HE spent weeks in the Himalayan caves, sought peace in a “nomadic” life for a decade and then turned to philanthropy in Kullu and Lahaul. But now, Eris is on an assignment that marries his qualification as an architect and his calling. The Italian, settled in this hill town for decades, now plans to build earthquake proof houses with natural material and use them for what he calls charity tourism.

This, he says, is the link to join development and ecological conservation. Eris has been motivating local residents to construct houses using stones, bricks and waste wood, all locked together with kaath-kundi (spider joints). The process does not involve cutting of trees and the wood used is drawn from old and damaged traditional houses in the Valley.

“I have already constructed similar houses in Australia and a dozen at Manali and Kullu. Japanese researchers have declared these houses to be one of the strongest structures made of any natural material which can withstand earthquakes,” says Eris. A cluster of such houses, he adds, may be used to promote eco-friendly tourism and the money earned spent on philanthropic activities in the state. “Many multinationals have been attempting to cash in on the idea but I do not want it to become a pure commercial venture. The ecology is to be preserved.”

The experience, he says, is hard-earned. “About 30 years ago, Himachal showed me the way to peaceful living. I had a long journey before reaching Manali. After leaving Italy when I was 16, I reached Iraq where I worked as a house builder. A year later, I moved to France and worked there as an agricultural expert.”

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