High Alan,
I think you raise some valid questions, yet "importing" literally thousands of metric tons of plastic coated wire to alleviate the housing needs of this region of Asia's needs I am not sure is a solution. I see, have seen, applicable applications of gabion technology in erosion control, even with traditional gabion baskets of bamboo, and here the modality does seem to excel in "some applications". Perhaps even as foundation building methods has some limited relevance, yet again this continues to breed a culture of "dependence" on none vernacular and outside solutions.
Nepal's forest management issues are of its own making for the most part, breed from too much outside acculturation, and only exacerbated by an economy that has become too tourist (outsider) influenced with "solutions." Over grazing, poor agricultural habits, poor fire wood forestry management practices, more
firewood production to meet the needs of more "outsiders" traveling to the region, all contribute greatly to this issue...virtually creating a cascade effect that is out of control in some areas. Nepal still has forest. It even has forest that could yield appropriate building timber for the needs of many more than it is serving. When the Nepalese Forestry Management Governmental offices are spending money and resources on documents explaining "basic wood drying methods" that are so parochial, outdated and poorly written, there is little wonder that the country is struggling in proper forest management methods and at the same time loosing vernacular architecture and the knowledge to build it.
I sit here in Vermont and could very well hold more vernacular knowledge about indigenous wood working methods of this region than anyone in there own government. That isn't meant or presented to be a grandiose statement, but a stark reality of how poorly managed and understood the situation there is. The current Nepalese government is doing little to effectively document what "knowledge holders" they have. Much of this is being done by outsiders like myself, Dr. Langebach, and many in the Historic Architecture and Anthropology departments of Indian Universities.
All in all, there are some huge issues and I am not certain if gabion (or any heavy dependence on them) is a solution. It strikes me more as a dirty band-aid on a festering wound that needs to be cleaned, debride and re-dressed. This
should be done from within the culture with proper methodology already still inherent in it... if it was better managed. Only tine will tell if they actually can get things organized for themselves, as I see it, outsiders are only muddling the
water with external solutions. I don't see NGOs and related actually helping in many ways. I am fairly confident that relying on "import" materials (especially heavily industrialized ones) probably isn't the best solution. Having a reasonably deep understanding of not only "gabion systems" but many vernacular timber related ones, I am not sure even in the west if gabion use much past foundation work and erosion control is ever the best way to build, or the most efficient of resources both fiscal, physical or mental.
Hope that rambling mess of a post makes sense??
Regards,
j
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) This could be a great way to use stone you have on your property particularly if you also have clay.
