By Prem Raj Simkhada,Kalikot, Dec. 22: The traditional appeal of Karnali's settlements, usually constructed with locally available materials, is slowly disappearing as modern construction materials and techniques become more common. Once identical to heritage and sustainability, these indigenous designs are now being replaced by corrugated zinc sheets, marking a significant shift in the region’s architectural landscape.
Previously, most of the houses in Tilagufa Municipality of the district had wooden roofs. Now, they are being replaced by zinc sheets. In Ward No.
3 of Tilagufa, traditional houses used locally cut stone, white kaolin clay, or lime mortar for walls, while porches were decorated with large, flat stone slabs. Doorways were coated with red clay as part of a tradition that is now fading. As these customs disappear, the villages are beginning to lose their distinct charm.
Elderly residents of Phoi Mahadev shared their memories of the past. Wooden roofs were built to cope with heavy snowfall, allowing snow to melt quickly. According to local resident Ain Bahadur Shahi, the large, flat stone slabs used in construction helped to retain warmth, but wooden roofs were essential to endure prolonged snowfall.
When fires were lit inside homes, the smoke would help melt snow accumulated on the roofs. In the past, bringing corrugated sheets from distant towns like Rajapur, Nepalgunj or Rupaidia was impractical. However, the shift to metal roofs has altered the aesthetic of .
