Only 60 out of about 600 houses were inhabited, most of the victims did not come
Gupsipakha in Laprak, which has about 600 houses, is deserted. Most of the houses are locked. The generations and courtyards of Ritta's house have started to be covered with weeds. Some houses do not have windows and doors. Some have used Gupsipakha's house as a place to store potatoes.
After the earthquake of 12 May 2072, the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) constructed 573 houses and handed them over to the residents of Laprak in May 2077. Additional houses were constructed for some families who were missing from the beneficiary list. 9 lakh rupees was spent on the construction of a house. Most of the earthquake victims who came to Lalpurja due to house construction have not moved to Gupsipakha. Now only 60 houses are inhabited there.
Sukmaya Gurung, who moved to Gupsipakha after handing over the house, is not so satisfied. "A narrow house is fine for a family of four, but it is difficult when guests come," she said. Below is only a garden, no house. That's why we are staying here.' She said that many families did not stay in Gupsipakha because all the farmers were in old settlements.
Sukmaya told that it took an hour to pick wheat and barley and plant potatoes to reach the field near the old settlement of Laprak. "There is fear of living in Barkha in the village below, it is safer to stay here," she said.
A house has been built in Gupsipakha on an area of three annas. Locals say that this place is not suitable for animal husbandry. Marasin Gurung of Laprak says that the house is not being cared for because there are no people living in the slums. Since it is a cold place, they only come here to store potatoes because they don't spoil, otherwise people come here. There is also an excuse that it is very cold here," he said.
Along with the construction of the settlement, health posts and schools have also been built around Gupsipakha. Infrastructure such as sewerage and drinking water are under development. Even though crores of rupees were spent for the construction of the settlement, the locals did not show interest in living in Gupsipakha's house. Earthquake victims say that they could not live in slum houses unless they were connected to livelihood.
Ward president Kisan Gurung said that 60 families have been living regularly in Gupsipakha settlement. "Now is the season of farming, in the dry season some families are added to Gupsipakha," he said.
Even though the house in Gupsipakha is not suitable for a large family, the local residents have not shown interest in moving, said the ward chairman Kisan. According to him, the problem of water freezing during the cold season is also causing local problems in the slums.
