Kalimpong, Aug. 12. - After serving as
a home for 300 years, a timeless piece of Lepcha architecture
at Kashyone village, about 6 kms from Pedong, is set to graduate
to a heritage haunt.
The Damsang Environment Conservation Eco
Tourism Organisation, which works for the promotion of eco-tourism
in Pedong and its outskirts, has chalked out plans to convert
the homestead into a museum that will also provide accommodation
to tourists visiting the area. `Maintaining the age-old structure
is an expensive proposition and the owners are not up to it.
Every three years, the roof has to be changed. This costs
around Rs. 10000 and the owners can not afford to spend such
a large amount.` said Sebastian Lepcha, director of the organisation.
`So, we have planned to convert the house into a museum and
also provide lodging for tourists. This way, the owner of
the house con sure that the Lepcha heritage is preserved.
As for the visitors, they can also taste traditional Lepcha
cuisine, delicacies that are gradually dying out.`
The museum, which will show the culture
of the Lepcha community, will be another attraction for the
tourists who come here. `We will be putting different items,
like the mortar and stone grinder and the clothes that the
Lepchas used to wear earlier, on show in the house to give
visitors an insight into the rich cultural heritage of the
tribe` he said.
Work has already begun on the facelift.
`We will try to complete the makeover by October, after which,
it will be opened to the public` Lepcha said.
Courtesy
The Telegraph |
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