Livestock and motorbikes banned in Rukum's Taksera village

By Jayaman Budha Magar

Rukum East, Feb. 5: A densely populated Taksera Village, located in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality-10, captivates visitors and serves as the hub of the rural municipality. 

About 500 houses built from stone and mud and all designed in the same style are the primary attraction for the tourists. 

Locals and the rural municipality held discussions on preserving and enhancing the appeal of the village after it became a major attraction for domestic tourists. They developed the policy of 'Clean and Green Village' with the support of the municipality. Each neighbourhood is responsible for maintaining cleanliness, including keeping its courtyards tidy.

Every neighbourhood must conduct a clean-up every Saturday. Failure to do so results in a fine of Rs. 500. Similarly, anyone bringing motorbikes into the village will be fined Rs 1,000. Bringing Cattle, buffaloes, horses or mules will incur a fine of Rs. 500 and goats or sheep will result in a fine of Rs. 250. All fines will be collected into a village fund, which will be used for maintaining the cleanliness of the village.

Local intellectual and founding president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Rukum East, Maitya Gharti Magar, said that maintaining cleanliness is the first priority of the village owing to its growing popularity as a tourist destination area. Neighbourhoods are trying to keep their courtyards clean to attract more tourists.

The removal of livestock including pigs, horses and goats from the ground floors of homes has contributed to the cleanliness of the Tak village. Separate shelters for livestock have been built outside the village.

Dipak Budhamagar, a teacher at Mahendra Secondary School in Taksera, said keeping livestock indoors adversely affected human health. As a result, residents have ceased keeping animals on the lower floors of their homes.

Puni Raj Gharti Magar, Chairperson of the rural municipality, said the rural municipality is also committed to preserving Tak Village’s historical and aesthetic charm. Plans are being developed to enhance the beauty of the village to attract more tourists which can create more job opportunities in the village. The executive body has already decided to develop Tak Village as a living historical museum.