After the temple´s compound wall developed cracks and started to crumble, the study committee was formed over three weeks ago to suggest ways to protect the temple.[break]
The District Administration Office (DAO) Chitwan had formed the seven-member study committee with Ram Prasad Aryal, chief engineer of the Regional Irrigation Division Office, as coordinator. The committee, which finalized its study report Sunday, has mentioned that concrete blocks should be placed right from the lake surface to the lake bed as it is not possible to siphon off the lake water for renovation.
The committee prepared the study by conducting field inspection twice and other external studies for 25 days. The committee, however, has yet to submit the final report to the DAO.
On January 20, the conservation committee at the Tal Barahi Temple had submitted a proposal to the DAO to initiate the construction of the base of the temple by decreasing the lake´s water level. However, the proposal drew criticism from many stakeholders stating that decline in the water level of the lake will have huge negative impact on tourism, fishery, environment and irrigation.
Then, the DAO had formed the study committee to find other alternatives. According to engineer Aryal, coordinator of the study committee, "As we don´t have easy access technologies to store the water of the lake in another place, we have suggested reinforcing the temple´s base with concrete blocks." He further said that it may take long time to construct the base of the temple.
The committee estimates that more than Rs 13 million will be required for placing the concrete blocks. However, the conservation committee of the temple has so far been able to collect just Rs. 4.2 million for the repair work. "If financial assistance is not received from the government authorities and local tourism entrepreneurs, then it will be difficult to protect the temple." said a member of the conservation committee.
Related story
Reconstruction of Tal Barahi temple to begin soon
