We spoke to Govind RajPokharel, former chairman of National Planning Commission who also briefly served as chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction Authority, on challenges he sees in ensuring an effective reconstruction process. Excerpts: 

National Reconstruction Authority has finally been formed nine months after the earthquake. When do you think the reconstruction process can realistically begin in full swing?

In my view, the authority will be in the field only after the New Year of Nepali Calendar (mid-April). This crisis is an opportunity to rebuild properly. Therefore, the process should start only after proper study and evaluation. In the immediate aftermath of the quake, the initiative to prioritise temporary shelters built with zinc sheets instead of tents and tarpaulin was adopted taking into account that it will take around two years to complete the reconstruction as developing a system itself takes time. Reco-nstruction is not just a physical effort , it is a comprehensive multidimensional package, which covers social, cultural and economic aspects too.

What would these systems be?

First, a geological study of all the places has to be conducted. Second, a plan has to be developed for integrated settlement. There may be some objections to the concept, but authorities should convince the people. It’s high time—in districts like Sindhupalchok where some 90 percent settlements have been collapsed—we undertook the integrated housing approach.

Expert teams should be mobilised in all 600 disaster-affected VDCs from 31 districts to conduct feasibility studies for integrated settlements. The reconstruction authority is a strong body, which has the power to purchase, sale and acquire land.

After completing this, the focus has to be on capacity building of the locals so that they could be involved in the entire reconstruction process. With the support from the Council for the Technical Education and Vocational Training, the authority should start plumber, carpenter and electrician training. Five years down the line, we will have ample trained human resource in the field which could be used in every development project, from road construction and drinking water supply to bridge construction. We can make a mandatory provision for using certified human resource in every development project.

The physical reconstruction process begins only after these prerequisites have been met. Along with physical, social, institutional and economic reconstruction should be undertaken simultaneously. Institutional reconstruction is mainly about developing a system. For social rebuilding, we have to prioritise socially marginalised communities like the Dalits and people with disabilities for skill development and mobilise them in the reconstruction. Economic and livelihood prospects for each of these reconstruction areas need to be identified. Based on the prospects, the people should be imparted with the skills, it could be agricultural, livestock farming or other entrepreneurial skills.

If only physical reconstruction is adopted, chances are people will migrate to other places in search of jobs, meaning all the investment in reconstruction of houses will be a wastage. Personally, I prefer economic reconstruction to physical reconstruction.

Has the earthquake increased awareness at both individual- and institutional-level? 

It has. But especially in the government, there are both pessimists and optimists. The pessimists fear the lessons of the earthquake will be soon forgotten and that it will be soon business as usual. The optimists see it differently and feel the government should play a strong role in enforcing the laws, while providing a better framework for development.

What in your view are challenges for this multi-year, multi-billion-rupee reconstruction processes?

A major challenge is human resource management—from administrative staffs in the centre to reconstruction workers in the field. Second is coordination and collaboration. Coordinating with political parties, lawmakers, I/NGOs and philanthropists is a difficult task. Third challenge is managing resources and construction materials. Donors have pledged Rs400 billion, but ensuring that we receive the entire amount needs a smart management. And, the amount is not enough if we include economic reconstruction.