Building Bridges, Building Jobs

Narharinath Rural Municipality is situated in the hilly region of the district, comprising 9 wards. The primary sources of income for the residents of this rural municipality are agriculture, animal husbandry, and business. They rear their livestock, which they then trade between villages, and sometimes venture as far as Surkhet, Rakam, Jite, and Khulalu to purchase essential goods. These journeys involve crossing rivers via wooden bridges, occasionally resulting in accidents.

Most individuals in this rural municipality rely on these wooden bridges, which are vulnerable to damage from waves and floods. Consequently, the movement of people, trade, and livestock is hindered when these bridges become inaccessible. To address these challenges, HuRENDEC, Nepal initiated the construction of a suspension bridge through the Tail Bridge Support Unit program in 2062BS. Communities in wards 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 of Narharinath Rural Municipality expressed their need for a bridge during ward meetings to formulate an integrated plan. Subsequently, Narahari Nath Rural Municipality awarded a contract to the local organization HuRENDEC to construct the bridge. This suspension bridge now connects wards 1 and 8, facilitating trade, movement, and livestock rearing for the local communities.

The iron suspension bridge, a community-level project, is expected to endure for a minimum of 40 years and stands 250 meters above the river and stream. Additionally, this initiative has contributed to reduced deforestation, aiding in the conservation of biodiversity and providing employment opportunities. An employee expressed their gratitude to Helvetas, Nepal, Narharinath Rural Municipality, and HuRENDEC, Nepal for their contributions, which have not only built the Amrilmandu suspension bridge but also improved road infrastructure for easier transportation.