Traditional resting platforms being displaced with development

Palpa / Feb 14: The traditional resting platforms known as ‘chautari’ are being dislodged these days with the building of roads.

The chautaris are raised platforms often constructed beneath big shady trees beside rural trails where the travellers can rest after a tedious uphill climb. A chautari also acts as traditional public space where people can meet and talk on various issues, making it important from a social aspect.

But the chautaris are being demolished these days to construct motorable roads in growing numbers connecting one village to another. Chautaris that still stand are also in a state of neglect as only a few people walk the rural trails after construction of motorable roads.

Elderly people, however, are not happy with this development and they have been calling on the youth to preserve the chautaris.

Many chautaris in Rampur Municipality are being destroyed or are in a state of neglect for the same reasons.

“We feel very sorry for the state of chautaris, the heritage handed down by our ancestors, which are being destroyed and neglected in the name of road expansion and development. We should preserve our traditions while moving forward with development,” said Netra Prasad Tiwari, an elderly local of Rampur. RSS