Collaborative effort gets earthquake damaged Ideal Nursery School back on its feet in Mangan

DC NORTH INAUGURATES NEW 2-ROOM SCHOOL BUILDING
MANGAN, 06 Sept:  The District Collector (North), TW Khangsarpa, inaugurated the two-room school building of Ideal Nursery School in Mangan on 05 September.  The school building which was destroyed in last year’s earthquake was rebuilt with the help of a local NGO.
Ideal Nursery School is the oldest private school in North Sikkim and has been educating children from Mangan for the last thirty years.  In the seventies, local people felt the need to have a private nursery school where they could send their children to get a firm foundation in education.
Local people and government officials posted here collected money and provided free labour for building the school rooms.  Late Chewang Negi and Late Dr. Agnihotri were some of the prime movers behind this experiment.  Since its inception in 1982, the school has been run on a self sustaining basis by SM Tenzing.
The school structure was damaged beyond repair by last year’s earthquake.  The then DC, TN Kazi, promised a two-room bamboo prefab structure for housing the school children.  The platform for the structure as per sizes given by the fabricators was prepared and made ready during the winters.  Due to various reasons, despite repeated letters to the Government agencies involved, the prefab units were not sent.  So when a Gangtok-based NGO, Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS), approached the DC for choosing a school to provide post earthquake rehabilitation, Mr. Kazi immediately brought them over to Ideal Nursery School.  ECOSS is headed by PD Rai, Lok Sabha MP for Sikkim.
In a meeting between the School Management, ECOSS and Pan IIT engineers in May, various options were put forward including geodesic domes, bamboo structure and ekra frame.  Pan IIT is a group of IIT engineers who provide free consultancy and advice to disaster stricken areas.  They had visited Sikkim after the earthquake.
Ekra frame GCI roofing was finally chosen due to familiarity of construction method, lightness of the structure and reasonable cost.  The construction was started in June 2012.  To make it more earthquake proof the following innovations have been made in consultations with Pan IIT engineers.  A plinth band runs all round the base of the ekra frame.  Corner bracings have been provided to strengthen the ekra frame.  Wooden gusset frames and steel clamps have been added to make the truss and the truss frame connections stronger.
Similarly, in consultation with Pan IIT, Building as a Learning Aid (Bala) elements have been introduced to make the building more child-friendly.  Bala elements include symmetrical drawing on entrance door, ground level blackboards, grid boards and dot boards, engraved lettering for children to touch and learn, labelling of classrooms etc.
Future plans for Bala elements include painting more games on floors and verandahs, numbering of stairs, educational security grills including mock counters for buying & selling, protractors below doors, etc.  Another Gangtok-based NGO has promised the school a few computers which should be put in place within this academic session.
Regarding help for reconstruction, the school has to primarily thank ECOSS and Matrix Clothing for providing Rs 3 lakh for the two-roomed structure.  The money was used for constructing the two rooms and for building a small office and toilet and repairing and repainting the old room.
The Mangan Nagar Panchayat, through Zongmu Bhutia has also helped by providing Rs 25, 000 as ex gratia payment which was used in dismantling the old structure and making a platform for a new structure.
Area MLA, Tshering Wangdi provided 60 pre-painted GCI sheets through the RMDD housing scheme. Other NGOs and individuals have provided tents, water purifiers, buckets, etc. for helping the school tide over its last eight months under tents.

Reconstruction of earthquake damaged houses begins in Temi-Namphing

GANGTOK, 23 May: Temi Namphing MLA, BS Pant laid the foundation stone of Reconstruction of Earthquake Damaged Rural Houses [REDRH] at Namphing and Aifaltaar in a programme held on Tuesday. The constituency has become the first in the state to begin this scheme after the MLA laid the foundation stone for these two houses.
These houses are the first to be constructed in the state. The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling had earlier announced construction of pucca houses for the earthquake victims. A total of 14,000 houses will be constructed in the state under the Chief Minsiter Rural Housing Mission [CMRHM], Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana [MMAY] and REDRH of which 911 houses will be constructed in South under the REDRH scheme, informed District Development Officer, Namchi.
The beneficiaries and stakeholders were later provided orientation at the conference hall of the Block Administration Centre [BAC], Temi Tarku. Mr. Pant, the areal MLA, chaired the programme who in his address expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for providing the highest number of benefits to his constituency. He urged the beneficiaries for their involvement in the construction process. “It is the Chief Minister’s dream to provide these houses to earthquake victims”, he said and informed that the construction will take place under the supervision of the department.
The DDO urged for quality based construction stating that every construction will be later audited by a Chartered Accountant and Social Audit. The construction will be checked from time to time by the district committee, he informed.
The Block Development Officer [BDO], Temi Tarku, SK Pradhan informed that in the first phase, 156 houses will be constructed in the constituency. “We have considered those houses which are fully damaged by the quake. Altogether, a total of 446 houses were fully damaged in Temi-Namphing”, he informed adding that every house will be constructed using retro fitting technique.
These houses will be earthquake proof and with the use of good technology and new design is being initiated in the state with central funding, it was added.
“As the damaged houses in the area are totally collapsed, we recommended REDRH to all for which Rs. 4,89,000 for each house has been allotted.  The selection of beneficiary was made through the Gram Sabha”, informed Mr Pradhan.
AE, Akash Gurung appealed to NGOs and social organizations for a helping hand and urged the use of quality materials in the construction of these houses.

Final phase of ex-gratia distribution underway for East district

30 APRIL LAST DATE FOR COLLECTING EX-GRATIA
GANGTOK, 18 April: East District administration started the third and final phase of ex-gratia payment for houses damaged in the 18 September 2011 earthquake. The process is being handled through BDOs and the Gangtok Municipal Corporation in the district and began on 16 April. The DAC has appealed to the people in the final list to collect their ex-gratia payment by 30 April, stressing that no payment will be released after that date.
Addressing a press conference today, District Collector [East], D Anandan mentioned that the third and final survey was conducted in the month of January of the left out houses from the second phase and few complaints in segregation in damages in the last phase were also looked into. He added that some complaints were found genuine and were upgraded to higher damaged category.
The third and final phase survey covered 13,821 houses in East Sikkim and allocated Rs 8.17 crore towards ex-gratia payments.
The first phase covered 409 houses and an amount of Rs 1.10 crore was paid as ex-gratia, while the second phase covered 21,104 houses and payment of Rs 16 crore was made in East Sikkim.
The DC informed that a total of 35,334 houses were covered in three phases in East Sikkim and a total of Rs 25.27 crore has been paid as ex-gratia.
The third phase survey covered 1,055 houses in Martam, 1,816 in Gangtok, 741 in Duga, 720 in Rakdong-Tintek, 542 in Khamdong, 281 in Parakha, 1426 in Rhenock, 479 in Ranka, 1673 in Pakyong, 1365 in Regu, 358 in Kabi-Tingda and 3365 in GMC in East Sikkim.
The DC informed that the necessary funds have already been provided to the respective BDOs and GMC officials for ex-gratia payments. He further informed that the concerned officials will also be present in the disbursement centres to identify the genuine person. The beneficiary needs to present a photo identity at the centre to collect the ex-gratia and collection on behalf of someone will not be allowed except in special cases. The DC stressed that the payments will be made only till 30 April after which no further payments would be made.
He informed that the government has decided to reconstruct the totally collapsed houses in the rural area and for the same the RMDD has also made certain guidelines. Following the approval of these guidelines by the government, the works will be taken up immediately in the rural areas.

Governor apprised of State Government’s strategy to restore and rebuild earthquake damaged monasteries

GANGTOK, 14 Mar: A presentation on the State Government’s strategy to restore and rebuild the monasteries damaged during the 18th September 2011 earthquake was made before the Governor of Sikkim, BP Singh by the representatives of the Ecclesiastical Department, Cultural and Heritage Affairs Department and Building and Housing Department at Raj Bhavan Winter Camp today.
The representatives were led by the Additional Chief Secretary, R Ongmu and the presentation was made by Additional Town Planner, UDHD, Devika Chettri.
According to a press release issued by the Governor’s PRO, Mr Singh was informed that the Ecclesiastical Department had received reports of damages from 326 monasteries. Acting on the reports, the Ecclesiastical Department and the Building and Housing Department had undertaken a joint survey of monasteries. Following this, the Building and Housing Department has submitted detailed project reports for restoration, repair and minor retrofitting of 124 monasteries to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of India.
The Government of Sikkim has recognised 6 monasteries (Ringhim, Chawang,  Tashiding, Chungthang, Hungri and Tholung) as critically damaged and accordingly, DPRs for restoration works have been submitted to the Culture Ministry of the Central Government. The restoration process is being planned by involving the experts and also through design research, mapping and documentation, the release mentions.
The Governor emphasised that the monasteries in Sikkim lend a unique identity to it among the union of States. The State should do its best to ensure that the sanctity and beauty of the monasteries are maintained.
The release further informs that the Governor directed the Building and Housing Department to ensure that the restored and reconstructed monasteries, be made earthquake resistant. He also called for involvement of the local communities in the rebuilding process.
The Governor also expressed the need to create inventories of all the relics in the monasteries, the release adds.

Earthquake Damaged roads to be repaired on War footing by next Monsoon instructs CM

FUNDS READY FOR R&B DEPTT TO UNDERTAKE ROAD REPAIRS
GANGTOK, 16 Feb: The state Roads & Bridges department is finally all set to repair the damaged road network in the state with the government finally ready to release funds to the department. In fact, and as per the instructions of the chief minister, the department is targeting late February or early March by when work should commence as the repair works of damaged roads have to be completed before the onset of the next monsoon rains. As Secretary, GS Sharma stated, this is also the direction of the chief minister that road repair works should be completed as soon as possible for the convenience of the public as well as the tourists. Once work commences, it will be undertaken on a war footing, as the R&B Secretary stated.
The department is expecting funds to the tune of Rs.150 crore to Rs.200 crore for taking up repair and reconstruction of damaged roads in the state. This amount is to be released promptly and it is informed by the Secretary, R&B that the Detailed Project Reports are also on the verge of completion and which will be submitted to the state government within the week. These DPRs, prepared for the amount released, will then be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India. There is also the direction of the CM that the DPRs be submitted immediately.
The R&B department had initially made a DPR of Rs.1700 crore for undertaking all repair and reconstruction of roads damaged by the earthquake of 18 September, 2012. However as the central government is releasing funds under different sources and schemes the funds are being released piecemeal and for which the department had to rework on its DPRs for re-submission. It was also informed that the centre has assured that there will be more funds coming in the next financial year for the undertaking of road repairs and for which the department would again have to prepare another set of DPRs.
Secretary, GS Sharma informed that the extent of repair works to be undertaken will be according to the funds that the department will receive. In this respect it was informed that only those portions of roads which have been damaged will be repaired. The number of roads to be repaired will also depend on the amount released. Some roads which have been totally damaged would have to be carpeted again totally that is, 100%; other roads will receive carpeting depending on the extent of damage, which may range from 30% to 40% or 50% of the road length depending on the damage extent.
The department is targeting getting the roads ready by May or first week of June and the government is also seized of the fact that for this to be possible work has to commence immediately. Following the normal process of issuing tender notices etc takes a minimum of 45 days which would delay the repair works to be undertaken. In such a scenario where there is the need of urgency, especially in view of public convenience, there is a possibility that the government may decide to do the work departmentally and which is also provided for in the SPWD Code under a special provision.

Three schools in North district begin new academic session in temporary locations

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
MANGAN, 16 Feb:   The three schools in North Sikkim which suffered with extensive damages in the 18 September 2011earthquake will have to begin the new academic session this year from temporary locations.  These schools are Bop Primary School which falls under Lachen-Mangan constituency and Shipgyer Primary School and Sakyong Pentong Primary School both of which are in Dzongu constituency.   The school building of Bop Primary school was totally damaged and in fact the school had collapsed in the earthquake. The school had been shifted to Chungthang and classes were being held at the Chungthang Secondary School till end of the academic session’2011.
However for the new academic session the HRD department has managed to arrange a temporary location for the school and the school students in Bop itself. For the next few months the school will be operating from the community house located at the village at Bop.
Similarly, Sakyong Pentong Primary school has been shifted to Linzya School in Upper Dzongu by the department temporarily; the school building here too had suffered extensive damages in the earthquake. Also suffering major damages was the Shipgyer Primary School in Dzongu which is now operating from the Panchayat House. Apart from these schools, the Gor Secondary School and Tareng Primary School in Lower Dzongu also suffered major damages.
The Deputy Director HRDD North, while speaking to NOW! informed that the reconstruction of the damaged school buildings would start soon after the approval and sanction by the state cabinet; he further informed that the necessary infrastructure had been provided to these schools to enable them to run from temporary locations.  The Deputy Director further informed that the Sakyong Pentong Primary School could be converted to a residential school based if the need arises.

JICA on Sikkim recce to inspect and assess damages as well as progress of Forest projects

RS13.12 CRORE SANCTIONED BY JICA
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 03 Feb: Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] representatives are in the state at present to review the JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project [SBFP] and to assess the damages to the infrastructures under the Forest Department incurred by the 18 September earthquake. In response, JICA has sanctioned Rs 13.12 crore to provide financial support to the state to rebuild the Forest Department’s infrastructures devastated by the earthquake.
JICA representatives, Miho Horikawa and Vineet Sarin, arrived in the state on 31 January and have been visiting various project sites of SBFP and are also visiting other sites to make spot assessment of the damages to forest infrastructures in the state by the earthquake.
The JICA representatives accompanied by Forest Department officials made visits to various sites of SBFP project in East and North Sikkim to review the progress of the project on the field. They also participated in the stakeholder’s consultant workshop on ecotourism held at Dzongu on 31 January where Mr Sarin encouraged the locals to take full advantage provided by the JICA to develop ecotourism in Dzongu and to generate economical activities and also to safeguard their unique resources. The team also met the Dzumsas of Lachen and Lachung and discussed the conservation and livelihood priority of the community.
The JICA representatives interacted with the officials of SBFP, Project Management Unit [PMU] officers and Project Management Consultants [PMC] in a review meeting at Forest Department conference hall today.
In the meeting, SBFP, PMU and PMC briefed JICA representatives on the physical and financial progress of the activities under biodiversity conservation and forest management, ecotourism, joint forest management and infrastructure development.
Mr Sarin mentioned that they have been visiting various spots to review the physical works on the field. He expressed his happiness with the progress of the works under the SBFP till date. However, he indicated that there was a need to speed up the pace of works as there were many more coming up.
Mr Sarin stressed that focus needed to be given on the quality and on biodiversity protection and promotion of ecotourism in the state. Ecotourism projects will be a flag bearer for the whole country, he expressed. He stressed that the project will be beneficial to the state for the preservation and development of its biodiversity in a more scientific way.   However, he stated that the main focus of the project is to improve the socio-economic condition of the people. He mentioned that JICA would like to support Sikkim to rehabilitate and rebuild its damaged infrastructures.
Mr Sarin mentioned that the response and support from the state government is exemplary and encouraging and indicated the government’s interest towards the promotion of ecotourism and biodiversity preservation. He also observed that the people are also enthusiastic for the commencement of the project.
Ms Horikawa also expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the project in the state so far.
APCCF-cum-Project Director [SBFP], Dr Anil Mainra stated that all the suggestions given by the JICA representatives will be taken seriously and will be included in due course. He also expressed his gratitude to JICA for supporting Sikkim morally and financially in the time of natural disaster and for lending a helping hand in conserving the unique biodiversity of the state.
It was informed that during 2011-12, activities for village and forest development, income generation and capacity building and exposure visits for JFMCs and EDCs were included in the selected 45 targeted villages initially and plantation on 100 ha of land in 25 monasteries and temples were carried out. To enhance the biodiversity improvement efforts, 5 JFM nurseries and 5 propagation nurseries to propagate rare and important species have been established so far and construction work is in progress to create 6 Range Offices, 10 Block Offices and 4 Check Posts. In addition various manuals on the Ecotourism Policy, Joint Forest Management Manual and Community Organizers Manual have been developed.
It was informed that to strengthen the capacity of the Forest Department staff, a detailed training master plan and training plan has been prepared. Development of the GIS and MIS capacity of the Forest Department is on the track as formalities for acquisition for software and hardware and creation of facilities are in progress. Under the project various major infrastructures like Office Building at Deorali, Training Institute at Pangthang, Butterfly Park at Rang Rang are proposed and works are in various stages of development.