Kalimpong, April 10: The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association has appealed for funds to save the traditional Lepcha houses from crumbling down.

?The houses are more than 100 years old and are heritage structures in their own right. But despite this, there are hardly any funds to conserve them. We are doing our bit, but it is not enough to save all the traditional-style Lepcha houses in this subdivision.?

?We had approached the central and the state governments several times in the past for funds but are yet to hear from them,? he added.

According to a survey conducted by the association in 2001, 34 traditional Lepcha houses in the subdivision are lying in a shambles.

Tamsang said that though some of the houses had been renovated with money collected by the association members, at least 25 houses needed immediate repair.

Underlining the problem, the general secretary said the main problem of the houses was the thatched roofs were made out of grass.

?The roofs have to be changed every three years, failing which they develop holes and water starts seeping in during the rainy season. We have replaced some of them with tin,? he added.

Though it is true that the houses lose out on their charm when the tin sheets replace the thatched roofs, the repair is cost-effective as the latter ones come for Rs 15,000.

Besides, nowadays, there is also a shortage of grass.

Pointing out a unique feature of a traditional Lepcha house, Tamsang said: ?These houses have been specially designed to withstand tremors since our ancestors knew that this was an earthquake-prone region.?