•          A draft version of the TMLC ‘Vision Document’ will be submitted by Sustainable Mountain Architecture (SMA) by 15th of February. The final document taking into account feedback from TMLC management will be submitted by end of February.

•          The main idea behind SMA’s ‘Vision Document’ is to recommend steps that help to identify and integrate the various objectives of the TMLC project. Its primary purpose is to create a holistic vision that will “…clearly outline the starting points, requirements, the challenges, opportunities and potential of the project.”  SMA informs us that what they refer to as a “storyboard” will present the TMLC initiative through “impressions and illustrations… that can be used on all levels to communicate the idea and vision to all stakeholders, including the community.” After detailed discussions with SMA, we feel that they are now on much more solid ground with regard to our intentions and moving ahead.

More and more detailed information from the extended Tamagi Community will be needed as the project evolves, but we recognize that this will be an ongoing activity. Details surrounding village homestays, available artifacts for display and the ex-Gurkha profession and culture will be compiled. And – importantly – someone responsible for the INTERPRETATION of our vision will need to be recruited.

•          Several stakeholder meetings have been carried out, canvassing opinions and gathering insights from individuals and organizations at different levels. This process has emphasized collaboration, encouraging active participation among stakeholders. Groups participating in this ongoing process are TMLC, SMA, MDO, Mothers Group of Tamagi and others from Tamagi community. We anticipate that this process will contribute to the following objectives:

• Comprehensive data/info collection on Community Development activities carried out during the last 30 years.

• Collection of information on history of and facts relating to the Gurkha Soldiers of Tamagi.

• Detailed mapping of Tamagi Village  (including all physical structures, their function and recent occupants), providing historical insights as well as a knowledge-base for future initiatives within the village, for example homestay and facilities for visitors, organic farming, temporary or permanent extensions of TMLC exhibitions, etc.

Under the coordination and guidance of Basudha (Chairperson of TMLC and the group of collaborating organizations/persons) and assisted remotely by Hem and Per in Norway, Madhu in UK and Gautam in NY,  these activities have yielded relevant information for the ‘Vision Document’ and for future reference.

Alisha Adhikari of SMA writes in her minutes from the meeting in Pokhara, “We had the meeting with MDO, Mother’s group, the Tamagi community/TMLC team on 17th December. It was a great meeting, similar to our previous meeting, in the sense that there was a lot of enthusiasm and ideas from everyone.” 

•          In addition to these local stakeholder meetings, a separate consultation between SMA and Basudha on the content of the ‘Vision Document’ was carried out in Kathmandu.

•          Basudha of TMLC together with other members participated in a meeting held in Pokhara in February. Apart from the general discussion on the abandoned situation of their native village, issues like possible use of the currently unoccupied houses for revival project purposes like a homestay, etc. were discussed.

 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.