After centuries of absolute monarchy followed by decades of chaos, Nepal is taking to democracy in a big way. Since May its people have voted into office 753 newly created local councils, seven new provincial assemblies and a 275-member national parliament. To read this Economist article, please click on the
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Climate Change Threatens ‘Himalayan Viagra’ Fungus and a Way of Life
A valuable fungus, prized as a reputed aphrodisiac, is disappearing due to warming temperatures, reports Climate Home. Valuable fungus, prized as a reputed aphrodisiac, is disappearing due to warming temperatures. Harvesting the Cordyceps sinensis fungus, called ‘yarsha gumba’ in Nepal, provides a livilihood for Himalayan dwellers. To read further, please follow the following
Nepal’s Musicians Re-tune to Tradition
Nepal’s musical heritage is enjoying a revival as young musicians fuse the sounds of traditional instruments once at risk of disappearing, with lyrics that examine the modern challenges facing the country. The Himalayan country has a rich folk tradition, but its unusual traditional instruments — which include a leaf from
‘Good quality’ Nepali Tea Spoils Darjeeling’s Party
Grown on similar Himalayan terrain and climate across the border in Nepal, the tea made its way into Bengal’s cuppa during the 104-day strike Gorkhaland strike that hit production in Darjeeling. To read further, please click on the link below: http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/good-quality-nepal-tea-spoils-darjeeling-s-party/story-rfs4sJsPVy9NMzrfCKSAMK.html
Nepal Invests in New Irrigation Technologies
Water sources are drying up in parts of the Himalayas and people are forced to look elsewhere for places to live and work. But new technology in irrigation might help people stay in their homes. To read further, please click on the link below: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/nepal-invests-irrigation-technologies-171117113156245.html
How Some Glue and a Rusty Bike Helped a Nepalese Girl Escape Child Marriage
“We’ve never had this many female pupils before,” says principal Lal Chandra Pandey as the class opens their textbooks. “I’d say we were used to 90% of the girls in the region coming to school for a few years, and then typically having to leave at around 14 or 15
‘My dream is coming true’: the Nepalese woman who rose from slavery to politics.
Sita Chhaudry was sold as a slave at 10 years old. Starved, beaten and denied an education, she has since been elected to local government – and is determined to fight poverty and human rights abuses. To read further, please click on the link below: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/oct/18/i-lived-in-fear-nepalese-official-sold-as-a-slave-at-10-years-old-domestic-worker
Nepal-Tibet Border Reopens to Tourists after 2015 Earthquake
The famous Himalayan road from Lhasa to Kathmandu, partly destroyed by the earthquake, is back on the travel wishlist as the Kerung-Rasuwa border crossing reopens to international visitors. To read further, please click on the link below: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/sep/16/tibet-nepal-border-road-reopens-after-earthquake-kathmandu-lhasa
‘The Car Horn is Uncivilised’: How Kathmandu’s Streets Went Quiet
When the authorities in Kathmandu outlawed the use of vehicle horns in April, the start of the Nepali year, many expected the ban would go the way of most new year’s resolutions and be quickly forgotten. But six months later, the streets of the capital remain remarkably quiet. In a