Barpak After the Quake: Rebuilding at the Cost of Identity (Photos)

Barpak (Gorkha) — Once known for its uniform stone-roofed houses and a distinct cultural identity, Barpak in Gorkha is now increasingly falling under the grip of modernity.

The settlement, which became the epicenter of the devastating 2015 earthquake, is gradually losing its historical and cultural authenticity in the course of reconstruction.

Today, walking through Barpak’s neighborhoods reveals piles of cement, sand, and steel rods everywhere. Narrow roads are filled with tractors, laborers digging foundations, and concrete structures in their final stages—displacing the village’s old charm.

According to local resident Mohanbhagi Gurung, the post-earthquake drive for safety and a display of economic status has fueled a race to build concrete houses. “With foreign employment bringing money into the village, those who can afford it are building cement houses, while others are repairing old ones,” he said.

However, this transformation has left visitors disappointed. Dipesh Darshandhari, who traveled from Kathmandu, remarked, “It’s quieter than Kathmandu, but Barpak has lost its originality. A place that carries the legacy of Gurkha bravery and earthquake history should have preserved its local identity and style.”

Not just infrastructure, but food habits and lifestyles are also shifting toward dependence. Once rich in local produce like maize, barley, wheat, millet, and sesame, Barpak now increasingly relies on imported food items due to improved road access. Vegetables and other supplies from Chitwan and Gorkha Bazaar are overshadowing local production.

Although Barpak—widely known as the village of Lahures—has drawn global attention, preserving its historical essence and cultural identity remains a growing challenge. There is an urgent need to protect traditional architecture and promote local products for sustainable tourism. Otherwise, Barpak risks turning into a well-equipped but identity-less town in the future.

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