Galeshwor Ashram, which is home to around 200 elderly citizens and 150 vedic students, in Devghat area is at risk of erosion and landslide.

Devghat, which is situated at the confluence of Trishuli and Kaligandaki rivers in Tanahun, was struck by a massive landslide in July. The landslide had occurred just off the ashram compound facing the Trishuli river.

“Besides the landslide, the ashram also faces risk from river erosion,” said Tankanath Paudel, the chairman of Devghat Area Development Committee.

He claimed that the government was not paying enough attention towards conserving the ashram, much less the Devghat area considered sacred by Hindus.

Although a team, led by the local development officer, had inspected the area twice after the landslide, the local administration has not made any efforts towards mitigating the danger faced by the area.

Mahendraraj Pyakurel, the ashram manager, said several huts and pathways inside the ashram could be destroyed if an embankment is not constructed before next monsoon. Eighty-seven-year-old ashram resident, Belananda Saraswoti, said she will have nowhere else to go besides the ashram, her home for the past 15 years. 

Chief District Officer Dipak Subedi claimed that  he has already  directed the District Soil Conservation and Forest Office to start works for embankment construction.

“We have also urged the centre to come up with a plan to conserve Devghat,” he added.