Failed Project

During early 2011, the coffee project was initiated with a dream of producing organic coffee in Chitwan hills and improving the lives of local people. In less than 3 years, we see our dream falling apart as young coffee plants that we planted, die one after other in the climate that, we thought, should be suitable for coffee plantation. It is indeed disappointing to share our unsuccessful stories, but this also provides an opportunity to find the way for the future initiatives by assessing our failed efforts.

Jungle Guide Meet Fatal Incident

Death is inevitable. However, it is painful to face the reality when a life is lost prematurely. Bharat Pandey, 42, an assistant guide, lost his life in a rhino attack, in Chitwan National Park while he was guiding six foreign visitors along with his fellow guides, Sukram Mahato (guide) and Prem Kumal (assistant guide). The fatal incident took place on September 13 near the Bhalu Khola on their way towards Crocodile Breeding Center, located at Kasara, the park's headquarters. Two rhinos (female rhino with her adult baby) emerged from bush and attacked the team, but Bharat happened to receive the blow and got knocked down.

Cute Cutia

Cutia, Cutia nipalensis, a beautiful bird, that inhabits the broadleaved forest in the mid-hills of Nepal Himalaya is scarce and local resident. This stunning species is only one of its kind in Nepal, that its gracious presence makes the place special for bird lovers.

 

Among those few places where Cutia sighted regularly is Upardang Gadi which is already renowned for presence of Spiny Babbler, the only endemic bird of Nepal. Phulchoki in the Kathmandu Valley is other hotspot for Cutia and Spiny Babbler.

Asar 15

Today is 15^th day of Asar (June-July), the third Nepali month, the special day that signifies the busiest day of the year for farmers who actively involve in planting rice.

Rice plantation begins from first week of Asar, or even earlier, depending upon the weather condition in various parts of the country. Eastern part sees the monsoon early so their begins the plantation earlier than the west. Asar 15 is generally regarded as the peak day and celebrated as a special occasion.

Old Glory

Some three decades ago Tandi, my hometown, was a small settlement with rows of houses and shops along either side of dirt-road that still runs as east-west highway. The settlement gradually turned into a common market place for the people of surrounding villages. Fringed by meadows, fruit groves and forests, the town had flourished at the bank of stream, Budikhola, much wider then, where we used to swim and fish. Not very far from the town in the west is the Barandhabar Forest, a wildlife corridor that stretches up to mid hills in the north and the Rapti River in the south; and across the river is huge tropical swathe of Chitwan National Park. Being surrounded by dense meadows and forests, people often witnessed the wild beasts in the town in the past. One fine morning I saw people succumbed with panic as the mammoth rhino appeared at their doorstep. Traffic was halted for some two hours creating havoc for people and bewilderment for the animal. Rhino found the way north-west of the highway to escape towards Barandabhar forest.

Dance In Trance

Ghatu Nach, a typical Gurung dance, is popular in the remote Gurung communities of Nepal. It is performed not only for fun and entertainment, but also for the charm and mysticism that is associated with this unique cultural show.The ghatusari’, the dancers, bodily gesture is predominant in the dance. The dancers move their body and hands gracefully in complete trance for a whole day with their eyes closed following the songs sung by guruaama, the lady teacher.

 

Ghatu is organized every year on Chandi Purnima, the full moon day which falls on the last week of May, in many parts of Chitwan district where Gurung community is predominant. Among them, Chandibhanjyang, some 5 hours uphill walk from the Prithvi Highway (either from Kalikhola or Jalbire), is a typical Gurung village where Ghatu is organized in full swing that attracts numerous spectators from nearby villages.

Damaha House

Kathmandu was known as city of temples. It is said that there used to be more temples than houses. But story is different now: modern houses have outnumbered and dwarfed not only proverbial temples but also traditional houses. However, splendor of medieval art and architecture is still sparkling in every corner.

Temple is to install the gods and goddesses but it is also built for different religious purposes. Dyochhe (a Newari term) looks like normal house with a pinnacle and a toran, where all the things necessary for festivals and jatra (religious and cultural procession), like chariot and rope are kept and priests also live there. Soldiers used to keep their weapons in certain temple with belief that weapons would acquire the divine power.