Theki: To Make Food Tasty

Local people in villages still store yoghurt, milk and ghee in theki, the traditional wooden vessel, locally made from daar tree (Boehmeria rugulosa). Other similar vessel with wide opening is called faam which is especially designed to keep milk while milking.

Size of the these vessels is varied. Smaller one which store up to 1 pathi (4.57 liters) of liquid is called theki while bigger one which store up to 4 pathi is called theka. These vessels are made by local technicians in the locally designed water mill. The downward flow of water rotates the turbine blades which then rotate the shaft connected to it. The theki is attached to other end of the shaft. It takes some 3 hours to make a theki.

Makawanpur Gadi: Last Resort Of Sen Dynasty

Archaeological sites proclaim the past history of the nation. There are many forts built at the strategic locations of the country by many rulers in various era to defend itself from the enemies.

Makawanpur Fort (alt. 1035 m.), which is about 15 km east from Hetauda, was built by Tula Sen during 17 century.

Chisapani Tar: Bird Hotspot

Hill forests have been rapidly deteriorating due to human settlements and agricultural activities. Slash-and-burn, the common practice of cultivation in hill areas, has not only the deleterious effect on the biodiversity but it also results soil erosion and landslide.

There are few forest patches in the remote hill areas of Chitwan which are still intact. Dense forest around the Chisapani Tar (1695 m.) that stretches from Upardang Gadi (1275 m.) to Siraichuli (1973 m.), the pristine habitat, is especially known for its rich bird diversity.

Gaur Attacked Guide

Homnath Lamichhane, 35, a nature guide, was attacked by Gaur (Bos gaurus) in Chitwan National Park on February 8, 2010. He was attacked by a male Gaur at the grassland of Marchauli area when he was returning from whole day jungle walk from tented camp area following the fireland.

Eyes On Ibisbill

Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) has been observed at the bank of the Rapti River in Hetauda during the Ibisbill Tour jointly organized by the Bird Education Society and Nature Guide Association, Sauraha, Chitwan on February 7, 2010.

(Ibisbill)

Some 5 Ibisbills were recorded near the confluence of the Rapti River and Samari River about 200 m. west from the Samari bridge. These birds were feeding along the stony and sandy river beds with a Little Egret.

Greater Flamingo Sighted In Chitwan

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) has been recorded in Chitwan for the first time. This unusual bird was seen in the Rapti River near Jayamangala in the Chitwan National Park that is about 1 km south-east from Sauraha (park entry point).

 

(Greater Flamingo) 

Greater Flamingo, whose status in Nepal is vagrant, was first seen by Bishnu Bahadur Lama, the senior wildlife technician from National Trust of Nature Conservation on February 3, 2010 but he first thought the bird was Lesser Flamingo. Next day, members of the Bird Education Society and nature guides went to the spot, observed and confirmed this bird as Greater Flamingo.

Meghauli Mahotsab To Promote Village Tourism

Thousands of spectators poured at the Meghauli Tourism Mahotsab - 2066 that has been jointly organized by Meghauli Tourism Development Committee and Meghauli Village Development Committee from January 29 to February 4, 2010 to promote village tourism in Meghauli.

The fourth edition of Mahotsab, organized at the southern corner of the airfield, accommodated many business stalls, restaurants, children park, mini zoo, and grand stage where cultural and entertainment programs were organized daily inviting local and national artists.

Encounter With Tiger

Tiger possesses enigmatic charm that attracts thousands of visitors every year in Chitwan National Park for the rare glimpse of this elusive creature. Although, Chitwan National Park (932 sq. km) holds the viable population of tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), some 91 individuals (DNPWC-2008/09), seeing the tiger in its prime habitat is extremely difficult.

Barma Jit Mahato, a nature guide, said, "We used to see tiger every year till 2000 A.D., but now any chances to see tiger is rare". During his 23 years of experience as nature guide, he has seen tigers for some 15 times.