Barpak: The Erosion of Tradition in the Heart of the 2072 Earthquake Epicenter

• Bijay Amatya/ Nepal Photo Library

Gorkha. I first visited Barpak around the year 2070. At that time, I was delighted to see the original houses roofed with uniform stones. However, Barpak, which is the largest and most densely populated settlement in Gorkha district, now feels as though it has lost its originality.

With easy access to road networks, hotels equipped for daily domestic and international tourists, and a preference for imported food over local produce, the village has undergone a significant shift.

Narrow roads that seem forced into the village, tractors carrying cement and sand, and scenes of locals straightening rods on the road or digging foundations for houses are now visible in every neighborhood of Barpak.

In Barpak, the epicenter of the 2072 Gorkha earthquake, concrete houses are now being prioritized over traditional ones. While a few original and traditional houses remain, the number of concrete houses built using sand, cement, bricks, and rods has increased.

According to local resident Mohanbhagi Gurung, who is currently building a house, many such cement houses have been built since the 2072 earthquake. "One reason is that these houses are considered safer in an earthquake compared to old houses, and on the other hand, most people in the village are abroad and have become financially capable. That is why concrete houses are being built in the village," he explained. He noted that while the affluent class in the village has built such concrete houses, others are living by repairing their old homes.

Dipesh Darshandhari, who came to visit from Kathmandu, says, "Although it is much quieter than Kathmandu, Barpak has lost its originality." Darshandhari suggested that the residents of Barpak, known to the world for the heroic tales of the Gurkhas and as the epicenter of the earthquake, should emphasize their originality and local products.

Although crops like maize, barley, wheat, millet, and perilla, as well as various vegetables, are produced locally, easy access to transportation has led to vegetables and other food items being brought into Barpak from the district headquarters of Gorkha Bazaar and Chitwan.

It is essential for the residents of Barpak to prioritize historical aspects, originality, and local production to promote tourism.