Traditional pagoda-style houses disappearing in Dadeldhura

By Our Correspondent,Dadeldhura, Aug. 5: Over the years, villages in Nepal have witnessed a significant population decline, transforming once-fertile lands into barren expanses. The trend of rural-to-urban migration, which began during the conflict period from 1996 to 2005, has persisted, despite the introduction of federalism and the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement about two decades ago.

According to recent statistics, the youth are increasingly leaving villages for education and job opportunities, both domestically and internationally, driven by political instability and unemployment. As a consequence, traditional village life, centred around communal living and joint family structures, is dwindling.

Ganesh Dutt Bhatt, a 74-year-old resident of Bhageswar Rural Municipality-4 Satigaon, Dadeldhura, mourned the disappearance of traditional pagoda-style houses made from stone, mud and wood, once emblematic of village identity. "The tradition of living in interconnected pagoda-style houses has all but vanished," he said, reflecting on how community support mechanisms have evolved with changing times.

Dev Bhandari, 79, from Amargadhi Municipality-7 Pokhara, reminisced about the old days when villages lacked electricity and relied on lanterns or makeshift lamps for light. He recalled a time when villagers would unite in times of crisis, a practice that has been eroded over the years.

Despite advancements such as electricity and improved security in rural areas, Gobind Bohra, former Minister of Social Development of Sudurpaschim Province, observed that these developments have contributed to the fading of traditional building styles and good traditions in villages. He noted a growing trend of urban housing where houses are densely built due to land scarcity and economic constraints.