Construction
Construction of the main museum building is nearly completed. Some internal adjustments, external elements and ornamentation remain to be finalised. The adjacent museum cafe is 80% completed, while final configuration of the interior awaits the results of the SMA consultancy report (see below) and recommendations to be finalised by the end of January 2019.
Organisation
For the purposes of operation and management of TMLC, an ad-hoc committee has been established comprised of representatives from Tamagi Aamatoli and other local representatives, MDO and project founder Hem Gurung. Basudha Gurung has been nominated as chairperson of this ad-hoc committee with MDO taking on responsibility for secretarial functions including financial management. At present this committee has 11 members. Two separate bank accounts in the name of TMLC – one endowment fund and one to cover operating expenses – have been opened in Pokhara Finance. The endowment fund is initially in the amount of Rs. 600,000, shared equally between MDO and the project founder.
Strategy & Planning
TMLC has signed an agreement with Kathmandu-based consultancy/NGO Sustainable Mountain Architecture. SMA will deliver a vision document recommending strategies to secure the sustainability of TMLC and facilitate the revival of Tamagi Village.
Clearing of trails and maintenance
of sites around Tamagi
A much-needed facelift facilitates secure passage along the network of trails and has greatly enhanced the physical appearance of Tamagi.
September 2018: Tamagi trails MROJE-CHYASINEH-NAICHE-DEVITHAN-KOIFERA-AASHIMAYO-JHAKRITHAN-TO KHOGYO were cleared. Nearly 20 locals were engaged, and the cost was covered by Hem. This work was supervised by Prem lal.
October 2018: Between Dashai and Dipavali the following sectors were cleared: TAMAGI VILLAGE-CHAUDHUKHOLA, TAMAGI VILLAGE-LISANDHU-KYUMOLA-PADHYA, TAMAGI VILLAGE-KHOGYU. Nearly 20 locals were hired to carry out this work. Expenses were covered by Tamagi Samaj UK and Tamagi Aamatoli. Work was supervised by Kaila and Hem.
The process of renovating the VDC-bhawan (building), the old primary school and the MDO-bhawan in Deurali has been initiated. Due to Maoist unrest in the country these three bhawans (buildings) connected to various institutions have been more or less abandoned and neglected for the last 15 years. In November a joint effort to clean up the area was undertaken, and a group of local residents recruited to carry out maintenance of this onetime development-oriented focal point for surrounding communities. Fencing and stone trails were repaired. All cost was borne by MDO and work was carried out under the supervision of Hem.
There is clearly a potential for mobilizing committed local resources for the purposes of community development as the road connection between Pokhara and Tamagi improves and the ideas connecting TMLC and the vision of a revived Tamagi take shape. It is our intention to promote and facilitate these efforts.