Benefit Potential of Gravity Goods Ropeway in Southern Lalitpur, Nepal

Nepal is an agriculture-based mountainous country. Most rural people consistently face the challenge of arduous journeys up and down the steep mountains and hills. The gravity goods ropeway presents a cost-effective alternative for transportation in mountainous and hilly regions. This study aims to asses benefit potential (economic and social) of the gravity ropeway in six settlements of southern Lalitpur district, Nepal. The study conducted a household survey with a sample of 90 households. Economic and social benefits of the ropeway on the lives of its user households were identified. Improved market access for agricultural and dairy products was observed, leading to reduced annual expenditure on porters and time spent on laborious journeys. This resulted in increased family income and a reduction in poverty levels. Moreover, the introduction of the ropeway facilitated saving and credit activities, thereby enhancing the socio-economic status of residents in surrounding villages. Changes in living standards, including clothing patterns, consumption behaviors, and housing, were significant. However, school enrollment patterns and quality parenting were found to be unsatisfactory. There was a slight decrease in dependency on forest resources for firewood and timber, while the utilization of grass and fodder increased after the installation of the ropeway. To ensure sustainability, it is essential to maximize regular utilization of the ropeway. Therefore, local governments must provide technical and financial support to villagers for producing off-seasonal products and seasonal fruits. Encouraging farmers to increase the volume of agricultural and dairy products can help address deficits in supply and regular utilization.

Introduction

Transport and mobility are essential aspects of everyday human life as they keep people connected. Limitations concerning travel isolate people from markets. Lack of marketing and mobility are thus regarded as the main contributing factors to poverty. Mobility is fundamental and an important characteristic of economic activity as it satisfies the basic need of people by allowing them to travel from one location to another accessible location. Access connotes the ability to travel and transport goods. Access is a fundamental issue in the social as well as economic development of any society. It helps people to connect with markets and services (Laxman, 2009) and enhances social interaction as well as facilitates market access for people. Poor accessibility not only restricts the movement of people and goods but also restricts the flow of ideas and technologies.

The world has become smaller due to the advanced means of transport and communication available in modern times. One can travel great distances within a short time and make contact with anybody in any part of the world immediately. A good system of transport networks is needed for a country’s economic and social growth. Good transportation helps industries to get their raw materials, and agricultural as well as finished goods get markets. It also contributes to flourishing trade and business. Transport facilitates local products to find markets. However, the lack of transport makes all these activities difficult, obstructing overall socio-economic development.

A gravity goods ropeway is a low-cost alternative/complementary means of transport that gives mountain communities access to markets (Josephet al., 2018; Governance of Uttarakhanda [GoU], 2018). Ropeways are one of the safest, smoothest, and most reliable modes of transport. The gravity ropeways are eco-friendly mode of transport which requires no electricity (Shrestha, 2004). It is very straightforward to construct, run and carry out maintenance work. According to Shrestha (2004), gravity ropeway technology can be set up on any gradient location or across the gorge and river as per our convenience.

Nepal is a landlocked country with China to the North and India to the East, West, and South. Easy rural access is still a major problem in the country. Two-thirds of the country’s area comprises hills and mountains. Many of Nepal’s mountainous districts are classified as extremely remote areas and are still inaccessible by road. Hundreds of settlements in the villages of many of Nepal’s districts still do not have road connectivity. Approximately, 50% of Nepal’s population are inhabitant of mountainous or hilly regions. Settlements are scattered, with few densely populated areas. Difficult geography, poor accessibility, and scattered settlements are major hurdles in the delivery of essential services and rural development (DoLIDAR, 2010). Accessibility in the hills and mountains has been one of the main development challenges of the country, hindering the dispatch of necessary services as well as carrying out developmental activities.

The most difficult terrain and challenging geological circumstances have made the expansion of road network financially demanding, physically challenging and environmentally dangerous. Similarly, constructing roads and bridges in mountainous regions proves arduous, expensive, and demands regular repairs due to landslides, alongside causing environmental deterioration (Yadav & Khura, 2015). Therefore, it has been obstructing the movement of people, transport of goods and services, and hampering efforts of development. Transport of goods via pedestrian trails by humans and animal (mule) carriers is still a familiar feature of most of the hill and mountain areas of the country, as it was the only means of transport throughout Nepal up to the late 1950s (DoLIDAR, 2010). However, now, roads are one of the common modes of modern transport. Roads and vehicles are considered symbols and preconditions of development, to enhance the accessibility of rural people, to promote easy mobility. But only the conventional mode of transportation is not enough for promoting accessibility in remote hills and mountains.

With the commence of planned development efforts in Nepal, initiatives of road construction is getting utmost priority as part of country’s overall development efforts. However, the bitter reality is that a substantial number of people and human settlements, including only one Humla district headquarter, are yet to be connected by the road network. Considering the budget constraint in Nepal, the road network is not going to reach each and every settlement of the country in the near future. Likewise, Building roads and air transport infrastructure involves significant economic resources and environmental expenses for the nation as it costs huge money to transport the construction materials via roadways and there is a high prospect of damage from landslides as well. Due to the nature of settlements and low density, investments in road construction will not be feasible either. For such low-density areas and settlements in the hills where there is virtually rare possibility to be connected by the road network sooner, the gravity ropeways could serve an innovative and appropriate solutions. It provides a means of transportation particularly for rural and mountain dwellers. As a mode of transport, the gravity ropeway is being used in Nepal for so many years. In the 1920s, the first major ropeway in Nepal was installed (Intermediate Technology Development Group [ITDG], 1997). After that, in 1964, an upgraded system was operated (Simkhada & Upadhyaya, 2004). While there has been a slowdown in the advancement of large-scale ropeway projects, installment and operation of smaller-scale systems continued up until now.

A gravity ropeway is a mode of transport by which goods or passengers are transported along a rope or cable. It is a mode of transport that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers. It is a transport system for materials or people, used especially in mines or mountainous areas. It is a conveyance in which special types of carriers are connected to an uplifted cable to support the movement of goods, supplies, or people between two locations (Bhandariet al., 2015). Ropeway is a short-distance, simple transportation means, and easily maintainable by the local people within the low-cost limit compared to the development of road networks. Good access to resources is the most fundamental requirement for securing sustainable livelihoods (DoLIDAR, 2010).

The ropeway is one of the inexpensive means of rural transportation. On the other hand, Laxman, (2009), argues that construction of roads is generally very resource-intensive, extensive, and time-consuming. Likewise, transporting agricultural produce to potential markets via air-transport is non-economic. Hence, ropeways help in improving mountain access and significantly reduce time spent on transporting mountain goods, reducing labor expense and effort (Banskotaet al., 2006). The ropeway is environmentally friendly technology too (Laxman, 2009) proving a viable alternative mode of transport and ideal for the mountains. Though the ropeway is the oldest mode of transport in Nepal, the use of ropeway in Nepal is virtually non-existent of late; it has been really necessary to develop suitable modes of transport like ropeway in the part of rural hills country making the enhancing the quality of life for impoverished rural communities (Intermediate Technology Development Group [ITDG], 1997; Laxman, 2009). One of the major causes of rural poverty is a lack of transportation facilities and its inaccessibility. Lack of transportation facility in rural areas is one of the vital hurdles and crucial impedances in every development effort.

In the context of Nepal’s rural areas, simple technologies like goods ropeway are less expensive and immensely useful to transport the local goods to the market as well as market goods to the remote villages. It is one of the most suitable, cost effective, easy to operate, and locally managed transport systems for people residing in remote areas of difficult terrain. It improves the accessibility of poor communities living in isolated areas and boosts their living standards. However, economic, and social advantages of gravity ropeway have not adequately investigated. Based on this limited knowledge base on its economic and social benefits on the lives of rural people, it is difficult to set plans and strategies for its development or replication in other places. It is essentially urgent to contribute to the aspects of research and development. Therefore, this study tried to assess benefit potential (economic and social) of the gravity ropeway on the lives of rural people living around Southern Lalitpur district of Nepal.

Ropeway and Its Socio-economic Impact

Access is a vital component for the socio-economic development of a country. Improved access to physical facilities and social services is considered a significant factor in development (Sapkota, 2018). Inaccessibility of agricultural products and resources to markets severely hinders the supply of goods and services to mountain communities (Phartiyal, 2006). Local communities must have access to markets to improve the economic activities of local communities and alleviate poverty level (Pasaet al., 2024). However, difficult terrain and lack of road connectivity are major problems for most farmers to transport their local products to the market, which is regarded as a global problem. For instance, farmers in in Tanzania spend several hours transporting goods up or down steep mountain paths to reach markets, enduring a grueling journey (Awadh & Paul, 2007). Thus, government mechanisms have installed ropeways as environment-friendly rural transport options in potential areas.

Access is vital in this age of globalization. Cost-effective and suitable modes of transport to specific areas are essential in order to fulfill the national goals of social and economic upliftment (Singh, 2004). Due to its difficult terrain, roads in mountain areas cannot cover the diverse settlements of mountain areas although inexpensive and labor-reliance roads have been designed to reduce construction costs of road construction (Phartiyal, 2006). Hence, an alternative, cheaper, and eco-friendly technology is required for enhancing rural accessibility since construction of roads is not always possible. In those areas where road construction is not viable or it is harmful to environment, ropeways are suitable alternative (Dhakal, 2004). Apart from that ropeways contribute to the improvement of agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, mining, small scale industry, and local tourism (Pasaet al., 2024; Pandey, 1995).

It is evident that a road has positive correlation with the income of local farmers as it provides market access to agricultural products. But the limited access of village road in Nepal hindering the economic aspirations of Nepali farmers. However, adequately planned ropeways help dwellers of rural villages to get access to market (Gyawali & Dixit, 2004). Not only the large or integrated rural settlements, even the people from the most distant hamlets benefit from it (Pasaet al., 2024). Ropeways allow farmers to get access to markets for their rural cash agricultural produce, providing a higher economic return than traditional crops (Phartiyal, 2006).

Ropeway and Its Relation to the Environment

For hill people, simple ropeways can be an appropriate means of establishing connections. The construction of roads in the mountains poses considerable environmental and financial challenges (Phartiyal, 2006). However, ropeways can be built at a reasonable cost (Dhakal, 2004; Practical Action Nepal [PAN], 2006). Ropeways are not complex infrastructure. It is very nominal structure at ground level and it appropriate for country like Nepal which is prone to earthquake and landslide prone (Banskotaet al., 2006). Road construction is often blamed for causing landslips, landslide, and land erosion specially in hilly areas of Nepal. However, constructing ropeways does not create such a situation. It neither causes landslides and floods nor they contribute pollution (Hagen, 2004). For technological and environmental point of view, ropeways are a suitable mode of transport because it has lower maintenance costs and less likely to be vulnerable to landslides and floods. Ropeways contributes to environment conservation by establishing avenues to reduce reliance on natural resources such as forest products (Bhandariet al., 2015; Practical Action Nepal [PAN], 2005).

Method

This study employed a quantitative research approach (Creswell, 2013) and survey design (Gupta & Gupta, 2015) to assess the economic and social benefits of the gravity ropeway in the study area. The required data were collected from 90 sample households (21.63% of the total population) selected from a total of 416 beneficiary households through using self-administered household survey questionnaires. During the analysis, descriptive and cross-sectional approaches (Cohenet al., 2018) were used to assess economic and social benefits and identify changes or similarities before and after the operation of the ropeway.

Site Selection

Purposively, Bhttedanda village located in southern belt of Lalitpur district has been selected for the study. The study site is approximately 23 km far from the capital city Kathmandu. The southern belt of Lalitpur including Lele village is becoming popular for producing and supplying commercial vegetables and dairy products to the urban dwellers residing in capital city. In this regions, agricultural is a primary occupation of the villagers (Pasa, 2018). With the aim of transporting daily essentials to remote villagers, the Bhttedanda-Majhkhanda gravity ropeway was put into operation in 2011. This material ropeway covers transport facilities for 416 households residing in Ikudol, Asrang, and Pyutar villages. It has been supporting villagers in transporting vegetables and other village produce to the market below and bringing fertilizers, household and kitchen needs, and other agro-based accessories back to the village. However, the ropeway has not been used for human mobility and transportation purposes.

This gravity goods ropeway was installed after the successful completion of a 2.8 km material bi-cable ropeway called Bhattedanda Milkway at Jhankridanda in the southern belt of Lalitpur district. The material ropeway is a further extension of this Milkway, which was conceptualized in 2007 with financial assistance from the Government of Nepal, Poverty Alleviation Fund, and District Development Committee Lalitpur (Ropeway & Cablecar, 2024). The construction of the material ropeway was done to extend the Milkway with the aim of providing benefits to milk-producing farmers residing within one day’s walking distance from the end station of the Milkway. The milkway was installed in 1993 with the grant assistance of the EU and the government of Nepal (Ropeway & Cablecar, 2024). The aim was to transport milk and other agricultural products from the village to the nearest roadhead to improve the livelihoods of milk-producing farmers.

The Bhattedanda-Majhkhanda Material ropeway provided affordable market access for fresh milk, which was previously sold as ‘khuwa’ (i.e., the solid and relatively non-perishable concentrate left after boiling down milk). Prior to its installation, people had to collect fuelwood and use it to boil down 4 liters of fresh milk for each kilogram of khuwa produced. Due to the additional time required and the use of firewood, this method was environmentally damaging and less profitable than selling fresh milk for the villagers. Although the ropeway is recommended as the most suitable for ensuring rural access, the efforts in Nepal towards ropeway development are nowhere near satisfactory. In fact, political leaders, policymakers, and planners have completely turned a blind eye to the promotion and development of ropeways (Gyawali & Dixit, 2004, p. 247; Gyawali & Dixit, 1996; Dixit & Upadhya, 2004). The study area has 416 households, of which an overwhelming approximately 75% are indigenous Tamang communities, and the remaining around 25% are Brahmins/Chhetris including Dalits.

Results and Discussion

Access to Transportation and Marketing

Before the operation of the ropeway, people faced drudgery in hauling goods to and from the village head. It took two to three hours to carry an average load of 65 kg. A comparative analysis of time, cost, and porter requirements before and after the ropeway installation was conducted. The study found that the majority (37.8%) of sample respondents viewed that the ropeway has brought transformation in marketing facilities. After the installation of the ropeway, it helped people to access their agricultural produce, including milk and vegetables, to the market. Many households transport their vegetable production and daily consumables using the ropeway. An overwhelming number of households (89.1%) use the ropeway on a daily basis for transporting goods and loads, while only 10.9% use it less frequently or occasionally. The study area depends on agriculture as its primary source of income, with animal husbandry (milk production and selling) being a major source, followed by the production of green vegetables and fruits.

Economic Benefit Analysis

The trend in agricultural production has increased as households engage more in milk production and farming various crops. Milk production has more than doubled (33.95 kiloliters per year) compared to before the operation of the ropeway. Similarly, cucumber production has increased four-fold, while bean and pea production has increased three-fold and two-fold, respectively. The use of the ropeway provides easy access to market for agro products, leading to higher income generation. The study found that the highest%age (50%) of households earn between Rs. 100,000 to 199,000 yearly, followed by 31.1% who earn between Rs. 50,000 to 99,000, and 17.8% who earn between Rs. 200,000 to 299,000 per year.

The study further revealed that after the installation of the ropeway, the highest% age (38.9%) of households earn between Rs. 200,000 to 299,000 yearly, followed by 27.8% who earn between Rs. 100,000 to 199,000 annually, and 20% who earn above Rs. 300,000. Additionally, the study found a decrease in households earning between Rs. 50,000 to 99,000 (from 31.1% to 13.3%) and an increase in households earning above Rs. 300,000 (from 0.1% to 20%) after the installation of the ropeway.

Expenditure of households is also regarded as a strong indicator of living standards. The study found that the majority (30%) of respondents’ expenditure falls between Rs. 50,000 to 99,000, followed by 28.9% who expend between Rs. 100,000 to 199,000. Additionally, 20% of respondents’ expenditure exceeds Rs. 200,000, while 21.1% expend between Rs. 30,000 to 49,000 annually. From the field study, it was observed that most beneficiaries in the study area, after the operation of the ropeway, have increased their savings from the sale of milk and vegetables. The study found a significant increase in household savings after the operation of the ropeway. Moreover, respondents noted that changing socio-economic status and economic well-being of the farmers were major impacts of the ropeway operation. Availability of transportation facilities has contributed to higher agricultural production and income generation for local people. Adhikari (2011) also revealed that gravity goods ropeway in Gholechappra settlement at Bukhel Lalitpur helped improve the livelihoods of local farmers and increase their marketing facilities and economic activities.

Social Benefit Analysis

The occupational status of the respondents has also changed before and after the operation of the ropeway. The majority (54.3%) of households are engaged in agriculture after the operation of the ropeway, compared to 45.5% before. Similarly, the second-highest majority (31.1%) of households are involved in animal husbandry, such as buffalo keeping and goat rearing. People involved in animal husbandry increased from 22.2% to 31.1% after the ropeway intervention. Moreover, the % age of respondents engaged as wage earners decreased from 21.1% before the operation of the ropeway to 3.9% after, while those involved in business increased from 3.9% to 7.8%. However, the%age of respondents in some types of government jobs remained the same at 3.9% before and after the operation of the ropeway. The main reason for these changes is the availability of easy transportation for agricultural goods.

Due to social stratification and existing gaps between good and poor social status, the nature and features of villagers’ houses determine the social and economic status of family members. The majority (87.1%) of respondents’ houses are made of stone and mud with aluminum sheet roofs, while 12.9% have thatched roofs. Access to transportation has not only helped people improve their livelihoods but also their social status and physical well-being. Magar (2016) also found significant social contributions of gravity ropeways in Ikudol village. The ropeway has also become an effective means of improving food security and livelihoods of the communities.

Use of Forest and Firewood

In the village, locals use various forest products in their social life, including firewood, timber, grass, and fodder. Dependency on forest products, such as firewood and timber, has slightly decreased after the ropeway, while the use of grass and fodder has increased. Transportation access has significantly reduced the consumption of firewood, as locals can now sell milk directly instead of making Khuwa (dried milk product used in Asian cuisine) which required large amounts of firewood. Additionally, other alternatives like bio-gas facilities and improved cooking stoves have reduced dependency on firewood. However, growth in animal husbandry, such as buffalo keeping, due to easy transportation, has increased dependency on the forest for grass and fodder (Pradhan & Pradhan, 2006). Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and inorganic insecticides for agriculture may cause serious damage to soil quality, ecosystems, and human health.

Conclusion

The study concludes that gravity goods ropeways (Bhttedanda-Majhkhanda) have brought both economic and social benefits to the beneficiaries households. Annual family income and savings have significantly increased which helped to improve economic status and family well-being of the beneficiaries. Besides, the time, cost, and physical burden required to transport goods from the village to the market have been reduced by almost 90%. The ropeway has thus reduced the physical burden and time required to supply local products to the market. The living standards of the beneficiaries in terms of clothing, consumption behavior, and shelter patterns also have been improving. However, challenges remain in areas such as school enrollment of the children, quality parenting role of the parents and their health-seeking behavior.

Policy Implications

The installation of gravity ropeways in hilly terrain for the transportation of agricultural products and other materials is feasible from technical, environmental, social, and economic perspectives. However, some policy implications were highlighted by the empirical findings of the study. It was observed that the speed of the ropeway is insignificantly affected by the loading capacity, and actual loading ratios should be carefully evaluated and maintained for sustainable use. Involvement of academia and social research is required to prepare technical guidelines, explore potential complementary transport means, identify policy hurdles, and propose conducive policies. Strong and trained market management committees are prerequisites for proper operation, livability, and sustainability. Additionally, government mechanisms need to upgrade technical standards and regulatory policies to address challenges related to technology complexity, limited speed, and maintenance. The government can consider recommending the installation of inclined lift gravity goods ropeways with a speed of 10 km/h and a capacity of 600 PPH.