design can provide the framework for achieving a good

quality of life when the attempt to meet these challenges may require higher densities and better mixes of development. ďƒź Ghandruk village creates beautiful, distinctive, secure, healthy and high quality places for people to live and work in that foster a strong sense of community pride, social equity, cohesion, integration and identity at the local and wide scale. Supports a vibrant, balanced, inclusive and equitable economy and promotes effective urban regeneration. ďƒź Applying the guidelines to agricultural subsidies to promote positive urbanrural relations. ďƒź Ghandruk village structure is properly managed in the sense of rural planning which gives a direct image of design of green structures and rural landscape designing green structures to be sustainable in meeting both ecological and amenity needs; securing land for agricultural production and urban farming as an integrated part of the green structure on a long term basis.

Figure: Stone paved road

Figure: Traditional house

Figure: Village settlement

Figure: Crop harvesting

Figure: Concrete building

Figure: Landscape

Figure: Room arrangement

Figure: Stone tap (Dhungedhara)

Figure: Gurung house

Figure: Culture and tradition dress & jewellary

20. Ghandruk village from the Tourism point of view Endowed as it is with immense natural beauty, this village is well-known both inside and outside the country as a tourist destination. Ghandruk is well known as a model village even in south Asia. The specific features of the Ghandruk village is the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Annapurna Circuit Trek is a classic trek around the world's tenth highest mountain, cross the classic Throng La Pass (5,416m/17,769ft) from Manang to Muktinath, take in fabulous mountain views from the summit of Poon Hill at 3,210m. /10,531ft. This is truly an extraordinary path of Nepal.

It is near impossible to give an account of the allures of Ghandruk that lies on the Annapurna trekking trail, considered one of the world’s ten best. Its natural beauty is such that it brings peace and delight to everyone. The Annapurna Himalayan range apart, Ghandruk affords scenery of the greenary of Lumle’s Landruk, Bichuk and Tolka. To Ghandruk’s east lies Lumle, to the west Myagdi, to the north Annapurna mountains and to the south Dangsing VDC. It borders the Modi Khola to the east, Deurali, Rani Daanda and Dangsing to the west, Annapurna Himalayan range to the north and Modi confluence and Saandhi Khola to the south. From the tourism angle, Ghandruk village is inhabited by the old settlement, and it links to the Annapurna circuit trek which gives a clear meaning of the traditional and cultural important featurs of the model village which is known around the world by its speciality and its structures.

21. Ghandruk Borders The Modi Khola River borders Ghandruk VDC to the east, Deurali, Rani Danda Shikh and Dangsing to the west, Annapurna Himalayan range to the north and Modi confluence and Sandhi Khola to the south. Ghandruk has an area of 2,141,297.7 million hectares, or 109,810 ropanies, 13 annas and 1 paisa. The following table shows the land use and topography of Ghandruk: S.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Topography Forest cover Area under snow cover Agricultural Land Total area under agriculture Irrigated land Barren, uncultivated and grazing land Rocks, cliffs and naked areas Residential area Total Land Area

Area (ropanies) 25,038 20,000 30,000 24,372-13-1-0 1,000 3,000 6,000 4,000 109810-13-1-0

Percent 22.50 18.50 27.50 22.0 .80 2.60 5.60 0.30 100

22. Ethnic composition of Ghandruk’s inhabitants S.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Ethnic group Gurung Magar Brahmin Sarkis Kamis Damais Chhetris Others Total

Percent 61.95 05.71 04.68 5.70 5.70 04.71 04.09 00.36 100

23. Households and population by Village development committee’s Population VDCs Ghandruk

Households 1,102

Total

4265

Male

Female

2,054

2,211

24. Households by ownership of house/housing unit in use

VDCs

Households 1,102

Ghandruk

Ownership of house/housing unit Owned Rented Institutional Others 874

131

0

97

25. Households by foundation of house/housing unit.

Type of foundation of house VDCs

Households Mud Cement bonded bricks/stone bonded bricks/stone

Ghandruk 1,102

1,030

35

RCC with

Wooden Others Not pillar

Stated

pillar 2

31

0

4

26. Number of School in Ghandruk VDCs  Meshram Baraha secondary school, Ghandruk-5, Kotmaidan, established in 2006 BS  Sarswoti primary school, Ghandruk-7, Uri, established in 2032 BS  Phumukhra Prastibit Ni. Maa. Vi, Ghandruk-1, Kliu, established in 2019 BS  Kurlung Baraha primary school, Ghandruk-1, Tikhyaan, established in 2047 BS  Jansewa primary school, Ghandruk-2, Phulibaang, established in 2046 BS 27. Number of Hotels in Ghandruk VDCs  Hotel Sherpa  Hotel Laligurans  Bishal Camping  Shakti Guest House  Namaste Hotel  Buddha Hotel  Satkar Guest House  Hotel Sakura  Manisha Hotel and Restaurant  Mountain View Lodge

 Gurung Museum and Pool House  Hotel Everest  Milan Hotel  Hotel Trekkers Inn  Peaceful Lodge  Sunrise Camping  Gurung Cottage  Breeze Guest House  Annapurna Guest hHouse  Ghandruk Guest House  Hill Top lodge  Himalayan hotel  Snow land lodge  Shangri- La Guest House  Excellent View Lodge  Eco Camping  Aama Carpet  Open Guest House  Dipika Lodge  Ashish Aama Hotel and Tradition Jewellary  Muna Hotel  Hotel Mountain view and Restaurant  Panoroma Hotel & Restaurant

BIBLIOGRAPHY o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Kaski VDCs level report-2014 www.wikipedia.org/Nepal www.google.com/Nepal/acap//doc Census-2013, Government of Nepal Annapurna Conservation Area or Protected Area documents Krishna Gauchan, Hotel Sunrise and Thakali Restaurant, Birenthanti-05, Kaski Man Prasad Gurung, Secretary-Conservation Management Committee (CMC), Ghandruk VDCs Hari Maya Gurung, President of Loan and saving group under Mul Aama Samuha; Aashis Aama Hotel, Ghandruk VDCs Kisam Gurung, President of Hotel Management Committee, Ghandruk VDCs Til Bahadur Gurung, President of CMC, owner of Peaceful hotel and Lodge Shankar Bahadur Gurung, President of Healthpost Management Committee Purna Prasad Gurung, President of Youth and Rodi club Management Committee Dhruba Gurung, President of Electricity Management Committee Udisuwa Gurung, President of Mul Aama Samuha, Ghandruk VDCs Shyam Gurung, staff member of ACAP office , Ghandruk VDCs Maina Kumari Gurung, Mules Management Committee member, wife of Sukbir Gurung, the President of Mules Management Committee, Ghandruk VDCs Shankar Bahadur Gurung, owner of Milan Hotel, Ghandruk VDCs Pokhara, Kaski VDCs/Municipality Profile report-2013 Google earth for elevation, exact point, variation of altitude study Learning from Community Participation in Conservation Area Management: Siddhartha Bajra Bajracharya*, Gehendra Bahadur Gurung** and Khadga Basnet* Gurung costumes and traditional jewellary level report, cultures report.

BUILDING ARCHITECTURE

Figure: Site Plan

For local terminology and others data, please refer original document.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR READING This is the original document published by Amit Pokhrel, student of Postgraduate of Urban design and conservation, IIIrd semester student, Khwopa Engineering College, Bhaktapur.

The document clarifies about the data taken from 13th Baisakh 2071 to 17th Baisakh 2071 BS (26th April 2014 to 30th April 2014) in Ghandruk village, where the household survey was carried out for the real data and many interview were conducted to know the actual information about Ghandruk village development committees and other committees. For data collection, team work was there for one day, and after that, the household survey and interview was carried out individually. For the actual information many site were taken into account like “village development level report profile�, 2014 and other site address presented clear into Bibliography above.

Statuary Publication This document is the sole publication of the Author. Any misuse and the mis-interpretation of this document by anyone, author does not take the responsibility for the same.

Amit Pokhrel Regd.No: 035-3-3-03881-2012 M.Sc. Urban design & Conservation Khwopa Engineering College, Bhaktapur (Purbanchal University) Batch: 2012-2014