Land Ownership Secured for 30 Taukhel Families

After nearly a decade of post-earthquake recovery work, 30 families in Taukhel, a  traditional Newa settlement in ward No. 9 of Chandragiri Municipality, Kathmandu have finally received their land ownership certificates on 8th July 2025. This milestone was made possible through the tireless efforts of Reconstruction and Community Development Management Committee, a community led committee. In the program, Lumanti's representative was invited to recognized its continuous support for this achievement.
Following the 2015 earthquake that destroyed over 70% of homes in Taukhel, Lumanti led a community-driven reconstruction and land consolidation process, working closely with the Reconstruction Management Committee, local authorities, and the Bishnu Devi Women Cooperative SACOOS. With technical and financial support from MISEREOR, Lumanti helped design a safer, more organized settlement complete with wider roads, open spaces, and secure housing.
Lumanti’s involvement in the project encompassed several key areas. The organization facilitated community mapping and participatory planning to ensure inclusive decision making. It provided reconstruction support for 107 homes, directly contributing to housing recovery efforts. Lumanti, with the technical support of Hunnarshala Foundation India, Community Architects Network (CAN)/Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR) played a crucial role in developing equitable land contribution methods to ensure fairness among community members in participatory way. Additionally, it worked closely with the Reconstruction Management Committee to mediate land disputes and manage plot realignment, helping to maintain harmony and order throughout the reconstruction project period. 
“This certificate brings us security after years of uncertainty. I would like to thank all the members of Reconstruction Management Committee, municipality, ward and Lumanti,” said recipient Ram Krishna Shrestha. Mayor Ghana Shyam Giri praised the project as a model of community-led planning, highlighting Lumanti’s vital role in turning vision into reality. Joining them, Devendra Maharjan, Coordinator of Reconstruction and Community Development Management Committee, Raj Bhai Maharjan, Ward Chairperson of ward no. 14, Chandragiri Municipality, Sanu Shrestha, Immediate Past Speaker of Bagmati Provience, Krishna Prashad Khadki, Ward Chairperson of ward no. 4 and Spokesperson of Chandragiri municipality, Kesab Lekhah, Officer, Department of Survey, Surendra KC, representative of community, Newton Maharjan, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator of Lumanti, also shared their remarks, celebrating this significant milestone and collective achievement.
The 30 families of Taukhel were overjoyed upon receiving the land ownership certificate after 10 years.