With the approach of monsoon season, the Phuentshogling Dungkhag and Thromde officials are looking at preventive measures for landslides. Today the officials along with volunteers planted over three thousand bamboo saplings in about three acres of the area below the Rinchending Monastery.
The area below the monastery at Rinchending popularly known as Kharbandi Goenpa is prone to landslides. With many incidents of landslides below the monastery, it is also at risk now.
While a part of the car parking has been eroded, cracks have developed further on the parking, footpaths and a nearby Chorten. The monks at the monastery are concerned that similar landslides may occur this monsoon.
“It is very risky here. Landslides buried two houses last year. Now with the start of the monsoon, if there happens to be a landslide, it will first affect the Chorten behind me, then it will be the monastery,” said Namgay, the lopen of Rinchending monastery.
He said they sought support and wrote to the relevant authorities. While they did receive support, the walls built below the monastery weren’t of much help.
The Dungkhag and Thromde officials are now trying a different measure.
“The area here is fragile and it has been posing immense risks to the monastery as well as the people residing nearby. Different initiatives like the building of walls have been carried out, but it has not been successful. So now we are trying plantation with the hope that it will help,” said Karma Jurmi, Phuentshogling Dungpa.
“Climate change is affecting all of us. If we do not take action now, it will affect the monastery as well. The earlier measures carried out here have not been successful,” said Uttar Kumar Rai, Phuentshogling Thrompon.
Nearly 200 people took part in the plantation of different bamboo plants including broom grasses. Officials said that given the fast growth of bamboo plants and their wide network of roots, they are effective in preventing landslides.
But some people residing in the area are still doubtful of the measure. They said while the plantation measure may work, the construction of proper safety walls is more important. They are now asking the relevant agencies to come up with better solutions before it is too late.
Kinley Dem
Edited by Kipchu
