William Semple, MRD Vol 25 No 1, pp 15–19.

I was very much interested and fascinated by William Semple's article on “Traditional Architecture in Tibet” (MRD Vol 25 No 1). My appreciation was enhanced by a working stint in Bhutan and Northern Nepal, but not Tibet unfortunately. I applaud the policy Semple is trying to have applied in Qomolangma of specifying that restoration must use local, traditional materials and local building methods and builders—the best way to get true “authenticity” in restoration if World Heritage status is hoped for. I wonder if we should not be busy establishing “historic forests” which will serve to supply the needed authentic wood material for restoration efforts, similar in function to the temple forests which have been protected as sources of repair material, or occasionally for financial support for “sacred structures?”

But, I was disappointed to see Semple repeating the old claim, discredited by many articles in this Journal, that “Heavy rainfall in the region combined with deforestation was seen as one of the major reasons for the devastating flooding on the Yangtse and other rivers during the summer of 1998.” (Surely Drs Jack Ives and Bruno Messerli are disappointed that the message in The Himalayan Dilemma has not gotten through to Author Semple). The logging ban enacted—as was also the case in Thailand's logging ban in 1988—is missing the target, and placing strain on the forests elsewhere, while contributing little to flood reduction.

Semple's recommendations for sustainable ecotourism and maintenance of traditional architecture are excellent, in my opinion.