Swiss development agency had helped create tourism-friendly infrastructure in the Jiri valley, the gateway to Mt. Everest, catapulting it to a tourist hub. The valley is also widely known as Nepal's own Switzerland.
After the monstrous earthquake of April 25 ruined its beauty and infrastructure, Jiri folks once again hope for help from the Swiss government to restore the place.
The small valley of Jirels (a Sherpa community) had a tough life at the base of Mt Everest, when the Swiss geologist Toni Hagen arrived here some 57 years ago. After his visit, development activities were carried out at a rapid pace in Jiri with the support of Swiss government."During those days, tourists arrived at Dhulikhel in tractors," recalled Dhan Bahadur Jirel, an elderly, "They used to set off for Everest after spending a few days in Jiri."
According to Jirel, Hagen, the Swiss national, was enamored by the scenery of the valley and urged his government to invest for the development of Jiri.
The government of Switzerland launched development projects in Jiri by forming a Swiss development agency some 55 years ago.
As a result, the 110-km road from Khandi Chaur to Jiri was blacktopped four decades ago. From the 60s to the 90s, Jiri outpaced other areas in Dolakha district in terms of development with the Swiss support, which led to the construction of hospital, school and community buildings.
One of them, Jiri Technical School (JTS), which was established with the Swiss support, is one of the most result-oriented institutions under Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).
All the infrastructures including JTS that were built with Swiss aid got destroyed in the earthquakes of April 25 and May 12, according to Mohan Kumar Shrestha, executive officer at Jiri Municipality.
Following the massive destruction, Jiri folks are desperately looking for help from Swiss government to help them restore their valley, said Tank Jirel, ex-chairperson of Jire VDC.
"We are confident that we will once again get the Swiss support to rebuild Jiri," said he.
Meanwhile, Swiss development agency has distributed relief materials to the quake affected in five VDCs of northern Dolakha.
"We have held consultations with the Swiss development agency officials already," said Anand Pokhrel, a constituent assembly member from the district. "They will help us in this time of need."
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