Trail Bridge Building in the Himalayas: Enhanced Access, Improved Livelihoods (Experiences and Learning in International Cooperation Series)

For over 40 years, Swiss development agencies Helvetas and SDC have supported work in rural infrastructure development in Bhutan and Nepal where 4000 trail bridges have been provided to enhance permanent safe pedestrian access for millions of people. The knowledge gained from this program is now being successfully replicated in other parts of Asia and Africa.

This publication details aspects of the project planning and implementation process and seeks to evaluate the success of the work in the two countries considered. Final sections look at the challenges of the future for this area of development work in the region.