ewb brief langtang

8/18/2019 EWB Brief Langtang

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Issued By: Declan Alcock MSc MIEI

Position: Director of Engineers Without Borders - Ireland

Issued to: Dublin Institute of Technology

Date: 29/09/2015

Revision: Draft

Engineers Without Borders - Ireland

Contextual Brief

Langtang Valley Reconstruction Project



ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS - IRELAND

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Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................. 2

2. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Geography ................................................................................................................ 3

2.2 Climate ...................................................................................................................... 3

2.3 Culture ....................................................................................................................... 5

2.4

Access ....................................................................................................................... 5

3. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE ................................................................................... 7

3.1

Traditional House ...................................................................................................... 7

2.3 Religious Architecture ............................................................................................... 9

2.4 Modern Architecture ................................................................................................ 11




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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Langtang Valley experienced significant damage and loss of life as a result of

the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck Nepal on the 25th April 2015. The

survivors have been living in Kathmandu since then and Engineers Without Borders

Ireland (EWB-Ireland) have been working with Solidarité Langtang and the Langtang

Management and Redevelopment Committee to rebuild the village.

The purpose of this report is to provide a brief on the project with background

information on the cultural and societal context along aspects such as access, andavailability of materials.

The priority is to rebuild the village according to the wishes of the Langtangpa who

have requested that;

“The houses have to be reconstructed with respect to earthquake, weather condition,

culture and tradition. The houses should be made according to the family members

and should be environment friendly, good care should be given to sanitation and

water system.”

Langtang Village 2011




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2. BACKGROUND

Langtang village had a population of approximately 400 people, mostly of the

Tamang ethnic group, who are of Tibetan Buddhist origin. The majority of damage

caused to Langtang Village after the earthquake on 25th April was due to the

collapse of a glacier high above near the summit of Langtang Lirung (7227m). The

debris from the landslide and avalanche, made up of rock and ice, was estimated at

1000m long x 500m wide and 20-30m deep. Survivors of the landslides have been

living in a temporary camp at Yellow Gompa in Kathmandu since April and willremain in the capital over winter.

The Langtangpas hope to rebuild in Kyanjin Gompa which is approximately 5 hours

walk up the valley towards the Tibet Border. The locally available materials are stone

and wood however they have a perception that concrete is safer. One challenge is

that the valley is a National Park so the government have to allocate land for the

rebuild, also there are government restrictions on the use of timber in the park even

though there were a lot of trees felled by the landslides.

2.1. Geography

Langtang Valley is situated within Langtang National Park which was

established as the first Himalayan National Park in Nepal in 1976. The protected

area covers an area of 1,710 km2 in the Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhulpalchok

districts of the central Himalayan region and is linked with the Qomolangma

National Nature Preserve in Tibet.

The park is bounded to the North and North-East by the border with Tibet, to the

west by the Bhote Kosi and Trisuli River systems, to the east by the Sun KoshiRiver system. The southern boundary lies 32km north of Kathmandu. The park

is bisected by the Dorje Lakpa mountain range from east–west to south–east

with the summit of Langtang Lirung (7,245 m) being the highest point in the park.

The complex topography and geology together with the varied climatic patterns

have enabled a wide spectrum of vegetation types. These include small areas of

subtropical forest (below 1000m). Oaks, maple, fir, blue pine, hemlock spruce

and various species of rhododendron make up the main forest species. Above

these alpine scrub and grass give way to rocks and snow.




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Langtang Valley

The variations in altitude and topography along with the existing forest cover

(approx. 25% of the total area) provide habitat for a wide range of animals

including wild dog, red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan

tahr, rhesus monkey and common langur. The Trisuli-Bhote Koshi River forms

an important route for birds on spring and autumn migrations between India and

Tibet.

2.2. Climate

The climate of the park is dominated by the southwest summer monsoon.

Temperatures vary greatly due to the extreme difference in altitude in the entire

area. Summer monsoon lasts from mid-June until the beginning of October and

most of the annual precipitation occurs during this period.From mid-April to mid-June, it is warm but often cloudy with thunder showers

and rain at 3,000 m elevation often turns to snow at higher elevations.

From mid-October to mid-December and from mid-February until mid-April the

weather is usually clear, days are warm and sunny, but cold at night and at

higher elevations. During the winter months skies are clear and daytime

temperatures low with nights near freezing and snow may occur even at low

levels.




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2.3. Culture

About 45 villages are situated within the park boundaries, but are not under park

jurisdiction. In total about 3000 households depend on park resources, primarily

for wood and pasture lands.

Culturally the Langtang National Park area is mixed, the home of several ethnic

groups. The majority of people are Tamang, an ancient Nepalese race. The

Tamangs, traditionally farmers and cattle breeders, are especially well known for

their weaving. Their religion is related to the Bon and the pre-Buddhist doctrines

of Tibet.Langtang village is sometimes referred to as ‘Beyul’ (a hidden valley) and was

considered as such for many hundreds of years. The valley has a long history of

famous Buddhist lamas who came to meditate and develop their spiritual

practice. The ancestors of the Langtangpa (the indigenous people of Langtang

valley) have been living there for more than 600 years.

One of the oldest buildings and a very good example of the traditional

architecture in Langtang was 600 years old Nyngma pas Monastery (or gompa)

situated in Gumba village. Another is the gompa which gives Kyanjin Gompa itsname. The Langtangpa have their own distinguish and rich language, culture

and Buddhist tradition and faith. Today this religion has merged with the newer

teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. The Langtangpa follow the Tibetan school of

Buddhism called Ningma. People of Langtang have been living on yak herding,

agriculture and tourism (the main source of income for 90% of families).

2.4. Access

The nearest main town with access from Kathmandu is Dhunche. Though this isonly 100km from the city it takes 10 hours due to the nature of the unsurfaced

road. There is a seasonal road from Dhunche to Syabru Besi which is often

blocked by landslides during the Monsoon season. From Syabru Besi it is a 2

day trek to Langtang Village and a further day to the village of Kyanjin Gompa,

the last inhabited settlement in the valley.




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The main method of transporting goods and materials to the Langtang Valley

from the trail head is by using local porters and mules. There was a network of

ancient trails in the region however many have been destroyed by landslides

making access very difficult and dangerous. In addition of the 70mules which

were available locally before the earthquake there are 32 left.

The other option is to use chartered helicopters to fly directly from Kathmandu.

While the cost of a bag of cement in Kathmandu is about €6, the cost increases

to €30 when transport by porter is included. A helicopter charter costs about

€1500 per trip.

Porter transporting goods up the valley.




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3. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

Traditional house of the Langtangpa.

3.1. Traditional House

The vernacular architecture of Langtang was developed over centuries to

respond to the local geography and climate conditions. It was designed to be

comfortable by using locally available building materials, such as stone and

timber, which were suited to these conditions.

Most of the traditional houses of Langtang were built on the slope with the

mountains to the North and the front facing South. Because of this the ground

floor was semi buried. Because of the orientation of the valley the dominants

winds are East-West and West-East. Typically they have no openings to the

North and very few to the East and West.

The south façade on the second floor was made of timber framing infilled with

wood slats with particular attention paid to carvings and decoration on that

façade such as a small loggia or a balcony in front of the entrance.




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The ground floor was used for the animals and as storage. Sometimes part of

the ground floor was used as a small independent kitchen for the grandparents.

On the second floor the fire place, as well as the god place were placed against

the East wall. Most of the time there were no inner separations on that floor. The

traditional Tibetan furniture was often integrated with the timber framing of the

structure. Traditionally the roof was covered by flat stones.

Interior of traditional house.




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3.2. Religious Architecture

Two of the oldest buildings in the valley, and very good examples of the

traditional architecture are the 600 years old Nyngma-pas Monastery (or gompa)

situated in Gumba village, and the Gompa which gives Kyanjin Gompa it’s

name.

The whole internal structure is made of timber. A system of inner timber columns

hold the timber flooring. The timber structure dissipates forces during an

earthquake. The directions of joist and main beams change on each level.

The main opening facing the south acts as a sub framing and is made of heavy

carved timber elements. It extends from the flooring to the cornice below the

roof. These windows and the projecting heavy lintel, as well as the support of the

main beams on the top of the columns are a feature of Langtang traditional

architecture as well as of many architectural traditions in the Himalayas.

Gompa (monastery) at Kyanjin Gompa




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Interior of Gompa (monastery) at Kyanjin Gompa




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3.3. Modern Architecture

Kyanjin Gompa was originally a seasonal village which was set-up to support the

trekking industry. The majority of the buildings there are guesthouses with the

exception of the monastery and a Yak Cheese factory.

Guesthouse in Kyanjin Gompa

Guesthouse in Kyanjin Gompa

ewb brief langtang

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