https://nepalayaproductions.com/ 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/about 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/client 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/contact 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/faq 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/gallery 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/permit 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/post 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/production 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/service 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/team 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/work 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/alwaleed-philanthropies 2026-02-17T06:08:45Z undefined Alwaleed Philanthropies It is a Saudi royal family-oriented welfare organization. https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/aveda 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined Aveda Aveda is a cosmetic company in the United States. https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/bnn-vara 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined BNN Vara BNN VARA Holland- “Op Reis”- Dutch travel series (2018) BNN Vara is a broadcasting association and network.Country: NetherlandsWebsite: <a href="http://bnnvara.nl/">bnnvara.nl</a> https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/e-africa 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined E africa e.tv added the e Africa channel on Channel 144 to build the Pan-African version. Industry: TV ChannelCountry: African Continent (origin: South Africa)Website: etv.co.za https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/hgtv 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined HGTV Home and Garden Television is a channel owned by Warner Bros. Discover. Industry: TelevisionCountry: United StatesWebsite: <a href="http://www.hgtv.com">www.hgtv.com</a>  HGTV - International House Hunters (2013)HGTV - International House Hunters (2013)HGTV - International House Hunters (2012) https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/investigation-discovery 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined Investigation Discovery Country: Maryland, USWebsite: https://www.investigationdiscovery.com Investigation Discovery (ID) is a pay television network that produces documentaries about real crime incidents. https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/kathmandu 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined Kathmandu Kathmandu is a clothing brand in New Zealand. https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/kindling-group 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined Kindling Group A documentary-producing company that focuses on social issues and innovative impact campaigns.Industry: Documentary ProductionCountry: United StatesWebsite: kindlinggroup.org  https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/mediacorp-pte 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined Mediacorp Pte. A State-owned media conglomerate in Singapore owned by Temasek Holdings- the holding company of the Government of Singapore. Industry: Media ConglomerateCountry: SingaporeWebsite: mediacorp.sg  https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/mtv 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined MTV Industry: TelevisionCountry: United StatesWebsite: <a href="http://www.mtv.com">www.mtv.com</a>  https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/national-geographic-channel 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined National Geographic Channel National Geographic- “Own The Room” ( 2019) The channel is owned by the National Geographic Global Networks unit of Disney General Entertainment Content and National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and National Geographic Society. Industry: TelevisionCountry: Worldwide, HQ: New York, USWebsite: nationalgeographic.com https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/riksgalden 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined Riksgalden Swedish advertisement for the Swedish National Debt Office was filmed in Nepal. Nepalaya Productions was responsible for all aspects of production for the large Stockholm-based crew.  Nepalaya Productions handled research, talent booking, securing locations, accommodations, and all logistics.  Industry: National Debt OfficeCountry: SwedenWebsite: <a href="https://www.riksgalden.se/en/">https://www.riksgalden.se/en/</a>  https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/sas 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined SAS SAS is an AI and analytics company that works on breaking barriers, enhancing ambition, and achieving results. https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/save-the-children 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined Save the Children Improve the lives of children through better education, healthcare, and economic opportunities as well as provide emergency aid in natural disasters, wars, and other conflicts.  Industry: International NGOCountry: Worldwide, HQ UKWebsite: savethechildren.net https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/the-history-channel 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined The History Channel A joint venture between Hearst Communications and the Disney General Entertainment Content division of the Walt Disney Company is well known for its history-based documentaries. Industry: TelevisionCountry: United StatesWebsite: <a href="http://www.history.com">www.history.com</a>  https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/tv-globo 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined TV Globo In 2015 we collaborated with TV Globo to create a documentary project on Honey Hunters, but our endeavor took a turn towards an unexpected adventure due to the 2015 earthquake.Honey hunting is an age-old tradition conducted by skilled individuals who climb steep cliffs to harvest honey from wild beehives, and it offers a thrilling experience with hallucinogenic properties. Our initial plan was to cover the stories of these fearless honey hunters, understand their lives, and understand the unique techniques they utilize to harvest honey.However, fate had other plans for us. Before we could even reach our destination for the shoot, the ground beneath us shook violently. It wasn't until later that we realized we had witnessed a historic earthquake in Nepal that attracted international attention. As a result, our priorities shifted from documenting the honey hunters to producing news for TV Globo.Despite the unexpected turn of events, we managed to capture some footage of the earthquake and focus on building news which is a story for another day.After completing our coverage of the earthquake story, we returned to our original mission – to tell the story of the honey hunters who risk their lives to obtain unique Himalayan honey. Our timely actions resulted in not just one, but two remarkable pieces of work that left a lasting impact on our crew and our clients who thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with us. TV Globo Brazil- Live news coverage from Nepal Earthquake (2015)TV Globo Brazil- Planeta Extremo - “Honey Hunters of Nepal” (2015) https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/un-development-programme 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined U.N. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Industry: UN Agency (IGO)Country: Worldwide/ HQ: NewyorkWebsite: UNDO.org United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a UN agency dedicated to eliminating poverty and achieving sustainable economic progress through the improvement of local capacity building, long-term self-sufficiency, and prosperity. https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/university-of-edinburgh 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh- CPSP- “Her name was Sita” (2023) The Center for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) is a research institution based in the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. The university, established by Royal Charter, is a renowned public research university.CPSP was founded in 2017, thanks to an Incubator Grant from the Open Philanthropy Project Fund. Its primary focus is on raising awareness about the fact that individuals do not necessarily need to be psychologically ill to contemplate suicide. The center believes that impulsive decisions can also lead to suicide, and one effective approach to reducing suicide rates is by banning certain lethal pesticides. https://nepalayaproductions.com/client/wildlife-conservation-society 2024-05-02T11:16:27Z undefined Wildlife Conservation Society A non-governmental science-based conservation organization in over 50 countries intends to conserve wildlife and ecosystems by using innovative scientific and field-based solutions to critical problems. Industry: Non-profit wildlife conservationCountry: Worldwide (Headquarter: New York, US)Website: <a href="http://www.wcs.org">www.wcs.org</a>  https://nepalayaproductions.com/permit/application 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/permit/authorization-letter 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/permit/authorization-letter-local 2026-02-17T11:15:26Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/a-cup-of-nepali-coffee 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/5de8b222-d29f-4e87-9e7f-b8d7f8714732.jpeg A Cup of Nepali Coffee Coffee was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://farsightnepal.com/news/90">discovered</a> by a goat herder in Kaffa, Ethiopia, a mountainous region similar to that found in Nepal.  In 1938 AD a hermit Hira Giri brought seeds of Coffee from the Sindhu Province of Myanmar and planted them in the Aapchaur of Gulmi District for the first time in Nepal.  The crop remained unnoticed till the 1970s. In mid-1983/84, Nepal Coffee Company (NeCCo) in Manigram, Rupandehi district allowed coffee producers to sell coffee, a short and simple history of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.teacoffee.gov.np/coffeeinfo/coffeehistory">coffee plantations</a> in Nepal. The creation of Himalayan Java Coffee started in 1999/2000 and grew Nepal’s coffee culture into a premium market. Nepal started its Coffee policy in 2004 and organic certification with the Nepal Coffee logo was started by the Department of Industry in 2010.  In 2014, the Coffee Research Center was established in Baletaksar, Gulmi. The story started with Gulmi and spread all over Nepal and coffee culture continued to boom in Nepal.  Gulmi <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/coffee-production-below-par-despite-high-market-potential/">exported one-ton coffee to Korea</a> through the Coffee Producers’ Cooperative of Gulmi. Himalayan Organic Coffee is sold in Australia and Coffee of Nepal in Japan is produced in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2020/12/23/sindhupalchok-s-coffee-exports-keep-up-despite-pandemic">Sindhupalchowk</a> which is a rural mountainous district.  In Nepal, 80% of coffee produced can be categorized as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://perfectdailygrind.com/2023/03/will-nepal-produce-more-specialty-coffee/#:~:text=The%20NTCDB%20reports%20that%20in,been%20increasing%20in%20recent%20years.">specialty-grade coffee</a>.  Coffee has been helping create jobs and improve foreign reserves as a large portion of coffee produced in Nepal gets exported.  In Chaturmaidanda, Nalang Siddhalek Rural Municipality was uninhabited and destroyed as it lacked water for irrigation. At an investment of Rs. 80 million, the place has been transformed into a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/man-arrested-with-gun-explosives-in-taplejung">coffee farm</a> and resort by Dinanath Regmi, Himalayan Ontop Organic Coffee Estate Private Limited, Chaturmaidanda with 52,000 coffee saplings- he has earned an income of 18,000.   Many domestic and foreign tourists come and stay at night and take a tour around the farm. There are 17 residential employees and workers at the farm and resort.  In Nepal, there are 6,346 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/kavre-lalitpur-and-syangja-lead-in-commercial-coffee-farming">coffee farms</a>, in which 1.2 million hectares of land- 820,364 hectares moderately suitable, 402,646 hectares suitable, and 61,228 hectares highly suitable for coffee cultivation in Nepal.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.recordnepal.com/taking-a-look-at-kathmandus-growing-coffee-culture">Himalayan Java</a> opened its outlet in the US in 2016, then another outlet in Omaha, Toronto making it an international brand of Nepal.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/is-coffee-good-or-bad-for-your-health/">Coffee can</a> lower the chance of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. It is also argued that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.buzzrx.com/blog/benefits-of-quitting-caffeine">quitting caffeine</a> can improve sleep, lower blood pressure, less anxiety, relieve headaches, improve nutrition, weight loss, improve hormone balance, healthier teeth, and improve digestion.  Nepal has long been seen as a tea-drinking country but it is slowly transforming itself into a Western, it feels that coffee is trendy and gives a caffeine boost to get some work done. While there aren’t a lot of places suitable for tea cultivation coffee is becoming a growing area for Nepali farmers and is contributing to making Nepal prosperous by exporting coffee.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/a-historical-journey-of-everest 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/f6af09ce-1568-4985-a32a-c69145270027.png A Historical Journey of Everest Mount Everest, known as the National Emblem of Nepal, and the peak that adorns every banknote of the Nepali rupee. A symbol that also holds a profound political significance for the people of this Himalayan country. Nepal’s tourism-reliant economy, significantly relies on Mt. Everest- an emblem of adventure and a mountainous lifestyle inherently surrounded by challenges.  While the peak consistently makes headlines due to daring feats, little gets discussed about the natural creation process of the structure, the origin of its name, and the political dynamics of the geological formation. Therefore, several questions arise- How did such peaks come into existence? What is the religious significance of this peak? How did experts calculate the height of Mt. Everest and conclude it to be the highest peak, or is it indeed the highest peak on Earth?   Mt. Everest is not the tallest peak while being measured from the Earth’s core. This distinction uniquely belongs to Chimborazo, a mountain located in Ecuador. The rationale behind this distinction is grounded in the Earth’s bulge at the equator- a phenomenon that elevates sea levels along this imaginary line. Consequently, when we calculate the mountain’s height relative to sea level, Mt. Everest indisputably emerges as the supreme pinnacle. The Himalayas consist of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The enormous pressure within the ocean creates such types of rock. Emerging a question- How did the geological structures ascend to form the highest peaks on the earth above sea level?  The awe-inspiring answer lies in the distant past. Approximately 40 to 50 million years ago, the Indian landmass collided with the Eurasian plate. This titanic event catalyzed the formation of the Himalayan mountain range, a spectacle of magnificent grandeur that undoubtedly contributed to shaping its religious significance.  Tibetans and indigenous Nepali communities call the majestic peak ‘Chomolungma,’  a name signifying the Mother Goddess of the Earth. Locals believe that the top of the peak is the abode of Miyolangsangma, a Buddhist goddess embodying the concept of ‘Inexhaustible Giving.’ Therefore, climbers who venture to summit the magnificent peak must perform sacred rituals and make offerings at a lhap-so, a shrine constructed near the Everest Base Camp.  The legend of the Tibetan guru Milrepa, the goddess Miyo Losangma, and her four sisters traces its roots back to the 11th century. Nevertheless, the quest for more precise historical dates remains essential to foster a concrete understanding of the historical journey that has shaped Nepal’s national identity and played a pivotal role in diplomatic ties between Nepal and China.  Between 1715 and 1717, Chinese surveyors Shengzhu, Churbizanbo, and Lanbenchanba conducted the monumental task of surveying the vast Tibetan plateau. This significant undertaking would later serve as the basis for China’s future claims over the peak and provide data for future cartographic endeavors aimed at comprehending the region.  The works of the surveyors found their way into Kangxi Atlas in 1721, marking the moment when the name "Qomolangma" would be heard by the public as they learned about the Himalayas.  In 1733, the map was enhanced by Jean-Baptiste Regis, a French missionary, and the refinement process continued with the contributions of Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville, who based their work on the Kangxi Atlas, and they called the peak- M. Tchoumour Lancma.  Fast forward to 1836, the German geographer Juliys Klaprotto published his map of Central Asia, marking the peak as Disomo Langma, adding another name to the mountain's ever-expanding list of nomenclature. The British Surveyor of India embarked on a quest to identify the tallest peak in the world, studying various peaks in the subcontinent. During their investigation, they realized an unknown peak that held the potential to be the world’s tallest peak, and they provisionally called it "Peak XV.” In 1847, British Surveyors in India took a bold step by declaring the height of Peak XV to be 8,778 meters, marking a significant milestone in their exploratory journey.  However, in 1856, the meticulous efforts of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India led to a more refined estimate. Astonishingly close to the mountain’s true height, they calculated “Peak XV” to be a staggering 29,002 feet above sea level. As the true stature of the mountain became increasingly evident, the significance of the name grew greater. The peak no longer remained a geographic endeavor but became important for political dimensions.  On May 11, 1857, the “Peak XV” whose real name remained a mystery to surveyors, themselves would give the peak their name. Andrew Waugh with his effort to acknowledge the contribution of his predecessor, the British Surveyor General of India, Sir George Everest. Andrew Waugh became the person to name the highest peak Mount Everest honoring Sir George Everest.   In 1921, George Mallory led a pioneering expedition, marking the first expedition to conquer Mt. Everest from the Chinese side. In 1924, ‘The Epic of Everest’ was produced by George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, it is one of the earliest documentaries on the heroic expedition that also showcases local life on the Tibetan side of the peak.   Nepal’s closed-door policy prohibited mountaineers from entering Nepal, so mountainers conducted their expeditions from a rougher terrain via the northern side of Mt. Everest. This circumstance made Everest a formidable challenge for several decades until Nepal eventually opened its borders to mountaineers.  The mountain universally famed as Mt. Everest, has more names as national actors give new names to create a national bond with the peak. In 1939, Baburam Acharya published his book “Sagarmatha or Jhyamolongma.” At that time, the Ranas, the ruling oligarchs of Nepal had a sweet relationship with the British and did not endorse a local name. However, Baburam Acharya's work paid off, and gets credit for coining the name “Sagarmatha,” a term that gained widespread popularity in Nepal that reflects Nepal’s national identity.  Some Nepalese perceive “Everest” as a later colonial imposition, and “Sagarmatha” represents the authentic, indigenous name. However, it’s crucial to recognize that “Everest” and other names over the peak had political motivations, connected directly with its global popularity.  The historic ascent of Mt. Everest in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay garnered international attention and played a pivotal role in solidifying Nepal’s claim and ownership over the highly celebrated structure. A documentary was produced even discussing the British coronation that added value to the ascension of the peak. At the same time, the Chinese Communist Party was facing its struggles for formal recognition as a state and faced challenges to display ownership over a celebrated structure.  In 1959, Chairman Mao Zedong had a conversation with the Prime Minister of Nepal, BP Koirala, where the Chairman questioned the Prime Minister: ”Why does Nepal not even have a name for the peak in your language?”  BP had recalled, at that moment or with someone’s reminder, that it was known as ‘Sagarmatha.’ Unfortunately, he was new to this term and responded, “You do not have a name for the peak either. ‘Chomolongma’ is a is a Tibetan name.” Mao countered by asserting that Tibet is China.  Finally, a pivotal juncture occurred during the singing of the Sino-Nepalese Border Treaty on October 5, 1961. Within this Boundary Treaty, Article I, Clause 11, officially designated the peak as “Mount Jolmo Lungma (Sagar Matha),” thus sealing the legal name as “Jolmo Lungma” alongside “Sagar Matha”. This agreement formalized the dual name and established the peak as an international boundary marker.  The journey of the peak, from its natural formation to its socio-religious significance, its mathematical measurements, and finally to political evolution, make it an incredible story. Climbing the peak has been a trophy sought by numerous adventurers, and it has maintained its relevance due to the periodic introduction of adventure sports in the vicinity of the world’s highest peak above sea level.   Stay updated by following us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nepalaya_productions/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nepalayaproductions">Facebook</a>.    https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/aerial-adventure-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/41f072a2-ed34-4009-a983-23ab5d8e3cbc.jpeg Aerial Adventure in Nepal Nepal, a landlocked country renowned for adventure, has splendid views hidden by rigid terrain. Fortunately, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/flying-above-the-himalayas">since 1950</a>, tourists have been let into Nepal, and even before they land in Nepal, the splendor of the Himalayan range can be seen from the window of an airplane.  Lukla is considered ‘<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2019/07/20/lukla-the-worlds-most-dangerous-airport/">The World’s Most Dangerous Airport</a>’; traveling by air to remote destinations is both a risky and thrilling experience. These components can help filmmakers plan thrilling documentaries.  As early as 1933, Everest peak, a destination for many mountain climbers was the location of a plane landing. There is even footage of the plane as it was such a big event. Much later, in 1991 two foreigners Chris Dewhirst and his team conducted an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.landnepal.com/details/1558.html/">expedition </a>to fly over Mount Everest- the first and only hot air balloonist to make the arduous journey. Hot air balloon tours started in November of 2018, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2018/11/17/balloon-nepal-to-start-commercial-flights">in Pokhara</a>, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/pokhara-declared-as-tourism-capital-of-nepal">tourism capital of Nepal</a>. The hot air balloon is permitted to fly 5 times a day at a height of 500m above Pokhara city. The balloon gives a spectacular view of the Annapurna range, Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchulu, Lamjung Himal, etc. The flight starts in Dhanus or Lauruk and finishes on the banks of the Mardi River. The balloons can be shared or even privately rented which can help them be used for shooting at an affordable rate. In addition, other flying techniques can be enjoyed in Pokhara.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.altitudehimalaya.com/blog/ultralight-flight-in-pokhara-nepal">Ultralight flight</a> uses power gliders and has been used for sightseeing in Pokhara since 1996 and was the first in South Asia. Its advantage is it can fly near mountains and scenic lakes, and therefore a major tourist attraction. Ultralights can take off and land on dirt roads and can accommodate only two passengerIt operates between September to June and flights take place from sunrise to 11 am. And from 3 p.m. until sunset.A 15-minute flight is used to have an experience of Phewa Lake, Sarangkot Hill, and travel a maximum height of 5,000 m. A 30-minute flight travels at 90 km/hr flies close to Fish Tail Mountain and attains a height of up to 12,000 ft. A 1 hr. flight covers the Annapurna range from 90km/hr to 130 km/hr. As getting a drone permit in Nepal can be tedious, ultralight flights can be used to improve footage for documentaries. Similarly, In 2016, Paratrike (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://aeronomadas.com/en/tandem-flights">Paramotor</a>) Tandem Flying Club designed an extreme adventure on air that combined the flying feature of Ultra-light flying and Paragliding- commercially for the first time in Nepal. It is licensed to fly in Pokhara and Sauraha. It flies at 50 mph and achieves an altitude of 5000-7000 feet providing a view of the entire mountain range as well as mesmerizing views of Pokhara Valley. The aircraft can safely land even if the engine fails There is portable oxygen, and a two-way radio set in each aircraft to communicate between pilot and passenger.The passenger sits in front unlike the ultra-light- there is only one seat- it is yet another thrilling experience to catch the majestic natural beauty of Nepal.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/an-outline-of-nepalese-shaivism 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/cf4f9625-b49b-4fa4-b587-6cb5b459eaa8.jpg An Outline of Nepalese Shaivism Background of Shaivism In Archeological Excavation from 1922 to 1927, <a href="https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.722/page/n6/mode/1up">Sir John Marshal</a>’s investigation laid the foundation of the claim that seals of the <a href="https://www.questjournals.org/jrhss/papers/vol9-issue5/Ser-5/I09054348.pdf">Indus Valley Civilization</a> were associated with Lord Shiva in Yoga posture, and the picture hinted at phallic (linga) worship.   In Rig Veda verses are attributed to Rudra, a wrathful god, which is considered a form of Shiva. It seems Shiva was worshipped <a href="https://www.hinduwebsite.com/siva/vedicconnection.asp">outside Vedic society</a>, specifically seen in Bhagavata Purana where Daksha, the father-in-law of Shiva, <a href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/tevaram-religion-and-philosophy/d/doc421143.html">insulted Shiva</a>, which led to a conflict between supporters of Vishnu and Shiva.  There are claims that Shivalinga was <a href="https://factly.in/an-unrelated-image-is-falsely-shared-as-shivalinga-engraved-on-the-oldest-arabian-mosque/">worshipped even in ancient Arabia</a> but such claims lack any ground. Similarly, there are also claims that <a href="https://www.opindia.com/2020/03/4000-year-old-shivling-found-in-excavations-at-bhabhaniyav-village-near-varanasi-by-bhus-ancient-history-department/">4,000-year-old Shiva Linga</a> was worshipped in nearby Varanasi but such ideas seem to be more determined by religious fervor than an independent archeological survey.  The Gudimallam stone lingam dated between the 3rd cen. BCE- 1st cen. BCE is widely accepted <a href="https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/how-old-is-the-gudilmallam-stone-lingam-historians-debate-age-of-ancient-shiva-linga/1506602/">as one of the oldest phallus deity sculptures</a> used for worship. Shiva was originally worshipped with nature and natural disasters, the god’s role expanded to the functions of creation, preservation, and destruction.  The Gupta Empire (320-550 CE), was Vishnav (those who worship Vishnu), however, it <a href="https://study.com/academy/lesson/shaivism-overview-origin-beliefs.html">continued to grow</a> and hold a major spot in the post-Gupta period in India. In 6th and 9th cen. CE major Shaivite sects grew one of the prominent sects is known as Pashupata.  Shaivism has grown in both Vedic-Puranic Shavism and Non-Puranic (Esoteric) Shaivism.  Shavism in Nepal The earliest dated <a href="https://brill.com/view/journals/iij/59/4/article-p309_1.xml?language=en">inscription</a> in the Pashupati area is of Mandev, a renowned Vaishnav, from 459 CE while the region has been referred to as the Pasupatiksetra in a linga pedestal dated 533 CE. The Pasupati sect grew during the rule of Amsuvarman (ca. 605-621 CE) who stylized himself as “blessed by the venerable Lord Pasupati).  The oldest Linga worshipping in Kathmandu is found to be dated 466 CE in Lazimpat. The evidence reveals Shaivism grew in Nepal when it was flourishing in India. In the indigenous Kirati tradition of Nepal, Shiva is also <a href="https://www.archaicnepal.com/blog/how-did-a-pothead-shiva-come-to-be-a-hindu-god/">associated</a> with <a href="https://nepaltraveller.com/sidetrack/udhauli-parva-gratitude-to-nature">Paruhang</a>, the sun god, who fell in love with the earth goddess, also connected with Parvati, Sumnima. The connection of Shiva with Shamanism is very old.  Abode of Shiva Many pieces of literature indicate Rudra to be associated with <a href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/rig-veda-english-translation/d/doc833225.html">mountains</a>, specifically the peak of <a href="https://namahshivaya.net/where-does-shiva-reside-does-he-live-on-kailash/">Kailash</a>, present-day, Tibet, China is considered as the abode of Shiva.  Kailash is an <a href="https://www.namastesindhupalchowk.com/blog/mysteries-of-mount-kailash">important religious shrine</a> for Hinduism, Bon, Buddhism, and Jainism and is considered as Axis Mundi via the navel of the earth. The region has many significant landmarks such as <a href="https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/om-parvat">Om Parvat</a>, on the disputed Nepal-India border, which resembles the holy Om shape popular in Hinduism. The significance of Kailash may have been as being the origin point of four major rivers namely- Satlag River in the west, Sindhus River in the North, Brahmaputra River in the East, and Karnali River in the South.  The Southward river Karnali gets to Humla, Nepal and since 1993, travelers have been allowed to make <a href="https://www.himalayanglacier.com/10-facts-about-mt-kailash-trek-via-simikot/#:~:text=Mt%20Kailash%20Trek%20via%20Simikot%20is%20a%20popular%20journey%20into,regarded%20as%20a%20pilgrimage%20trek.">tours</a> from Mt. Kailash, an important tourist package for tour agencies using the Humla region of Nepal.  Major Shrines of ShivaMany Nepalese firmly believe that Pashupati is the center of Shavism, which seems to be driven more by nationalist fervor than religious belief.  There are <a href="https://www.holidify.com/pages/jyotirlingas-in-india-1628.html">12 jyotirlingas</a> all of which are in India. However, some rumors connected Pashupati with Kedarnath, one of the Jyotirlinga, based on Purans. In 2009, Jagat Guru Bheemashankarling Shivacharya, the head priest of Kedarnath, declared <a href="https://ntb.gov.np/plan-your-trip/trip-ideas/pilgrimage-to-doleshwar-mahadev-temple">Doleshwar Mahadev</a> in Bhaktapur as the head of Kedarnath. This temple is located 20km away from Kathmandu.  Therefore after completing Chardham (four shrines) in four corners of India, they come to Kathmandu Valley to pay a visit to the head of Lord Kedarnath at Doleshwar. In 2013 when a flood-damaged Kedarnath disrupted the tradition, the regular prayers were carried out in Doleshwor Temple. ConclusionShaivism is a dominant religion in Nepal which shouldn’t be limited to the concept of Hinduism (Vedic-Puranic Traditions) and can be connected with various indigenous traditions which was later Indo-Aryanized.  A critical analysis of Shaivism could be seen as blasphemous and can hurt popular sentiment. Shavism is associated with Nepali nationalism and plays a significance in Nepali tourism. As a result, a clear and balanced study is required to understand Nepalese Shaivism which could be an esoteric experience filled with surreal stories and multi-layered beliefs and explanations.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/beyond-the-binary 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/6e24fe27-3f35-4db6-b20e-1e06617599a8.jpeg Beyond the Binary Introduction Nepal is considered one of the most inclusive Asian countries for the LGBTIQA+ community as per the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.equaldex.com/equality-index">LGBT Equality Index</a> conducted by Equaldex. Nepal ranks 28 in the World Equality Index which is ahead of many prominent Western democracies. The key religions of Nepal are Hinduism, and Buddhism both are not perceived as homophobic. In fact the various gods and goddesses are associated with the LGBTIQA+ community. The oldest Indian religious text Vedas mentions gods such as Mitra and Varuna, who are perceived as a gay couple and described in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/satapatha-brahmana-sanskrit/d/doc1052178.html">Shathapatha Bhramin</a>. In Nepal, the Bungadyo (commonly known as Macchendranath) is considered both male and female, and all rituals from the birth of both <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/seto-machhindranath-snan-kathmandu.html">male and female</a> are performed for the god. However, as Nepal accepted Western standards, the country became close-minded and laws were implemented against the Community. In the 1960s Nepal introduced a clause forbidding unnatural sex which would mean the system legally opposed same-sex relationships.  Beginning of the Revolution <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2009/12/02/9369.sunil-pant-nepals-rainbow-revolutionary">Sunil Babu Pant</a> who received an international education, returned to Nepal in 1999.  Being gay and understanding the problem of the gay community he founded the Blue Diamond Society (BDS) in 2001. It started monitoring and reporting Human Rights abuses and instituted the human rights training program.  In 2004, a private lawyer filed a case to shut down BDS, which turned out to be a much harder task due to Nepali law. Then, in 2008, Sunil Babu Pant and BDS campaigned for the Communist Party of Nepal (United) and quickly became Asia’s first openly gay federal-level elected official.In 2005, BDS helped the case of a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalmonitor.org/reports/view/5041">lesbian couple</a>. Meera was being forced to marry a man and wanted to attempt suicide. She ran away with her girlfriend Laxmi and ended up in the capital, Kathmandu. Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) was willing to hear her case but legally only the opposite gender was allowed to marry- their case wasn’t heard. After all the malicious threats Laxmi received, she turned her anguish to positive actions and opened <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mitininepal.org.np/">Mitini Nepal</a>. A women empowerment organization focusing on the LBT community.  Generally, conservative parties are perceived as anti-queer. Strangely, in 2013, Laxmi became a candidate for the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/rise-and-rise-of-lgbt-candidates-in-nepal/story-O6hxNdnyMCzTjEz90FJDiI.html">Rashtriya Prajatantra Party</a>, a right-wing party that intended to revive the Nepali monarchy. In 2007, BDS went to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ibtimes.com/could-nepal-be-gay-haven-south-asia-211679">Supreme Court </a>and fought the government on the grounds of discriminatory laws which the BDS won and the government accepted the ruling that brought Sunil to the attention of Kathmandu’s political world.  Present ScenarioA few years ago, Sunil Pant established Nepal's first gay travel agency Pink Mountain, and in June 2011, a lawyer and college professor from Denver, Colorado <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-13847299">got married</a> in Kathmandu in the Hindu-Nepalese tradition. Nepal has come a long way, and in 2024, the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/06/30/nepal-supreme-court-same-sex-marriage/">favor of same-sex marriage</a> and made another landmark decision making Nepal once again a pioneer of gender equality. Happy Pride Month!!!!  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/carnivore-of-the-snow 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/327ea835-5b1c-4c03-a3fc-814280065ce6.jpg Carnivore of the Snow The image we typically have of carnivores is either in grassland or in a lush green forest. Rarely do people imagine carnivores in cold, mountain ranges; the snow leopard has maintained its prestige as the “carnivore of the snow”. There has been a steady increase in the population of snow leopards in Nepal, one report mentions that in 2009 around 358 snow leopards were counted in Western, Rolwalingm Sagarmatha, and Kanchenjunga.  The numbers of snow leopards seem to be<a href="https://theannapurnaexpress.com/story/46800/"> increasing</a> due to conservation efforts.   However with the rise of the population of snow leopards like in the case of tigers, human-wildlife conflict arise.    The Snow leopard diet includes 33% of domestic animals and 67% wild animals (blue sheep and Himalayan tahr).  In <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/nepal-snow-leopard-death-disease-mystery-himalaya/">one case</a> a report noted that a snow leopard hunted down 57 goats and destroyed the owners’ entire livelihood.  The conservation action plan has a budget of $3.15 million that goes into research, conferences, and reviews, with not much budget for the farmers.   This sadly causes <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/climate-environment/2020/10/22/retaliatory-killings-major-challenge-for-snow-leopard-conservation">retaliatory killings of snow leopards</a> which is becoming a major challenge in saving the species.  <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/rinzin-phunjok-lama-rolex-awards-nepal-snow-leopard.html">Rinzin Phunjok Lama</a>, who has been working in the field of conservation since 1990, has ideas on how to <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2022/06/protecting-snow-leopards-benefits-other-species-qa-with-rinzin-phunjok-lama/">avoid livestock being eaten by snow leopards</a> which could be a greater contribution to generating livelihood for locals in Humla region. Rinzin emphasized smaller livestock as snow leopards try to attack small animals, financial relief, and livelihood diversification to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.  Researchers know that a Snow Leopard is needed for every 150 blue sheep inorder to cull their wild population and reduce over population in grassland.  It is important to continue conservation efforts. A decline in snow leopards would also affect the vulture population, since snow leopards leave prey carcasses behind that vultures rely on.  Besides the snow leopards, researchers are increasingly worried about the Pallas Cat and Himalayan Grey Wolf which are becoming  dangerously extinct in Nepal and are down to approximately 50 in population.  Issues of rising temperatures leading to loss of habitat, and <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/gandaki-province/2021/01/14/wildfire-burns-700-hectares-of-forest-cover-in-manang">forest fire</a>s, alongside <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/gandaki-province/2021/11/14/poaching-and-smuggling-of-musk-deer-on-rise-in-mustang-forests">poaching and smuggling</a> all contribute to the dwindling number of snow leopards.  Lack of farmer education, leading to retaliatory killings need to be immediately  stopped.  There is a need for even more intense research, conservation and education on the Himalayan snow leopards, documentaries that shed light on the condition of Nepali wildlife are essential in the efforts of  spreading awareness to the local community and the world, helping to preserve the biodiversity.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/caste-love-and-murder 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/a94d4285-80f7-4726-a4fd-2363e070fb05.jpg Caste, Love, and Murder 21-year-old Nabaraj was a popular volleyball and track athlete in his home village of Jajarkot in mid-western Nepal. Nabaraj was part of the Dalit caste, known as the “untouchable” caste.  In 2018, Nabaraj fell in love with 17-year-old <a href="https://www.recordnepal.com/dereliction-of-duty">Sushma Malla</a>, an upper-caste teenager. The pair had professed their love and intention to get married. Sushma’s parents were against the relationship because of their caste differences. Her family <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/05/26/one-more-body-recovered-from-the-bheri-river-on-monday">had assaulted  Nabaraj twice</a> to stop the forbidden relationship. At this point Nabaraj’s family had also requested him to stay away from Sushma, fearing for his life.  In Nepal, <a href="https://www.lawcommission.gov.np/en/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/The-Caste-Based-Discrimination-and-Untouchability-Offence-and-Punishment-Act-2068-2011.pdf">caste-based discrimination</a> is a criminal offense. The family of Sushma Malla had to use an alternative strategy to prohibit the two from getting married.   Sushma’s parents and fellow villagers complained to the local Police Station that Nabaraj was trying to marry an underage girl. As per Nepali law both the bride and the groom must be at least 20 years of age to be eligible for marriage.  Nabaraj was arrested, but released from custody on condition that the two would not proceed with their marriage plans. 2 years later, on May 21st, 2020, Sushma called Nabaraj and warned him that she would be married off to another man in four days; and she pleaded for him to come and rescue her.  Nabaraj shared the story with his close friends.  Nabaraj felt compelled to help Sushma and traveled to her village.  Sushma’s father and brother saw Nabaraj and his friends in a neighboring district but did not react, but when they reached Sushma’s home, things took a turn for the worse. The villagers turned against them.  Sensing the trouble, Nabaraj and his friends decided to leave to avoid trouble. Just as they started to leave, the villagers began chasing them and that’s when an attack pursued. Nabaraj and his friends were detained and taken to police custody, the attackers were not even questioned. Furthermore, the police turned down the request made by the detainees to find six of their missing friends.  A day later Nabaraj and one of his friends' bodies were found on the banks of a local river.  The bodies of three other friends were recovered on May 25th and finally, <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/karnali-province/2020/06/02/soti-incident-sixth-missing-body-found-after-10-days">the body of </a>another friend was found on June 2nd.  12 people were arrested for the crime on May 26th, 6 others were arrested on May 28th. On June 4,  <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/karnali-province/2020/06/05/seven-more-arrested-in-relation-to-soti-incident">7 more</a> were arrested.  A total of 28 people were <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/karnali-province/2020/06/11/all-20-prime-accused-in-the-killings-of-dalit-youths-in-rukum-west-arrested">arrested</a> with 20 being the prime suspects in the murder and 8 others for additional investigation.  The murders instigated large Dalit activist <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/dalit-rights-activists-stage-protest-against-caste-based-violence-in-rukum-west">protests in Nepal and</a> triggered a sensational stream of events- the parliamentary committee on Law and Justice asked to create another cell to<a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/06/03/parliamentary-committee-directs-formation-of-dalit-cell-in-nepal-police"> investigate and deal with caste-based discrimination</a>.  On December 5th, 2023, the District Court of Rukum sentenced 23 defendants to life in prison for the murder of Nabarak BK and his friends.  Strangely, Sushma herself was convicted for caste-based discrimination, and suffered imprisonment for two years and fined Rs. 50,000. Nabaraj’s girlfriend in her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=645143036370923">interview</a> claimed that she had only taken him as a friend and later claimed they weren’t in conversation for two months ago and had a break-up.  There is another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5zQFIVyIlYM">voice record</a> attributed to Sushma where she agrees she was the girlfriend of Nabaraj. It seems she was sucked into the chaos trying to save her family.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/conquering-the-unconquered-virgin-peaks 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/post/3256434e-8593-49e9-9ca3-71247ba0b99c.png Conquering the Unconquered Virgin Peaks Nepal is a country famous for its majestic peaks- a pilgrim site for adventurers hoping to conquer the highest pinnacle on earth.  The mountaineer's incline to conquer the tallest mountain in the region, potentially overlooking more challenging ones, may lead to some arduous summits going unnoticed, unclimbed, and uncelebrated. Some <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mountainhouse.com/blogs/endurance-sports-athletics/hardest-alpine-climbs-in-the-world">mountaineering literature</a> agrees that scaling the second and third tallest peaks, namely K2 and Kanchenjunga, is riskier than ascending the world's highest, Mount Everest. There are seven provincial divisions in Nepal, out of which six provinces in Nepal that boast mountains that exceed 7000 meters above sea level. One of the most popular pinnacles which is also sometimes considered <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.climbing-kilimanjaro.com/dengerous-hardest-mountains-climb/">the most dangerous peak</a> in Gandaki Province, Annapurna I (8,580m.) became <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://luxuryholidaynepal.com/blog/nepals-hidden-peak-least-ascended-8000m">the first peak</a> above 8,000 meters to be ascended in 1950 by the French Expedition team. Similarly, the Koshi Province is home to the legendary Mount Everest (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/12/08/it-s-official-mount-everest-is-8-848-86-metres-tall">8,848.86 meters</a>), the highest peak in the world, and was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Everest/The-historic-ascent-of-1953">ascended</a> in 1953 and echoed across the globe- a pinnacle that holds international significance. Lumbini Province, situated in the south of the mountainous Dolpa district, is not widely recognized for its Himalayas; however, it is home to Dhauligiri VII (7,246 meters). In 1954, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sevensummittreks.com/page/putha-hiunchuli-expedition-7246m-dhaulagiri-vii.html">Jimmy Roberts</a>, a legendary explorer, and climber, had summitted- Dhauligiri VII. A year later, in the present-day Bagmati Province, a Franco-Swiss expedition team succeeded in<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.himalayajourneys.com/ganesh-himal-expedition.php"> scaling</a> the formidable Mt. Ganesh Himal (7,446 meters) in 1955, ascending the tallest peak in the province. Throughout the 1950s, at a rate of two or three parties of climbers per year made the ascent of various peaks. However, tourism in remote mountain areas was not encouraged during this period. As a result, peaks in the western region of Nepal were climbed much later.   The highest point in Sudur Paschim Province, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.asianhikingteam.com/api-himal-climbing.html">Api Himal</a> (7,132 meters), saw its first ascent by the Doshisha Alpine Society, a Japanese expedition team in 1960.  Three days after the ascent of Api Himal, a team of six people belonging to four different countries was able to reach the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-ascent-of-dhaulagiri-i">summit</a> of the world’s highest peak, located solely in a single country via Dhaulagiri I in Gandaki Province, Nepal. This peak was once <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalhimalpeakprofile.org/dhaulagiri-i">assumed</a> to be the tallest peak in the world. In 1965 and 1969, the Nepalese government <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu/anthpubs/ucb/text/kas067_068-011.pdf">imposed a ban</a> on mountaineering across all Himalayan ranges. After the climbing ban was lifted, mountaineering and summitting became legal for over thirty-eight peaks, igniting the enthusiasm for mountaineering in Nepal.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wongchhupeakpromotion.com/churen-himal-expedition">Churen Himal</a> (7,385 meters), the tallest summit in the Karnali Province, was ascended by the Academic Alpine Club of the Shizuoka Expedition team in 1970. The successful climb of Churen Himal marked a major milestone, concluding the climbing journey of all the tallest mountains in the six provinces.  In the 20th century, the tallest unclimbed peak was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://explorersweb.com/through-the-unknown-to-the-impossible-lhotse-middle/">Lhotse Middle</a> (8,410 meters), which was first ascended in 2001.  Currently, the tallest unconquered peak not opened for climbing is Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 meters), which is also the highest peak in Bhutan. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/gangkhar-puensumthe-highest-unclimbed-mountain-in-the-world/articleshow/46039090.cms">Bhutan prohibits climbing all peaks</a> above 6,000 meters, a policy that resonates with indigenous communities even in Nepal.  There are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2018/aug/19/mountain-high-the-worlds-last-great-challenges">claims</a> that Pakistan’s Muchu Chhish (7,452 meters) is the second-highest unclimbed peak and also the highest unclimbed peak open for climbers. The claim linked to Pakistan’s Muchu Chhish does not fit our database- our records show that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalhimalpeakprofile.org/shanti-shikhar">Shanti Shikhar</a>/ <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://explorersweb.com/forgotten-7000m-peaks-shartse/">Shartse</a> (7,591 meters) in Nepal is the tallest peak open for climbing but remains unsummited.  In recent years, these lesser-known mountains have been attracting mountaineers. In 2021, a Korean team scaled the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/seven-korean-climbers-scale-meriyang-peak">Mariyang Peak</a> (6,528 meters) in the Dolpa district. Then, on May 4, 2022, five climbers’ from the Korean Kyungbock High School Alpine Club, accompanied by two Nepali mountain guides, summited <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/korean-team-honoured-for-climbing-phu-khang-peak-for-first-time">Phu Khang Peak</a> (6,694 meters). <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://peakclimbingnepal.com/peak-climbing/6501-7000m-peaks/">Nepal is home</a> to a staggering 1,310 mountains above 6,000 meters, with 90 exceeding the 7,000-meter mark. Out of these peaks, 414 peaks are open for climbing. Due to the rugged terrain, many summits in Nepal have yet to be ascended.  As adventurers explore the Nepali wilderness, they continue to make fascinating discoveries. In 2019, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/kajin-sara-lake-discovered-in-nepal-gains-fame-as-the-highest-lake-in-the-world/articleshow/70771740.cms">Kajin Sara</a> (5,200 meters) was discovered in Chame Rural Municipality. In 2023, another <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepaldesk.com/news/highest-lake-nepal">new lake</a> in Dolpobuddha Rural Municipality, Dolpawas, was found at 5,190 meters.  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ufccF5B3Kg">video documentation</a> of climbing endeavors is as old as the expedition to the highest peak in Tibet. Nepal offers a wealth of opportunities for adventurers and filming projects.  It’s essential to have an expert local team experienced in this field. Nepa~laya Productions has worked on a documentary at the Annapurna Base Camp and could be the ideal partner for your next filming Project.     https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/culture-cannabis-and-controversies 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/708174b5-fc1a-4cfa-a916-ae1ece553300.jpeg Culture, Cannabis, and Controversies The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cannabis-truth.yolasite.com/resources/Abel.%20marihuana%20the%20first%20twelve%20thousand%20years.pdf">earliest evidence</a> of hemp used by human society comes from the island of Taiwan, dating back over 10,000 years.  Cannabis has multiple qualities and can be used in other ways than just using it to get intoxicated. Around 105 BCE, a minor court official Ts’ai Lun used crushing hemp fibre and mulberry tree bark, and combined them to produce the first paper. In South Asia, the plant was admired in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av11006.htm">Atharva Veda</a> which considered cannabis as one of the five plants that relieve sorrow and distress.  Cannabis consumption was widespread in South Asia, while British authority in India in the pretext of curtailing cannabis use rather emphasized profiting from it. The British imposed a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/lifestyles/how-cannabis-was-criminalized-260749/">tax in 1798</a> on cannabis products in India.  India continued to debate cannabis consumption and conducted research in 1893-1894 through the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission. The Commission was praised but remained <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://southasia.ucla.edu/history-politics/colonial-epistemologies/indian-hemp-drugs-commission/">controversial</a> due to strong financial incentives for the British Government to allow cannabis consumption.  Nepal was an isolated state, free from direct European influence, so its people easily could consume marijuana due to its cultural acceptance.  In 1961, Nepal introduced the Narcotic Drugs Act, making it mandatory to have a license to produce, sell, export, and import cannabis.  Cannabis being legal in Nepal was the perfect destination for Hippies. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7208/9780226429137-001/html">Mark Liechty</a>, a renowned South Asianist called Kathmandu “the Mecca of hippiedom.” Nepal, with its relaxed cannabis culture, was dismantled with direct foreign interference. The United States being the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.usaid.gov/nepal">oldest development partner</a> in Nepal had initiated the assistance agreement in 1951 that helped the US exert its influence in Nepal.    In 1970, the United States passed the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-charges/comprehensive-drug-abuse-prevention-and-control-act-of-1970.html">Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act</a>.  President Nixon <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://time.com/6090016/us-war-on-drugs-origins/">declared narcotics</a> as America’s public enemy number one. This marked a turning point even for Nepal’s cannabis culture.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/chronicling-the-ganja-ban-1327/">Kritinidhi Bista</a>, who is remembered for standing against India by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2017/11/12/kirti-nidhi-bista-who-strongly-stood-for-sovereignty-dies-at-90">removing Indian troops</a> from checkposts from the Nepal-China border, succumbed to the US lobby in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9107886/#:~:text=In%20July%201973%2C%20the%20government,made%20cannabis%20illegal%20in%20Nepal.">1973</a>. Nepal revoked all licenses to cultivate, buy, and sell cannabis; Bista later implemented the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lawcommission.gov.np/en/?cat=407">Narcotics Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 (1976)</a>, which made cannabis illegal in Nepal.  Nepal started ratifying the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.moljpa.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/List-of-Multilateral-Treaties-Signed-by-Nepal.pdf">conventions</a> on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances after 1987 and also maintained reservations on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.unodc.org/pdf/convention_1961_en.pdf">Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961</a> this raises doubts about Nepal’s true intention in the War Against Drugs.  Cannabis is associated with Shiva and is widely tolerated on the eve of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepaldatabase.com/celebrating-shiva-ratri-with-gaja-history-and-tradition">Shivaratri</a> when devotees visit the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.archaicnepal.com/blog/did-you-smoke-weed-yesterday/">Shiva temple</a> and consume marijuana. In fact, until 1995, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lawcommission.gov.np/en/?cat=610">Pashupati Area Development Trust</a>, a body established by a Governmental Act, used to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/valley/2019/03/03/state-announced-ban-on-marijuana-ineffective">distribute marijuana</a> to Sadhus. This practice ceased after Sadhus were found distributing and even selling marijuana to visitors. Sadhus are allowed to smoke weed, but they are not allowed to sell it, which led to police surveillance to prevent the public from doing the same. The ban was considered ineffective as people continued to use marijuana around temple spaces.  In Thailand, former Nepali Crown Prince Paras was caught with 12 grams of marijuana in November 2012. He was released on bail but subsequently <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/miscellaneous/2014/07/16/paras-shah-under-trial-for-pot-bust">smashed a luxury apartment</a> and returned to jail. He was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nepals-ex-crown-prince-arrested-in-thailand-with-marijuana-588674">arrested</a> on July 10, 2014, at the Devis Hotel for possessing marijuana and was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asia-news/147036-former-nepalese-crown-prince-paras-shah.html">arrested</a> in October 2014 amid a forest, this time with 10 grams of cocaine and 9 grams of marijuana.   In December 2022, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/nisikhola-ward-chair-arrest-marijuana.html">Surya Bahadur Gharti</a> the chair of Nisikhola Rural Municipality in Baglung was found guilty of possession of marijuana. In May 2023, a large quantity of cannabis was found in the house of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/ward-chairman-arrested-with-marijuana-in-makwanpur/">Shiva Jung Thing</a>, Ward Chairman of Thaha Municipality-7, Makwanpur.  As the United States and other countries began <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.setopati.com/social/118769">discussing the legalization</a> of medical and recreational marijuana, the debate also gained momentum in Nepal, particularly on the premise that Nepal had banned marijuana under foreign pressure.  On January 27, 2020, the Nepal Communist Party lawmakers <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://southasiacheck.org/in-public-interest/six-things-to-know-about-cannabis-legalization-in-nepal/">registered a motion</a> to legalize cannabis, and MP <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/why-nepal-must-legalise-cannabis">Sher Bahadur Tamang</a> continued his crusade to legalize marijuana.  Some Nepali fantasize about how marijuana could transform the Nepali economy. Cannabis has the potential to boost tourism, serve as a fabric for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/clothed-in-cannabis-in-kathmandu">clothes</a>, and even create <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/building-made-cannabis-yes-seriously-hempcrete/324521/">building </a>materials. It’s a debate worth exploring.    https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/dhaka-the-textile-of-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/1fc89c3f-d1c6-4ffb-988e-0654b82261dd.jpeg Dhaka: The Textile of Nepal Textile and its design play a significant role in shaping national identity, and most significantly, the geometric pattern known as Dhaka gained prominence after the Dhaka cap became mandatory during the reign of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.ratopati.com/story/31560">King Mahendra</a> (reign CE 1955-1972). There is a belief that Dhaka fabric originated from Dhaka city which is the present-day capital of Bangladesh. This is also considered a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wuka.co.uk/blogs/news/dhaka-fabric-and-wuka-wash-bag-wuka-period-pants">misconception</a> by many. According to Kirati sources, they have been making Dhaka fabric before the Rana oligarchy (CE 1846-1951) in Nepal.  There is actually a story on how the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://ecs.com.np/features/palpali-dhaka">Dhaka production</a> started in Nepal and how the term Dhaka became famous.  In 1928CE, Tulsi Meher was sent to Varda in India by Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher for weaving cloth using innovative handlooms. As per Chandra Shamsher's wishes Chandra Kamshenu Charkha Pracharak Mahaguthi was established in 1927CE; however, Devi Prasad Pradhan of Palpa came in contact with Tulsi Meher and took the initiative to bring handloom to Palpa.  Ganesh man Maharjan went to Kathmandu for training and observed Dambar Kumari (the daughter of PM Junga Bahadur Rana) who lived in Dhaka used Chamua Dhaka adopted colorful, fine, and valuable textile called Dhaka Fabric. In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/11/15/palpali-dhaka-to-be-branded-to-protect-local-industry">1958</a>, Ganesh man Maharjan acquired a Jacquard machine that was attached to a handloom which allowed textile makers to produce Dhaka fabrics with their distinctive designs.  In 1968 CE, Palpali Dhaka succeeded in establishing its own identity. Ganesh Man’s wife Purna Maya Maharjan(84) is the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/02/12/palpa-acts-to-revive-hand-woven-dhaka-and-rescue-a-local-icon">president of the Palpali Dhaka Association</a> and intends to keep the legacy alive.  There has been international support such as the UKAID Skills for Employment Program as well as the Skills Enhancement for Employment Project and the Lumbini Provincial Government have been helping to preserve these traits.  Dhaka gained prominence through the government’s mandatory use of caps for official photographs in citizenship.  Dhaka Cap was used as a symbol of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.recordnepal.com/one-hat-to-rule-them-all-the-dhaka-topi-and-the-subjugation-of-minority-cultures-in-nepal">national unity</a> while many minorities consider this act as internal colonization and oppression specifically in the southern belt of Nepal where people do not have a culture of wearing caps.  Minorities from eastern and western Nepali hills have made claims of being connected to Dhaka textiles, and this grew specifically after Dhaka became the national symbol. A simple abstract pattern of Dhaka is connected with the design of the mountains and therefore linked with Nepali nationalism. It is widely discussed both as a symbol of unity by one group and a symbol of oppression by another.  Note: The image is AI generated https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/exploring-the-ice-climbing-culture-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/7a160350-28ed-4166-8e17-dd478966f216.png Exploring the Ice Climbing Culture in Nepal IntroductionThe thrilling history of ice climbing has a fascinating evolution. Ice climbing, evolved from the support of adventurous explorers, who navigated the icy terrains and developed the use of tools; such as the modern ice axe. The axe, revolutionized the art of ice climbing and developed it as an extreme sport. Ice climbing is a winter sport that demands physical strength, quick thinking, intelligence, determination, skill, and technique to conquer the slippery terrain. It has evolved into an important sport for Nepal, serving as an unparalleled playground of frozen adventures at high altitudes. Nepal aspires to become an all-season tourist destination to boost the economy, and ignite the adventurous spirit that thrives in the hearts of all adventurers globally.  The History of Ice ClimbingIce climbing as a distinct sport traces its roots back to <a href="https://www.gadventures.com/blog/whats-crampon-history-behind-cold-climate-trekking-essential/">1908 when Oscar Eckenstein</a> made a significant innovation by developing claw-tooth crampons that were attachable to the bottom of climbing boots. These claw-tooth crampons were a game-changing invention in the field of ice climbing as they radically enhanced the grip and stability on slippery ice.  In <a href="https://grivel.com/blogs/company/history">1928, Laurent Grivel</a> introduced an innovative design with two front points on crampons, significantly increasing the surface area of the boot in contact with the ice. This improvement enhanced traction and grip, allowing climbers to ascend even steeper and more complex ice formations, pushing the boundaries that were previously deemed as impossible activities.  Another notable inventor, <a href="http://www.alpinist.com/tcl/email/August10/page1.html">Mariner Wastl,</a> is credited with inventing the ice screw in 1958. This invention allowed climbers to easily drill into ice, providing an efficient and reliable method to anchor themselves while ascending vertical ice walls and frozen waterfalls, saving climbers valuable time and energy.  Spiraling further innovation, in 1966, the founder of Patagonia, <a href="https://www.skyhookadventure.com/blog/a-hilarious-history-of-the-ice-axe">Yvon Chouinard</a>, innovated the modern-day ice axe with improved weight distribution, providing climbers with better control and stability when navigating challenging icy terrains.  These innovations greatly reduced the risk of slipping and falling, allowing climbers to ascend icy peaks confidently and safely. The evolution of versatile tools and equipment played a pivotal role in flourishing communities and competitions centered around ice climbing, ultimately transforming it into a popular and widely practiced sport.  Ice Climbing Opportunities in NepalNepal boasts a magnificent reputation, thanks to its majestic Himalaya range and natural resources. Among the 14 peaks that rise 8,000 meters above sea level, they are considered the death zones, and <a href="https://hsj.com.np/blog/8-out-of-14-tallest-peaks-of-the-world-in-nepal">eight of them</a> are found on the Nepal side. These towering giants serve as a powerful magnet for adventure sports enthusiasts from around the world.  Unfortunately, the Himalayan belt retains its chilly cold even during the summer months and endures extremely harsh winters. Consequently, even the local population prefers to migrate southward in the winter, creating a challenge in retaining tourists during cold seasons. The development of snow sports offers a promising solution to boost tourism in Nepal and transform the Himalayan Republic into an all-weather tourist destination. The creation of year-round tourist activities has the potential to make the profession more lucrative for entrepreneurs, workers, and the government alike. Therefore, it is evident that the government should prioritize skiing, snowboarding, and ice climbing activities bringing a large volume of adventure enthusiasts. Nepal can become one of the finest ice-climbing destinations globally, offering exhilarating experiences for adventurous climbers. The country boasts gems like  <a href="https://ytrot.com/adventure-sports-in-nepal/#:~:text=Kwangde%20waterfall%20Ice%20is%20one,pitches%2060%20meter%20rope%20length.">Kwangde Waterfall Ice</a>- one of the world's longest waterfall ice routes. Additionally, Nepal’s abundant wealth of unclimbed ice climbing destinations means that climbing enthusiasts can etch their names as the first person to conquer these challenging routes and embark on an arduous but rewarding journey.  Institutionalization of Ice Climbing Sport in Nepal  After Nepal opened its borders to international adventurers, in 1950 under the leadership of  <a href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2020/03/101609/">Maurice Herzog</a>, the team summited the magnificent Annapurna I (8091 meters) in the ‘dead zone,’ igniting the waves of mountaineers who were keen on exploring the country’s towering peaks. In 1973, the <a href="https://nepalmountaineering.org/about-nma">Nepal Mountaineering Association</a> (NMA) was founded with the mission to promote mountaineering, climbing, and tourism. NMA provided training, support, and guidance to aspiring climbers while also regulating and coordinating mountaineering and climbing activities, that ensured safety standards through rules and regulations.  NMA plays a crucial role in the conservation of the fragile Himalayan environment and in preserving its rich cultural heritage. Therefore, it has been instrumental in ensuring that mountaineering in Nepal is conducted responsibly and sustainably, benefiting all stakeholders. Additionally, NMA established an <a href="https://theuiaa.org/members/member-federations/#nepal">affiliation</a> with the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) in 1975. This collaboration has facilitated cooperation and collaboration between Nepal and the international mountaineering community, leading to the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and safety standards. Nepal has taken significant steps to promote ice climbing by organizing festivals and tournaments that attract international and domestic participants. On February 2, 2019, Nepal hosted its <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/country-s-first-ice-climbing-festival-to-begin-feb-2-in-manang/">First Ice Climbing Festival</a> in Humde, Manang, showcasing Nepal as a perfect ice-climbing destination. The inaugural event featured 20 climbers from various countries, including the United States, China, India, and Nepal. From <a href="https://visitnepal2020.com/events/2nd-annual-ice-climbing-festival/">February 1 to 10, 2020</a>, Nepal organized the 2nd Annual Ice Climbing Festival, which witnessed substantial growth in the number of participating ice climbers, with over <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/second-annual-ice-climbing-festival-held">40 adventurers</a> taking part. Unfortunately, information regarding the <a href="https://fb.watch/m_lCI1JvP3/">3rd International Ice Climbing Festival</a> organized by the Nepal Mountaineering Association is scarce.  It is evident Nepal seems to be determined to promote ice climbing, a move that has the potential to radically boost the country’s tourism sector.  Conclusion Ice climbing has evolved into a promising sport due to groundbreaking innovations like the claw-tooth crampons and the modern ice axe that slowly made ice climbing easier.  Ice climbing is gaining popularity in Nepal, primarily because of the renowned Himalayan landscape, cold frozen terrain made up of challenging mountainous land, which historically acted as an unforgiving hindrance to development. This geography is slowly converting into a boon for the growth of tourism. Nepal can become a global ice-climbing hotspot, an ideal adventure destination through initiatives like ice-climbing festivals. Nepal's effort to develop sustainable strategies fosters a vibrant ice-climbing culture with the aspiration of becoming an all-weather destination. The Himalayan state, to become a top tourist destination, has been working to take benefit from challenging landscapes, unexplored routes, and breathtaking ice formations while discovering new landmarks.  Nepal’s breathtaking terrain attracts ice-climbing adventure and helps position the country as an incredible filming destination. The Government of Nepal should actively promote reality shows, documentaries, and even locations for feature films, which will transform Nepal into a truly all-season tourist destination.   Stay updated by following us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nepalaya_productions/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nepalayaproductions">Facebook</a>.    https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/film-development-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/8430e5b6-e326-49f9-a322-0bb4ed85bf18.jpeg Film Development in Nepal Nepal has a short and turbulent film production history, with a regime that once prohibited film screening and an autocratic regime that curtailed freedom of speech. In the 1990s after the democratization of Nepal. However, in 1996 civil war started as a result media sector was threatened during the conflict, and growth in the film sector remained slow.  In the middle of the civil war on 30 June 2000, the Government of Nepal established the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://film.gov.np/pages/1/">Film Development Board</a>. The Film Development Board was designed to focus on developing and promoting films. Films have great potential to showcase Nepal as a tourist destination, it helps spread national history, culture, and ideas that can strengthen Nepalese national interest.  However, creating bureaucratic hurdles has increased the problems than resolving them. There are criticisms that the Film Development Board is a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/film-development-nepal.html">political preacher</a> a puppet as the chairperson is selected every two years belonging to cronyism of ministry.  The Board is unable to do anything, as it is not autonomous and has to get permission from the Ministry of Communication if it intends to spend Rs. 500,000.  The chairperson, a film star, Bhuwan KC has been surrounded by professional and personal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/scandals-in-the-nepali-movie-industry.html">scandals</a> and is even considered as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/bhuwan-kc-film-development-board.html">most controversial person</a> in the Nepali Film Industry.   Nepali films are criticized as being Bollywood <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nepali-film-for-oscars/story-KwpFKa8XA5J16Z5NKZqgTI.html">copycats</a>, these stories weaken Nepali's trust to invest and grow the Nepali film industry.  There was an effort to create a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalindata.com/media/resources/items/14/bFlim-City-in-Dolakha.pdf">Film City in Dolakha</a> that will have replicas of the World Heritage Sites of Nepal, production support, tourism, and other amenities  However, even this project remains in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/35462">limbo</a> due to lack of budget. There are a few million people who speak Nepali and watch Nepali films but as the overwhelming majority understand Hindi as well as English- Bollywood dominates the Nepali screen and Nepali youth have been growing appetite for Hollywood films.  Nepali films struggle as Nepal does not allow international payment for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepallivetoday.com/2021/04/24/no-end-in-sight-for-nepali-cine-industrys-crisis/">OTT platforms</a>, which makes it hard for filmmakers to succeed in film production.  Slowly with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://onlineradionepal.gov.np/en/2023/07/19/359294.html">digital tools</a>, the condition of Nepali films and their screening abroad is becoming convenient but the journey of Nepali film production is a tedious process.  While Nepal struggles to produce local films, Nepal is slowly becoming a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/location-scouting">major destination</a> for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/27936">international filmmakers</a>. However, even in this area, there are bureaucratic hurdles as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/permits">permits</a> have to be taken from the Film Development Board and other government agencies.  The film industry is also working on making progress in the sector around caste and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2021/03/18/how-this-group-of-filmmakers-is-trying-to-involve-more-women-in-filmmaking">gender inclusion</a> but this process is still tough. There have been films and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5rdMwh4poc">documentaries</a> that spread awareness and they have also worked in creating collective voices through various <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/nepalifemalefilmmakers/">filmmakers groups</a>.  Film Development in Nepal can help preserve its culture, nature, and landscape; it can help improve the living standards, and reform societal norms and therefore is an area where it can transform the whole country. https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/film-production-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/post/bf4cbee0-5e2b-46be-b678-eeacad080a05.png Film Production in Nepal The <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/the-way-we-were">invention</a> of the Camera happened in 1839, and the first photograph was taken in Nepal in 1863. Less than three decades later, the Lumiere brothers projected the first moving picture in 1895, but it took a much longer time in Nepal to shoot its first film.  The rulers of Nepal were afraid that Nepali would become aware of the world. In 1901, Prime Minister Dev Shumsher made provisions for <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270128178_Machinery_of_state_control_History_of_cinema_censor_board_in_Nepal">the screening</a> of videos for agriculture and education for the public, but it was met with <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/the-evolution-of-nepali-cinema.html">resistance</a> from his conservative relatives who stopped this endeavor.  Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru pressured the Rana Prime Minister to establish a cinema hall, and the first cinema hall was opened at New Road, Kathmandu in 1949, where the Hindi film ‘Ram Vivah’ was shown.  Nepalese movie culture had a very difficult time thriving, partially due to the influential Bollywood culture in its neighborhood. Some consider Nepali and Hindi as mutually intelligible languages because Nepali speakers can understand Indian movies without any prior training or education.  Hindi a language with a large population is also equally rich in literature, an older history of movie production provides the edge with a far greater budget for film production making it a soft power center around the world.  Nepal literally has a tiny market and the Nepali audience already has an appetite for Indian movies and has remained popular in Nepal.  The <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/movie-review/2020/02/07/the-nepali-film-industry-has-lights-camera-action-but-no-substance">first Nepali language movie</a> was shot in Bombay, India, in 1951, and the first movie shot in Nepal was ‘Aama,’ which was set up by King Mahendra in 1964.  Nepali Film Production has remained weak because Nepal also has a very young literary culture. Even the <a href="https://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/contributions/pdf/CNAS_29_01_07.pdf">first poem</a> written in Nepali is attributed to ‘Prithvinarayan’ by Suvananda Das, assumed to be a Newar poet (Newar is a linguistic community of Kathmandu Valley with a rich literary culture) around the 18th century.  Early literature mainly compromised translations from Sanskrit, and the first novel, ‘<a href="https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2018/02/656813">Bir Charitra</a>,’ was penned in 1903 by Girish Ballabh Joshi. This shows Nepal traditionally lacked the organic growth necessary to have a firm foundation to build a good story-telling culture.  The Nepali film market got the opportunity to <a href="http://bossnepal.com/history-of-nepali-film-industry/">develop</a> after the Maoists came into the mainstream in 2006, and Nepal became a re Stories surrounding the Civil War provided a unique voice to Nepali movies- narratives of many Nepalese that attracted a global audience.  As of 2023, the annual worth of Nepali Film Market 2023 was only USD 12 million, with 46 Nepali and 86 foreign films being shown in the country in the given year.    Nepali literature started relatively late, and even foreign movies were prohibited in the country just to keep people ignorant. There is also a growing tendency of various ethnic minorities to produce their own movies which have a richer literature than the most spoken language in the country.  The only movie that received an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Film ‘<a href="https://kathmandupost.com/47/2020/05/19/going-back-to-roots-some-of-nepal-s-best-indigenous-films">Himalaya</a>’ (aka Caravan) is a movie that depends on the Dolpo language of western Nepal.  Nepal’s cultural and geographical diversity, alongside its rich history and heritage sites, Nepal has a bright future in film production. The film production can also help introduce its magnificent art, architecture, and geography to a wider audience and could help boost its tourism sector and help build better educational material- it is an arm that could transform Nepal completely. Therefore, film production may have had a dark past but can have a bright future.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/flying-above-the-himalayas 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/post/0989df3c-e6a2-4585-aefb-4a573ff66803.png Flying above the Himalayas   The first plane that attempted to land in Nepal did not succeed; the plane sadly crashed, marking the notoriety of Nepali aerospace.  But planes have played a significant role in the Nepali political and social transformation. In May of 1946, a Royal Air Force plane <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460507-0">crashed</a> in Simra, located near the Indian border. There is a chance that the British security agencies may have used Nepali soil for landing purposes, and this was revealed after the accident.  Then, in 1947, “a lone pilot <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/accident-of-birth/?categoryId=opinion">landed</a> his ‘gilder’ on the old golf course in Kathmandu; the location near the landing would become the very first airport in Nepal. At that time, Nepal had only established <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mofa.gov.np/foreign-policy/bilateral-relation/">bilateral relations</a> with the United Kingdom, the USA, and India. Nepal was an isolationist country ruled by an autocratic regime; The Rana’s.  The Rana family was divided into classes; A, B, and C, with C-class Rana being struck out from the ‘roll of succession’. One such C-class Rana, Mahabir Shamsher, shifted to Calcutta where he operated an air service called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thewire.in/government/curious-case-burmese-guns">Himalaya Aviation</a>.  Around 1949, a Himalayan Aviation aircraft flew over Birgung and Kathmandu, dropping anti-Rana leaflets. The aircraft from Himalaya Aviation was also used to smuggle arms and ammunition from Burma into India, which was then utilized in Nepal to instigate a civil war against the Ranas.  Interestingly, the revolutionaries in Nepal were technologically advanced; they not only used aircraft but also used <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalnews.com/s/science-and-technology/73-years-of-establishment-of-radio-nepal">radio</a> to spread awareness against the Rana regime, while the traditionalist Rana lacked such infrastructure.  In 1949, Indian Ambassador Sarjit Singh Mahathia landed in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://caanepal.gov.np/storage/app/uploads/public/636/8af/d34/6368afd345d97987745449.pdf">Gauchar</a>; this marked the first historical landing of an airplane in Kathmandu, and Gauchar continued to be used as an airport. Himalayan Aviation Dakota DC-3 operated a chartered flight on February 20, 1950, from Gauchar to Calcutta, followed by three weekly flights between Patna and Kathmandu.  Gauchar remained the center of many historical incidents. One was that of King Tribhuvan, who flew from Kathmandu to Delhi in 1950, weakening the Rana regime. He finally flew back in early 1951, marking the demise of the Rana regime.  At a time when Nepal did not even have an official radio station, the physical presence of the King returning to the country with a plane, would have been a memorable event.  The historical Gauchar landing strip was finally inaugurated as Tribhuvan Airport in 1955, and the airstrip initially grassy, was later paved in 1957.  Nepal in the 1950s and 1960s was a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/opinion/2014/08/15/bringing-back-the-dakota">country without roads</a>, and a grassy runway was considered sufficient for aircraft landings. This setup, allowed Nepal to build various airways, which later were not used since different regions of Nepal became connected by highways.  In 1971, the Lukla Airport (now known as Tenzing Hillary Airport) was constructed, earning the reputation of being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.himalayanglacier.com/facts-about-lukla-airport/">the world’s most extreme airport</a> due to its unpredictable weather, short runway, and uneven topography. Nepal’s airports have not only gained notoriety for the number of accidents but also for an incident in 1999 when an Air India plane was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/zahoor-mistry-killed-air-india-flight-ic-814-hijack-1999-kandahar-1922013-2022-03-08">hijacked</a> and taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The flight was destined to fly to Delhi from Kathmandu but was taken over by terrorists.  In 2013, the European Commission (EC) imposed a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thediplomat.com/2022/08/will-reform-of-nepals-civil-aviation-authority-ever-take-off/">ban</a> on Nepali Airlines entering European airspace after eight British nationals were killed in a Sita Air plane Crash in 2012. The European Commission insisted that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) be split into separate bodies, one as a service provider and another acting as a regulator. Unfortunately, there has been a lack of necessary political will for such action.  There remains a history of constructing airports under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2023/11/19/why-nepal-keeps-adding-and-abandoning-airports">political pressure</a>, built solely for electoral politics and later abandoned.  Today, Nepal has 55 domestic airports, but only 32 are in operation. The distance between these airports ranges between 1 to 3 hours of driving in some districts, and it may cost less than three times to drive to the location than to fly. As for international airports, the question is whether Nepal even needs a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/does-nepal-need-a-4th-international-airport">fourth international airport</a>, while the previous two newly constructed airports are still <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/bhairahawa-airport-no-intl-flights.html">suffering losses</a>, to the extent that some media outlets in Nepal named the Pokhara International Airport a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2023/10/296080/">debt trap</a>.  Nepal has a rigid topography, further challenged by unstable politics.  The country is known for attracting a vibrant international trekking community and continues to be a lively tourist hub, however, it is a known fact, that Nepal must modernize its aerospace institutions and improve its infrastructure.        https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/ganesh-of-newar 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/2c8dd8cb-56fd-4ac7-8632-8888976829ad.jpg Ganesh of Newar The Elephant, the largest land mammal on earth, has been adorned and even feared since prehistoric times.  In Hinduism, elephants are sacred, and are associated with the elephant-headed god- Ganesh.  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://shreeganesh.com/site/about/2802/oldest-ganesha-statue-in-the-world">earliest sculpture</a> of Ganesh dates back to the 5th century CE and there are additional claims of even older Ganesh sculptures dating back to the 1st century CE.  The scarcity in sculptures of this god is evidence that Ganesh wasn’t a popular deity in the early common era.  By the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bowers.org/collections-blog/illuminating-nepalese-sukunda">7th century</a>, Ganesh started to gain a high level of religious status specifically with the original inhabitants of Kathmandu valley, the community known as the Newars.  Newari villages have multiple Ganeshsthans (Ganesh temples), and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://himalayancircuit.com/blog/tour/cultural-tour/ganeshthan-inside-kathmandu-valley/">popular Ganeshsthan</a>s include Ashok Binayak temple, Chandra Binayak temple, Surya Binayak temple, Jal Binayak temple, Kamaladi Ganesh temple, and Karya Binayak temple, all located in the capital of Nepal.  Kathmandu, also named ‘Kashtamandap’ or wooden rest house; is also called ‘Maru Satta’l in Newari, after the Maru Ganedyo named after Ganesh temple.  Newars actually offer an animal as a sacrifice to Lord Ganesh, this is in sharp contrast to the tradition outside of Kathmandu Valley, where no meat is ever offered to Lord Ganesh.  Internationally the living goddess of Nepal- the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/kumari-of-kathmandu">Kumari</a>, is somewhat known, but the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/the-boy-gods-of-kathmandu,4158">living gods</a> Ganesh and Bhairab are rarely discussed. There are Kumaris outside of Kathmandu valley, but Ganesh and Bhairab are limited to the capital city only.  Like the Kumari, Ganesh has to fulfill a series of criteria and would get a separate chariot during the Indra Jatra festival.  The living gods of Ganesh and Bhairab, was a tradition and a selection created during the reign of Jaya Prakash Malla.  Newars, like other Hindus, have a dedicated holiday to worshiping Lord Ganesh. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bhaktapur.com/discover/ganesha-chaturthi-chotha/">Bhadra Shukla Chaturthi</a> (a day in the Hindu lunar calendar). Newars call this day Cha Tha. Which is celebrated as Ganesh’s birthday.  One of the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bhaktapurfestival.com/item/cha-tha-puja/"> many Newar myths</a> states that people shouldn’t view the moon on the day of Cha Tha, otherwise, they shall <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bhaktapurfestival.com/item/cha-tha-puja/">become a thief</a>.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/guides-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/ef5f3a0f-ba21-4e25-82ef-9c17d7d67ba9.jpeg Guides in Nepal Nepal is a country famous for its mountains, flora, and fauna relying heavily on guides and porters to accompany tourists.  During the COVID crisis, many Nepalese youth including guides left the country for foreign employment, however, as the economy started to recover Nepal started attracting tourists again, once again creating tourism-related job opportunities.  Since April 1, 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board has made guides/porters <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ntb.gov.np/latest-travel-updates">mandatory</a> on treks making these professions more lucrative than ever. In 2019 there were 17,164 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/nepal-s-female-guides-prepare-for-trekking-season">licensed guides</a> in the country.  There are 700 nature <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2021/07/19/chitwan-nature-guides-worry-about-future">guides</a> registered with Chitwan National Park out of which 400 are actively engaged. A guide's income ranges from Rs. 1,500- Rs.2,000 per day (around $12). It should be noted that the GDP per capita of Nepal is $1336 annually, an average Nepali makes less than $4 per day and the guide salary is three times more than the Nepali average.  Some tour guides earn $100 per day. If a guide works regularly they could earn up to Rs. 60,000 per month.  There are also gender dynamics in the tour guide industry, generally, guides in Nepal are predominantly a male profession, but this is changing as well. In Gauri Shankar, trekking guides are now <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=15559">predominantly women</a>.  In Simi Village, Dolakha women are trained to be guides under the unique Rolwaling Eco-tourism Development Project that aims to reduce poverty by boosting grassroots tourism. A unique culture has developed as women go out as guides and men stay working the farm.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/dolakhas-dawa-yangzum-sherpa-becomes-countrys-first-female-international-mountain-guide">Dawa Yangzum Sherpa</a> (27), Rolwaling Valley received certification from the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association after completing a tough course of mountain guiding that took a five-year-long examination process.  Dawa Yangzum is South Asia’s first female IFMGA-certified guide. There are 6,000 IFMGA certified guides worldwide and less than 1.5% are women.  She had completed the 350 km Everest sky race and became second in the female competition in 2010. She was the first Nepali to complete rescue ranger at Mt Rainier and climbed various peaks. She is one of three Nepali women to climb Mt. K2 (8,611m.)  The profession of guides still has a lot of threats and challenges. In April 2014 Everest was hit by the deadliest <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://widerimage.reuters.com/story/everest-after-the-avalanche">Avalanche</a> killing 16 Nepali sherpa guides.  The accident initially announced a payment of $400 to the victims’ families to cover funeral costs. The event outraged sherpas who sometimes ply the risk of as little as $1,000 per season while the Nepal government receives $10,000 royalty from every Everest climber.  This event caused guides to boycott, forcing hundreds of foreign climbers to call off their bids to climb the mountain.  Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality refused the policy of making trekking guides compulsory and continued <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/solo-travellers-allowed-to-trek-without-a-guide-in-everest-region">Solo Travel to the Everest</a> area. Therefore, there is also a political dimension that is bubbling in the area of Tour Guides.  As a whole Nepal continues to need guidance to promote tourism as a potential career.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/habre-the-red-panda-of-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/6fbd5be6-a852-4f9e-ba63-a7f099e43c0b.jpeg Habre, the Red Panda of Nepal Fun fact: Nepal’s Red Panda may seem to be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://redpandanetwork.org/post/15-fantastic-facts-about-red-pandas">named</a> after the large black and white bears known as Pandas, but the truth is it’s the other way around! Pandas are named after the small furry creature. Red pandas sleep 17 hours a day and are nocturnal and crepuscular (active during twilight hours), which makes them quite difficult to track. They are native to the eastern Himalayas - and live in trees, and feed on bamboo as well as eggs, birds, and insects, they are solitary animals active in dusk and dawn.   In Nepal, red pandas are called “Habre”.Nepal holds the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/red-panda-population-by-country">single-largest red panda habitat</a> of 22,400 Km2, while the other three countries with Red Panda populations China, India, and Bhutan only make 19,700 km2.  Sadly, as with much of our world's wildlife, the Red Panda population in Nepal is dwindling. Even though Nepal is well known for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-tigers-of-nepal-are-flourishing-again">doubling</a> its tiger population and growing its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/carnivore-of-the-snow">snow leopard population</a>, red pandas seem to be going extinct. Nepal's Red Pandas population has decreased 50% over the last three generations. Nepal a country renowned for growing its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-nepals-community-forest">forest coverage</a> continues to suffer from a human-wildlife conflict, red pandas are shy creatures that don’t attack humans unless truly <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greenmatters.com/big-impact/are-red-pandas-dangerous">threatened</a>.  In Nepal, there are cases where people have been arrested with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/11/196130/">red panda hide</a> between 2008 to 2018, 121 red panda pelts were confiscated. The major contributors to poaching are unemployment and lack of education. In 2007, a community-based conservation program was launched to prevent the extinction of red pandas, but clearly more work needs to be done.  14 community forests in an area called Taplejung <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-1/2022/07/28/public-banned-from-forests-to-protect-red-panda">temporarily banned entry</a> between July 2022 to mid-September 2022. This was due to the Red panda breeding season. Conservationists learned that when a mother panda finds her habitat touched by humans- she tends to move with her cubs, frequent location change is not suitable for cubs since it leads to their death in some cases. In 2018, a team of Zoologist led by Ganesh Ghimire with funding from the Rufford Foundation (UK) was able to record a video of Red Pandas strolling in their habitat near Naphada River in the jungle of Lekali, this was the first time evidence of red pandas was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/endangered-red-panda-seen-in-lamjung-for-the-first-time">found in Lamjung district</a>.  Recently the  “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/the-red-panda-house">Red Panda House</a>”  has started construction by Dutch conservationist and architect Anne Feenstra and her Nepali colleague Sapana Shakya near Taplejung airport. The space will provide accommodation and dining for trekkers, researchers, conservationists, students, and other visitors.  Conservationists need to focus on increasing the Red Pandas population. This is a story that is slowly expanding in Nepal and will become more significant in the coming years.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/haliya-the-slaves-of-the-western-hills 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/486af2c5-8725-43b6-abd4-2f7400b47ebf.jpeg Haliya the Slaves of the Western Hills Haliya, which literally means ‘one who tills the land,’ is known as a form of bonded labor. In many cases, these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.humanrights.asia/news/alrc-news/human-rights-council/hrc15/alrc-cws-15-07-2010/">debts are accumulated</a> by their ancestors while they are forced to live in servitude. As they aren’t paid, they are again forced to take out loans for personal or family emergencies, and the aggregated interest ensures they remain in the vicious cycle.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalbase.org/history-of-kamaiya-in-nepal/">In 1925</a>, the Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher banned slavery, the resource continued to be monopolized by the elite families as a resource the impoverished remained enslaved. UN reported one-fourth of Nepalese land was recorded as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/land-reform-in-cold-war-nepal">Birta</a>, a form of tax-free land system, and a similar amount of land was controlled by landlords.  The first democratic government of Nepal in 1959 abolished the Birta system and received backlash from the feudal landlords leading to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/ground-reality-of-landlessness-in-nepal">a coup</a> in 1960. However, the autocratic regime didn’t back out of the land reformation policy and continued pushing feudalism even further until the 1990s wave of democracy changed the fate of Nepal, and Nepal once again became a democracy.  In 1995, the democratic leadership intended to crack down on the communist-led civil war and a new era started where peasants started threatening the lives of the landlords transforming the Nepalese.  Time and again the government declared to abolish the Haliya system while only <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://felm.org/new-report-only-15-of-freed-haliyas-nepals-ex-bonded-laborers-feel-that-the-received-rehabilitation-package-is-sufficient/">15% of freed Haliya</a> felt they received a sufficient rehabilitation package and in some cases, the emancipation was more of a punishment than a blessing.  In Thalara Rural Municipality-9, Bajhang government paperwork identified 79 families of Thalara-9 as freed Haliyas. However, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2022/07/20/freedom-for-haliyas-a-long-shot-even-after-14-years-of-supposed-emancipation">Jhima Luhar</a> a Haliya remarked that the government gave relief to his oppressors while they were not included in the list of freed Haliya. The ward had 118 genuine Haliya families which was not included in the freed Haliya list.  In another case, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2020/09/08/12-years-since-liberation-freed-haliyas-in-kanchanpur-await-resettlement">Janjali</a> used to receive food and clothing from the landlord when he remained in bonded labor. After the government started collecting statistics and information on the freed Haliya- the landowner chased Janjali from their house. He was left with no shelter and money. His name was not even included in the list of freed Haliya.   According to the reports, the government decided to buy plots of land for verified <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2022/07/20/freedom-for-haliyas-a-long-shot-even-after-14-years-of-supposed-emancipation">Haliya</a> of Sudurpaschim- yet many were excluded from the rehabilitation package provided by the government.   Even the settlements created for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/haliya-settlement-at-risk-in-doti">Haliya were found to be at risk</a>: The government side claimed, the Haliya were free to choose the location for them to buy the land but they selected a hazardous location against what was advised. As a result, freed Haliya couldn’t live in their new homes due to risks such as landslides. In September 2019, the National Freed Haliya Society Federation was unhappy after their supposed emancipation and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/freed-haliyas-stage-rally-in-dadeldhura">staged a protest</a>. They were also furious about 1,200 aliya were missing from government statistics.  The Haliya system is prevalent in the western corner of Nepal and predominantly exploits the Dalits the marginalized minority of Nepal. The government even after abolishing slavery still struggles to actually emancipate the marginalized group while opportunists have found ways to take advantage of the scene.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/himalayan-water-crisis 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/03750ea5-b84d-42ff-b6a5-ce8cd2477330.jpeg Himalayan Water Crisis There is a popular misconception in Nepal that Nepal is the <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/nepal-its-status-in-water-resources.html">second water-rich country</a> in the world after Brazil. However, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/269361/worldwide-renewable-water-resources/">Bhutan</a> has a far higher <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ER.H2O.INTR.PC?locations=NP">renewable water resource per capita</a> than Nepal.  There are a lot of water-related myths and beliefs that have transcended into forming national perceptions.The <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/11/26/can-nepal-harness-its-huge-hydropower-potential">total capacitance of Nepalese hydropower</a> is 83,000MW, while the total capacitance of these rivers is 72,544 MW.  The <a href="https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/nepal/fact-sheets/nepal-hydropower-development-program">economic feasibility of hydropower</a> is around 40,000 MW and has been the center of international politics.  The <a href="https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11202181_03.pdf">6,000 Nepalese rivers and rivulets</a> contribute to <a href="https://kec.edu.np/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Paper_22.pdf">more than half of the water</a> in the Ganges which is the <a href="https://www.wwf.org.uk/where-we-work/ganges">most populated river basin</a> in the world. The water-sharing treaties between Nepal and India have been extremely controversial.  <a href="https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jahss/9/3/9_75/_pdf/-char/ja">India’s objective</a> in the Nepalese River has been driven by irrigation and flood control while the Nepalese side has remained more interested by hydropower production.  Water politics have been greatly affected by global warming and climate change. In Nepal, there are 5,353 lakes, 20 are at risk of <a href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2020/01/116599/">outburst</a>. In the Sankhuwasabha district alone there are 10 glacial lakes out of which four are at <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/four-glacial-lakes-at-risk-of-outburst-in-sankhuwasabha">risk of outburst</a>.  This problem is a cross-border tension since 17 lakes in Tibet are under threat of outbursts that drain into the Arun River that flows through Nepal. Even though Nepal contributes only <a href="https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/Nepal%20First%20NDC.pdf">0.027% of greenhouse gas</a>, Nepal suffers directly from global warming.  On <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/scores-feared-missing-in-sindhupalchok-floods-landslides">June 16, 2021</a>, there was an assumption that there was a <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/glacial-outburst-suspected-to-be-behind-flash-floods-in-central-nepal-121061700125_1.html">glacial outburst</a> in Tibet that caused floods and landslides, in which 50 people went missing and bridges collapsed, blocking the water supply to the capital Kathmandu. This happened due to the breach of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nhres.2023.07.001">Pemdam Glacial Lake</a>, which reveals the problem has already cost lives and property in Nepal.  The problem of climate change has created a multi-facade problem, the Himalayas are considered a natural barrier, and as a result, some regions remain extremely dry, these are  better known as a rain shadow. However, due to the temperature rise, the <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/unraveling-the-factors-behind-the-unprecedented-flood-in-mustang/">monsoon clouds now move up</a>wards, and are able to drizzle just <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/little-rainfall-triggers-disastrous-flash-floods-in-mustang/">5.6 millimeters of rain</a> for less than an hour in the traditional dry region of Nepal. Becuase of this, in August of 2023, there was a destruction of 31 structures.  As the rain pattern changes, some areas face excessive rainfall while others face <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/prolonged-drought-hits-mustang-locals-hard">prolonged droughts</a>. In 2016, 18 households in Samjung Village shifted to Namsung Village in Mustang.  The damage to natural balance with either too much rain or too little rain has become a real threat to locals.  As the temperature rises, the moisture of the soil also depletes while there has been a rise of flash floods.  Nepal is the <a href="https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/cps-nep-2013-2017-sd-01.pdf">13th most climate-vulnerable country</a> in the world, temperature is rising fast in the highest altitude in the world.  After the Maldives conducted an <a href="https://www.wsj.com/video/maldives-underwater-cabinet-meeting/AC96723D-AF29-4C86-AF19-4A56E102D218">Underwater Cabinet Meeting</a> in October 2009 to spread awareness of global warming, Nepalese followed suit and in December of the same year, Nepal held a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34270615">Cabinet meeting at the highest altitude</a> in Kalapathar, near the Everest Base Camp.  Similarly, the Ministry of Forests and Environment of Nepal is working to constantly draw national and international attention to the crisis. The ministry conducted the <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/mountain-advocacy-summit-mustang.html">Mountain Advocacy Summit</a> in 2022, which was a 2-day program organized to bring national and international attention.  In 2022, the <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/trekking-in-shey-phoksundo-to-highlight-impact-of-climate-change">Sath sathai Foundation</a> an NGO in the field of climate change, social development, and women’s empowerment led a <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2022/07/07/60-nepali-women-to-trek-in-dolpa-to-raise-climate-awareness">60 Nepali women trek</a> between October 8 and 14 to raise climate awareness. There are clear activities done by the government as well as local non-profit organizations to spread awareness of climate change.  There is a necessity for research, documentation, and dissemination, and the global population needs to know that their actions have a dramatic impact not just in a small mountainous country but also in the most populated river basin of the world.  As developed settlements are generally in coastal areas, the rise in sea level is well discussed while the glacial lake outburst is comparatively less on the agenda.   One of the major ways to transform this problem is by investing in hydropower and replacing carbon-based energy sources with renewable energy of which Nepal also has a competitive advantage. The discussion may not be a complaint about this growing problem, but a process of solving the problem.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/historical-relations-from-the-himalayan-corridor 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/42e71b3c-d5a3-4e9b-a47a-34d22904c2b7.jpeg Historical Relations from The Himalayan Corridor The Himalayan corridor was formed when the Eurasian plate collided with the Indian plate <a href="https://www.forestrynepal.org/exploring-the-formation-of-the-himalayan-mountains-the-converging-indian-and-eurasian-plates/">40 to 50 million years ago</a>, giving rise to the magnificent Himalayas. As the water of the Tethys Sea shrank and evaporated, it created <a href="https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/how-did-himalayan-pink-salt-end-up-so-high-in-the-mountains.html">salt mines</a> in the Tibetan plateau.  There was abundant salt in the Tibetan plateau, while the southern slopes of the Himalayas lacked salt. These conditions were appropriate for the <a href="https://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/ret/pdf/ret_65_03.pdf">salt trade</a> from Tibet to South Asia utilizing the Himalayan corridors.  The <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/earliest-inhabitants-of-upper-mustang-came-from-tibet">earliest inhabitants</a> in Mustang, one of the major corridors, date back 3,000 years. Further investigation revealed that they traded rice from South Asia for goods in Tibet. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an era when the region learned the art of writing, nor were there folk narratives that would shed light connecting the dots with archaeology. However, there are mythical stories that connect Kathmandu with China.  In a mythical era of Treta Yuga, Bodhisattva Manjushri came from Mahachin (China) and stayed on Mahamandap, a small hill one mile east of Bhaktapur, which was later called Manjusri Than. From there, he saw the Swayambhu light in the pond and drained it from the southern side. Manjushree then installed a king called Dharmakar and returned to China. These ideas were published by <a href="https://archive.org/details/historyofnepaldanielwright1877_9_V/page/n6/mode/1up?view=theater">Daniel Wright</a> in 1877 at a time when Nepal was nearly unheard of; while a new image of Sangri-La was being constructed based on chronicles.   While there is no exact evidence of the earliest Nepal-China trade relations, it should be remembered that the ethnic minorities in Nepal, accepted as the indigenous community, share a language family with the Chinese through the Sino-Tibetan language family.  Festivals such as Sonam Lhosar (Tamang New Year) <a href="https://www.nepalminute.com/detail/1665/sonam-lhosar-marks-the-start-of-year-of-cat-photo-gallery-2023-Jan-22-350700">coincide</a> with the Chinese New Year; Yenya (Indrajatra) of Kathmandu coincides with the date of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. Even the architectural style used to make temples is <a href="https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/23136">similar</a> to that of China. These similarities indicate the probability of cultural exchanges, at least in the formation of these customs and structures.  The earliest historical evidence of Chinese travelers visiting South Asia is <a href="https://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/texts/faxian.html">Faxian</a>, who traveled between 399 and 414 CE. However, he undertook his journey from Central Asia to India in search of copies of Buddhist texts. Buddhism from South Asia had already <a href="https://asiasociety.org/buddhism-china#:~:text=It%20was%20brought%20to%20China,of%20Buddhism's%20success%20was%20Daoism.">reached China</a> during the latter part of the Han dynasty (around 150 CE). While exact evidence is not prevalent, it is generally believed that the earliest form of Buddhism traveled by sea route.  The earliest Nepal and Tibetan relations reveal a more militaristic tendency, particularly in <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/43300047">projecting Tibet as a very powerful state</a> in history.  In 632, the Tibetan ruler Strong-tsen received the hand of Princess Bhrikuti. The text revealed that King Amshu Vermanticipated that 50,000 Tibetan soldiers would kill him and abduct Princess Bhrikui after destroying the valley and towns in Nepal. A clearer historical picture emerged in the year 695 when an edict was erected in Nepal, referring to Tibet as Bhot-Visti.  Historical facts reveal that trade and military actions have been occurring in the region since the 6th century. Around 647-48, Chinese emperor T’ai-tsung sent three delegates to his friend Harshavarshana, the king of India. However, by that time, Harshavardhan had died and his minister Arunasva (Arjuna) had usurped the throne.  Arjuna, being anti-Buddhist, robbed the Chinese envoy. The delegation team from Wang-shen-Tse escaped and took refuge in Nepal. They appealed to Tibet, and 2,000 Tibetan soldiers, leading 7,000 Nepali forces, defeated Arjuna in three days, capturing him alive and sending him to China.  The Himalayan corridor is not just a transit for goods; it is also a route for military endeavors. In 1962, the Sino-Indian War was generally agreed upon as a Chinese victory, exposing the vulnerabilities of India. These corridors have proven to be a significant threat to Indian security, and the reason for India’s enduring interest in Nepali internal politics.    The historical relations of the Himalayan corridor encompass both trade and war. The Ministry of External Affairs of India has prepared a documentary titled ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtRYP869Zig">Down the Ages: India and China</a>’. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Sino-Indian_War_films">Various war dramas</a> by the Indian film industry continue to romanticize the wartime history between the countries. The <a href="https://www.himalmag.com/at-last-himalayan-cinema/">Oscar-nominated movie ‘Caravan’</a> for best foreign-language film, reveals the potential of the Himalayan Caravan.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/history-of-adventure-in-the-himalayas 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/e31d79f4-201e-4897-b134-e215b6f0ab13.jpg History of Adventure in the Himalayas Nepal, a country now known for adventure and extreme sports, was historically an isolated Himalayan Kingdom, with a rugged terrain and an isolationist government. Modernization, and the introduction of bicycles for example, at the time, was originally considered a luxury that could only be afforded by the elite.  Nepal's first bicycle store was established in <a href="https://kvuhp.nepalpicturelibrary.org/resource/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-kathmandu-valleys-cycling-culture/">1925 by Asta Narayan Manandhar</a>. The cost of a single bicycle was Rs. 100, which exceeded the annual income of an average government official. Adventure sports were not a practical activity in early 20th-century Nepal.  Due to the rapid political transformation that started in 1949, Nepal gradually <a href="https://www.markhorrell.com/blog/2014/how-nepal-first-came-to-open-its-doors-to-tourism/">opened its borders</a> to mountaineers, marking a pivotal moment for adventure sports. New policies began to promote mountaineering and adventure in a country slowly gaining fame for its famous peaks. Eventually, it turns Nepal’s landscapes into a playground for global adventurers. The spirit of exploration ignited in 1964 when former Gurkha Officer and Military Colonel <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/the-himalayan-odyssey">Jimmy Roberts</a> started Nepal’s first trekking company ‘<a href="https://www.mountaintravelnepal.com/about/history">Mountain Travel</a>’. As a result, Roberts earned the title "The Father of Trekking" in Nepal. Tourism has created a symbiotic relationship between travelers and the locals, as adventurers created employment opportunities in an impoverished country.  Mt. Everest has bolstered the reputation of tourism as being recognized for its challenging terrain.  Mt. Everest is the highest peak in the world when measured from sea level. It attracts adventurers intending to make headlines and seek their country’s recognition.  In 1970, Japan’s Yuchiro Miura's daring ski descent of Mount Everest solidified his reputation for accomplishing such an extraordinary feat, marking only the beginning of such thrilling adventures. This also helped to create an award-winning documentary “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViFmRQx66Xg">The Man Who Skied Down</a>. Very soon after, a new adventure sport was introduced in Nepal when Americans Craig Moffet and Brad Grunewald achieved the unthinkable by<a href="https://nepalitimes.com/multimedia/downhill-all-the-way"> biking to Everest Base Camp</a> in 1983, it was right after Moffet and Grunewald’s feat, that mountain biking became another celebrated sport in Nepal.  The <a href="https://www.himalayanjoy.com/blog/tenzing-hillary-everest-marathon.html">1985 Everest Marathon</a>, organized by Tony Hunt and Jan Turner, added another dimension to Nepal's adventure portfolio. This challenge encouraged the regular event of conducting a race at an astonishing altitude of 5,364 meters, making it one of the world's most challenging races. The Himalayas have transformed into a testing ground for athletes seeking to challenge human physical capabilities and prove their competence in extreme conditions. In 2008, the inaugural<a href="https://www.everestskydive.com/everest-skydive-2008"> Everest skydiving event</a> further enriched Nepal’s adventure sports offerings. Four fearless skydivers showcased their enthusiasm for adventure by taking the skies above the majestic Himalayan peaks.  Sports continued to experience remarkable growth in the 21st century. In 2020, designated as Visit Nepal Year, the Everest region hosted the <a href="https://www.vivaanadventure.com/gokyo-lake-ice-hockey-and-ice-skating/">World's Highest Ice Hockey and Ice Skating event</a> at Gokyo Lake. Nepal’s evolution from isolation to becoming a global adventure magnet reflects an inspirational story of a country that opened itself up, allowing nature's grandeur to meet the human ambition of achieving unprecedented heights.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/history-of-islam-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/47aa0112-9dee-4cdf-b1fb-cbed7a1be9e1.jpeg History of Islam in Nepal Islam in a Hindu-majority Nepal may sound strange to an international audience; however with more than a million Muslims. Islam is a significant component of Nepal.   The Islamic conquest of the Indian sub-continent has shaped Nepali history. Due to the Islamic invasion many Indian princes fled and took refuge in Nepal. The last dynasty of Nepal- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/DSAJ/article/view/8479/6881">the Shah dynasty</a> as well as the second last dynasty- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://itihasaa.com/tirhut-kings/harisimhadeva/">Malla dynasty</a> claim to have fled the plains fled the southern slopes and migrated towards hills seeking refuge from Islamic invaders. In 1349, Nepal also faced the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/history-on-canvas">first Islamic invasion</a> but that didn’t last for long, and Nepalese kingdoms remained comparatively free from direct Islamic rule while many hill kings did pay tribute to Muslim rulers in India, and in exchange these rulers gained custodianship of the Terai plains.Islamic influence could be felt in the large volume of usage of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://historylessonsnepal.blogspot.com/2009/06/minding-our-language.html">Persian words</a> in courts, bureaucracy, and palaces; the royal title Shah of Nepal is a Persian word. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/VOH/article/view/53789/40371">first mosque</a> was permitted to be built in Bagbazar in 14th century which is known Jame Masjid. However, Nepal’s first Muslim settlers are linked with Kashmiri traders in the late 15th century. In early 18th century, King Bhaskar Malla use to go to catching wild elephants in Terai where he made Muslim friends and brought many Muslims in Kathmandu. Muslims were musician, scent manufacturers and bangle suppliers. Bhaskar Malla also appointed a Muslim as Chief Minister which caused a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://jndmeerut.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/7.pdf">great revolt</a> leading to beheading of all Muslims except five of them who then left the country. In Nepal, Muslim will continue to have conflicted relationships even till the modern period.Generally, the first king of Shah dynasty in Nepal- Prithvi Narayan Shah is perceived as symbol of Hindu nationalism. Many Nepali have studied about Makwanpur’s king Digbandan Sen was defeated after which he requested Mir Qasim to attack and take over Makwanpur. Mir Qasim attacked and deputed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/how-nepal-fought-back/">Gurgin Khan</a> to common to invade Makawanpur palace. In Secember 1672, Gurgin Khan left from Mursidabad with 3500 troops and arrived at Harnamadi field (today Hetauda) but was defeated by the Shah forces. However, many Nepali do not know about three Muslim who assisted Prithvi Narayan in his conquest <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pahar.in/pahar/1968-prithwinarayan-shah-in-the-light-of-dibya-upadesh-by-stiller-s-pdf/">namely</a> Sekhjar, Bar Mama, Bherekasim as a result the precursor of creating a True Hindu state (Asel Hindusthana) had a pro-Islamic stance. In fact one of the most remembered battle of Nepal, costed the life of Sheikh Zorawar in first Kirtipur war. Due to the support and sacrifice of the Muslim to the Shah’s expansionism, the muslim community was permitted to continue to live not only in Kathmandu. Literature suggest Muslim community had already settled in Gorkha during the  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thecho.in/files/16.-Niranjan-Ojha.pdf">reign of Ram Shah</a> an ancestor of Prithvi Narayan Shah while some claim that this was established after the support to Prithvi Narayan Shah. Action of Shah providing a benevolent support to Muslim led to a rumor that the Shah of Nepal are secretly muslims, however historical evidence clearly disprove such ideas. Since 1990 there has been rise of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2019/01/52251/">Hindu-Muslim Riots</a> however even before the period there has been religious conflict which is comparatively unknown outside the research circle. Many Nepali sincerely believe that there has been no bloodshed in Nepal in the name of religion. In reality, Muslims have received royal patronage but religious sentiments have caused violence in  Nepal. There has been <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://d1i1jdw69xsqx0.cloudfront.net/digitalhimalaya/collections/journals/ebhr/pdf/EBHR_18_02.pdf">Hindu-Muslim riots</a> even in 1958-9 in Mahottari and in the end Muslims were paid compensation to create a mosque. There are stories and history which would provide a more detailed understanding of Hindu-Muslim relations in Nepal.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/history-of-sikhism-and-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/8256a52e-d0b2-4654-bba1-65aea7077604.jpeg History of Sikhism and Nepal History of Sikhism in Nepal goes back to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/nepal-mutt-visited-by-guru-nanak-in-a-state-of-neglect/articleshow/71496177.cms">root of Sikhism</a> as it is believed that Guru Nanak not just visited but also meditated in the capital of Nepal- Kathmandu.  Guru Nank first meditated in the location of Singha Durbar the seat of Nepali government and later arrived in a muth in Balaju. The ruling king gave 1,200 ropanis ( 1 ropani= 508.72 sq. m.)  of land to make the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2019/11/02/nepal-traces-its-sikh-connection-back-to-guru-nanak-days.html">muth</a> self-sustaining.  Similarly, king Jay Jagat Malla of Kathmandu is said to have visited Guru Nanak in his visit to Varanasi.  The relationship took a major twist when Gurkha empire and Sikh faced one another during the territorial expansion.  Gurkhas in the command of Amar Singh Thapa took over the fort of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://himachal.nic.in/en-IN/gorkha-and-sikh-war.html">Kangra</a> in present day Himanchal Pradesh of India. History suggest that Maharaja Ranjit Singh only decided to interfere after he realized that Gurkha forces have agenda of expanding itself towards Kashmir Valley that concluded it in war.  The Gurkhas lost the war in Kangra fort as a result Nepali side never discuss its history of Kangra.  The war created a complex relationship between Sikh and Gurkhas and whenever one of the two empire got threatened the other remained cautious and couldn’t prove to help the other.  After the Anglo-Nepal war that concluded in 1816 which forced Nepal to further make territorial concessions and was taken bitterly from Nepali side.  Captain Balbhadra Kunwar one of the Gurkhali heroes alongside 300 Gorkhalis left Nepal and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/from-nalapani-to-kalapani">joined the arm</a>y of King Ranjit Singj in Punjab.  The capital of Punjab- Lahore became an expedition for Nepalese from which the term <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/unityj/article/download/38822/29779/112909#:~:text=The%20term%20'Lahure'%20with%20its,have%20been%20called%20'Lahure'.">Lahure</a> emerged, which later meant Nepalese that go to work in a foreign country.  After the death of King Ranjit Singh, the Sikh Empire faced series of battle with the East India Company and as the Company Government started troubling the youngest wife of King Ranjit Singh, queen Jind Kaur managed to to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140915025142/http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2013/12/28/free-the-words/state-of-neglect/257527.html">escape Punjab</a> disguised as a servant girl and came to Nepal via Nepalgunj.  Those who accompanied her settled in area around Nepalgunj. In 1861, queen Jind Kaur <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalminute.com/detail/1024/how-guru-nanaks-nepal-ties-grew-over-the-years-photo-gallery">left Nepal</a> after living here for eleven years went to London.  Sikh may seem a community very distant from Nepal but they have been a major contributor in Nepal. They have involved in automobile sector, selling goods in department store and farming. The maoist civil war paralyzed Sikh transportation business and modern history of Sikh is a story of another day. https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/hokshe-the-kidney-village 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/1154506d-e96b-44c5-8189-9de736788622.png Hokshe: The Kidney Village Hokshe, a small mud-brick village in Kavre, an eastern district near the capital Kathmandu, would otherwise be an insignificant landmark, if not for the dark culture of kidney trade, for which it is grimly nicknamed "The Kidney Village." The impoverished villagers of Kavre, in the hopes of a “better life,” sell their kidneys to traffickers.  <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3155817/Nepalese-village-sold-kidneys-organ-traffickers-buy-house-destroyed-devastating-earthquake.html">Geeta</a>, a resident of Hokshe and a mother of four, was persuaded by the prospect of a brand new home and land for her family. She decided to sell her kidney and received a mere 200,000 NPR in return, which was roughly $1,500 USD. The surgery was quick, and she was paid promptly. Fate would have it, that shortly after, her house was demolished, during Nepal’s massive 2015 earthquake, leaving her homeless. Her sacrifice appeared to be in vain.  After becoming a victim of trafficking, victims often encourage relatives to enlist, to continue profiting from the kidney trade.  <a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/poor-nepalese-selling-their-organs-for-transplants-1520952">Kumar Budathoki</a>, who hoped to secure a better future for his family, sold his kidney for what he was told would be $5,000 USD. Unfortunately, he only received $1,000 USD. Kumar suffered serious health complications, after the surgery, forcing him to stop working.  This spiraled into a desperate situation, prompting his wife and younger brother to sell their kidney as well, further compounding their misery. In some cases, traffickers are close and trusted relatives. <a href="https://time.com/2968341/organ-trade-trafficking-nepal-kidney-removal-nephrectomy-hokshe-village/">Kenam Tamang</a> was taken to Chennai, India, by his son-in-law under the pretense of work opportunities. In a foreign country, where Keenam couldn’t comprehend the language, he found himself in a hospital. He was promised $700 and told his kidney would regenerate. Kenam was reportedly the <a href="https://medzonetv.com/story/the-kidney-village/">first person</a> from Hokshe to sell his kidney. The <a href="https://journals.lww.com/transplantjournal/fulltext/2020/09003/kidney_transplantation_in_nepal__from_its_birth_to.669.aspx#:~:text=Background%3A%20Nepal%2C%20a%20population%20of,the%20year%202013%20%26%202017%20respectively.">first kidney transplant</a> in Nepal was conducted in 2008, following legislation that was passed in 2000, allowing the procedure.  But the Hokshe village kidney trade problem dates far back to the early 1990s when brokers, by using deceptive promises, turned the village into a hub for kidney donors, performing the surgeries in India.   Kidney trade is not limited to Nepal and India; it is a widespread problem. Approximately <a href="https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pbaac456.pdf">10,000 illegal kidney transplants</a> occur each year in countries like China, Pakistan, and India.  Before 2008, Nepalese citizens seeking transplants, had to travel <a href="https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2260&context=himalaya">abroad</a>, mainly to India where the minimum cost of kidney transplants was around Rs. 1 million (about USD $12,700) while having the procedure in Nepal would <a href="https://hotc.org.np/news/amendment-of-the-current-human-organ-transplant-act-1998/">cost</a> 300,000 NPR.   The kidney plays a vital role in filtering waste products from the blood by converting them into urine. However, kidney function can be compromised due to Chronic Kidney Disease, which can be <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/">caused by</a> various factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney infections, kidney stones, and even long-term use of certain medications, such as lithium and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). <a href="http://www.kidneyfund.org/treatments/dialysis">End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)</a> means a person’s kidney can’t take care of the body, resulting in the accumulation of waste and excess fluids. As a result, they require dialysis, which can perform only 10-15% of the work that is done by a normal kidney to stay alive. Dialysis is typically performed in a dialysis center for 2-4 hours, three times a week. However, hemodialysis, a common form of dialysis, has side effects as they <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dialysis/side-effects/#:~:text=Low%20blood%20pressure%20(hypotension)%20is,your%20daily%20fluid%20intake%20recommendations.">suffer from</a> low blood pressure, sepsis (blood poisoning), muscle cramps, itchy skin, as well as insomnia, bone and joint pain, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, dry mouth, and anxiety. The patient needs to go through a strict treatment schedule, medication, and dietary changes. Therefore, finding a kidney donor becomes crucial for ESRD patients, offering the prospect of leading a normal life.  The kidney is one organ that can be <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-transplant/">donated</a> while the donor person is alive, known as a living donation. Ideally, the donation should come from relatives as they have the same tissue type and blood group, which reduces the risk of the body rejecting the organ.  Kidney donations from deceased individuals are also possible but have a slightly lower chance of long-term success. Living with only <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/solitary-kidney#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20complications%20of%20a%20solitary%20kidney%3F,-Complications%20from%20a&text=increased%20protein%20in%20the%20urine,times%20lead%20to%20kidney%20failure.">one kidney</a> leads to increased protein in the urine, reduces kidney filtration, high blood pressure, and potential complications during pregnancy. Despite these considerations, an individual with one kidney can <a href="https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/onekidney">lead a normal, healthy life</a>.  However, it’s important to note that some individuals, especially those who can afford it, may be reluctant to donate their kidneys to loved ones. Instead, they seek to find a donor in exchange for money. As a result, the kidney is perceived as a commodity that can be purchased and sold with money.  In Hokshe, more than 121 villagers out of 4,000 have resorted to selling their kidneys.  The trade as of now is on Nepal Police’s radar. There are cases where police have arrested traffickers, some of whom were doctors and elected officials.  The real problem with the kidney trade is poverty. As long as a community remains impoverished, members will seek different means to improve their lives financially.  The lack of community reach-out is perpetuating the cycle. Targeted community reach out, educating the villagers, and proper public awareness is needed to stop the cycle of kidney trafficking.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/holy-cow-of-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/c0dbe3b6-c66e-468f-985e-5d57d7e1a795.jpg Holy Cow of Nepal When Nepal became a secular republic, the political parties unilaterally agreed to keep the cow as the national animal to discourage slaughter and protect the religious symbolism.   The significance of the cow in Hinduism is an international debate with Indian scholars such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/the-cow-was-neither-unslayable-nor-sacred-in-the-vedic-period/article23593282.ece">DN Jha</a> calling it a myth, while Hindu nationalists speak of the importance of cows in Vedic literature (the earliest literature of Hinduism).  The evidence of cows being strictly prohibited from being slaughtered has far less literature than people anticipate. People have to refer to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/adi/15/14/">Brahma- Vaivatra Purana</a> which prohibits the sacrifice of cows and horses, which actually means that they were allowed to be killed in earlier epochs and therefore not a straight prohibitory argument.   Some Hindu nationalists use vegetarian literature to specifically protect cows, while any literature associated with cow sacrifice is a translation error conducted by European Scholars. Arguments given by scholars such as DN Jha are dismissed as being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.opindia.com/2021/02/dn-jha-cpi-member-ram-mandir-ayodhya-false-evidence/">communists</a>.  There is no doubt that the Hindu scripture such as Rig Veda did recognize the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-28408-4_2">importance of cows</a> but the argument that killing cows is prohibited could be challenged.   The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=acc6a9355db7ab014ea9ff04f12c16460dcb26ebd2096ba23b62d964ee509528JmltdHM9MTczMjkyNDgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=3710d672-d76c-6d21-140f-c5a1d69e6c5d&psq=Holy+Cows+and+Constitutional+Nationalism+in+Nepal&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9pc3MubmRsLmdvLmpwL2Jvb2tzL1IwMDAwMDAwMDQtSTAzMTU5MTAwNC0wMD9sb2NhbGU9ZW4&ntb=1">legal implementation</a> of banning cow slaughter started in 1805 through the royal edict of King Rana Bahadur Shah. Another major landmark is Jung Bahadur Rana the Prime Minister of Nepal’s visit to Europe in  1851, inspired by Code Napoleon, the Prime Minister dedicated an entire chapter of the newly formed Muluki Aen to protecting the cow. This was continued even by the present-day Nepali constitution. This action has had major consequences in Nepal, in 1971, Hindu-Muslim riots broke out when a Muslim was accused of killing a cow.  These incidents don’t deter people from trying to kill cows.  In 2018, 20-25 cows and oxen were carried on vehicles from Makawanpur, Gorkha, Nuwakot, and Chitwan. The claim was that the herds were taken for dairy farming and the plowing fields- their intentions were not clear. Others claimed that the cattle were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/cattle-smuggling-comes-under-close-scrutiny-in-dhading">slaughtered</a> in Dhading. The same year, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/1-arrested-for-possessing-cow-meat-in-rautahat">Sheikh Tuphael</a> was arrested with cow meat from Ishnath Municipality. Tuphael's motorcycle was stopped in a random check but he tried to flee the scene before the APF team could intercept him. The patrol team chased him down and arrested him with 10 kg of meat which he confessed was beef that he was bringing from India.  Cows and Oxen are brought from Khotang and Okhaldhungaand these are taken to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/cattle-smuggling-from-udayapur-rampant">Beltar Bazaar</a> which then gets smuggled to India; Beltar Bazaar is the biggest cattle market.  Finally, after the Uttar Pradesh’s government, a province of India, strictly enforced a ban on cow slaughter, a sharp <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/cows-from-nepalgunj-being-smuggled-into-bihar-via-the-east-west-highway/">rise</a> of stray cattle on the Nepali side of the border in Nepalgunj occurred.  The Nepali sacred cow is a fascinating subject with rich history and Hindu traditions.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/islam-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/cf36d23d-c24f-4b9c-938e-a956f151e37d.jpeg Islam in Nepal In 1857, there was a massive revolt in India against the East India Company, while the Rana oligarchs supported the Company government in war, they provide asylum to many high ranking Muslim ladies such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2019/09/24/awadh-s-begum-and-her-nawab-son-forgotten-in-kathmandu#:~:text=In%201856%2C%20the%20British%20East,among%20whom%20were%20Samim's%20ancestors.">Begum Mahal</a>. Many muslims who ran away from Company controlled area fled to Terai of Nepal and contributed in increasing the Muslim population of Terai and Nepal as a whole. Rana who were perceived as Hindu extremist had a complex relation with religious minority, Ranas started the fusion between Nepali food and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/a-taste-of-nepals-rana-past">Muslim Mughlai cuisine</a>. In fact as many Pahadi did not intend to live in plains due to feal of malarial parasites, Rana rulers encouraged Muslims to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thecho.in/files/16.-Niranjan-Ojha.pdf">settle down in the plains</a>. Rana kept Muslim in a lower strata close to lower class Hindu in the first codified law of Nepal. The condition of Muslim looked brighter after the democratic revolution in Nepal. Iqbal Iraqi became the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.asianscholarship.org/asf/ejourn/articles/Parveen.pdf">first Muslim Parliamentarian of Nepal</a> and was a core member of Rashtriya Janatantrik Praja Party. The 1959 constitution <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/1959_constitution_english.pdf">Article 5</a> discuss about professing their ancestral religion while the constitution emphasized the king is adherent to Aryan culture and Hindu religion. After the election several <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.insamer.com/nepali-muslims-and-their-struggle-for-recognition_3141.html">Muslim won parliamentary seats</a> and it promised a more inclusive country. This however could not be analyzed the minority have remained safe in Nepal. During the Congress rule the country in 1959-1960 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://d1i1jdw69xsqx0.cloudfront.net/digitalhimalaya/collections/journals/ebhr/pdf/EBHR_18_02.pdf">riot</a> broke in Mahottari in which two people died and hundreds houses were set on fire. After the coup of 1960, a new constitution of 1962 was drafted formally declaring Nepal as a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/constitution_1962.pdf">Hindu state</a> by Article 3. This was perceived as a setback by many Muslim leaders but as it was an autocratic regime they weren't vocal. In 1971, saw one of the bloodiest Hindu Muslim riot when a rumor spread that cow being killed in Rautahat district.  This rumor costed 51 lives and destroyed the property worth 6.4 million. In 1970s Anjuman Islah became the sole representative of the Nepalese Muslim. Anjuman and Mr Ahmeddin were twice nominated by the king in the parliament of Nepal known as Rastriya Panchayat. They were gradually able to improve their representation alongside reformation. In 1991, five Muslims were able to win election and former Minister of Panchayat Muhammad Moshin became <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/1999/08/18/muslim-elected-chairman-of-hindu-nepals-upper-house-of-parliament&post_id=14235">the chairperson of the upper house</a> in 1999. The constitution of Nepal planned a Muslim Commission and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/106078/NPL106078%20Npl.pdf">Muslim Commission Act 2017</a> was formalized strengthening Muslim community.The provinces created by the new constitution paved a more inclusive state specifically for Muslims who predominantly lived in plains. In 2018, Mohamed Lalbabu Raut became the first Chief Minister of Madesh Province which also brought religious controversy. In Nepal where ministers change in a couple of months and years he was one of the very few leaders who served the entire five year cycle. The growth of the right wing movement in India also has an impact in Nepal. On October 27, 2022, a Hindu conducted a procession to immerse the idol of the Hindu goddess in Bhangaha area that was passing through a Muslim-dominated area.  The Islamists objected to the procession over the flag hoisted and the Islamists started pelting the procession when police came to the spot to control the situation. Hindu Samrat Sena members even accused the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.opindia.com/2022/10/nepal-hindu-procession-attacked-by-an-islamist-mob-in-mahottari/">government favors the Muslim community</a>. They even accused that no cases were charged against the Muslims and only were charged against Hindus.  There are also Muslim rallies in Nepal that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/muslims-demand-hindu-state">support Hindu state</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://muslimmirror.com/tensions-erupt-in-kathmandu-as-thousands-rally-for-hindu-rashtra/">Hindu nationalism</a> flaring up in Nepal; the future of Islam in Nepal may be unforeseen turns- would they be seen as allies or enemies.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/kumari-of-kathmandu 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/post/cf1a866a-43d5-4edf-b07d-1f001c54182e.png Kumari of Kathmandu <a href="https://www.academia.edu/37461146/The_Cult_of_Kumari_Virgin_Worship_in_Nepal_by_Michael_Allen_1975_pdf">Kumari</a>, a young girl revered as a goddess by the Newars, the indigenous community of the Kathmandu Valley, is the subject of a sensational and controversial tradition.  When a Kumari suffers from a serious illness or any form of bleeding, she becomes disqualified to continue her duties, and a process to appoint a new goddess begins.  Shortly after, her life transforms from that of a goddess to that of a normal human, which could be a traumatic experience.   The cycle of selecting a Kumari begins with a girl who is at least two years old and is assumed to possess all 32 “perfections”. It involves a testing process, which is a peculiar tradition of turning a human into a god governed by patriarchy.  The worship of females can be traced back to the Stone Age, where the feminine figures, known as <a href="https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1044&context=ccr">Venuses</a>, may have been used for religious purposes or statues of goddesses. What is certain is that the worship of females specifically virgin worship is an <a href="https://www.thecollector.com/who-is-the-egyptian-goddess-isis-7-facts/">ancient</a> practice in <a href="http://bible-christianity.blogspot.com/2011/10/worship-of-virgin-mother.html">various cultures. </a> The Kumari-puja, involving virgin worship, dates back to at least the late Vedic period. The earliest reference can be found in the Taittiriya Aryanyaka, around the 6th-7th century BCE.  Nepali chronicles (Vamshawalis) date the tradition to at least the 6th century CE, discussing the feasting of Kumaris during the festival when the chariot carrying images of Mahadeva, a Hindu deity, is paraded in the streets.  To gain a deeper understanding of the practice of Kumari worship, we can trace its culture within Kathmandu Valley to at least 1024-40 CE, during the reign of King Lakshmikamadeva of Kathmandu.  Historical literature reveals the daughter of the Shakya caste was worshipped as Kumari, who resided in a monastery called Lakshmi-barman, located near the palace in Patan, a city within the Kathmandu Valley.  This narrative diverges from the widely known story associated with the Malla kings of either Patan or Kathmandu. According to this story, one the these kings engaged in a dice game called <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/taleju-bhawani-in-kathmandu-the-story-of-a-king-and-his-living-goddess.html">tripasa</a> with the goddess Taleju which unfortunately led to an inappropriate action. After the incident, the goddess stopped coming in her divine form and ordered the king to select a Shakya girl who would host her manifestation. The history of Taleju in Kathmandu only starts with King Hari Singh Deva of the Karnataka dynasty, who arrived in Nepal two centuries after the formal recording of the Kumari tradition in Kathmandu. The Historical literature suggests that Taleju Bhavani was originally brought from <a href="https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/intersections/the-goddess-who-went-to-nepal">South India</a> in Tuljapur, which is located in present-day Maharastra.  Throughout history, rulers have often used religion as a medium to legitimatize their authority. The Malla kings, originally hailing from South India, connected the pre-existing Kumari tradition with their lineage deity as a strategy to enhance their legitimacy.  The tradition of respecting Kumari was inherited by the last dynasty of Nepal, the Shah dynasty. This was a political statement showing the aspiration of the first king of the last dynasty as a preserver of the culture and not a colonial master. The first action taken by the Shah monarch after invading Kathmandu receive prasad from the Kumari.  At present, the head of the state via the President in the Secular Republic of Nepal continues the process of <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/president-poudel-breaks-away-with-tradition-by-forgoing-a-royal-carcade/">receiving prasad from the Kumari</a>. Presidents continue the age-old tradition of legitimizing their position.  The Kumari tradition predates the Malla era, which raises questions about whether the Kumari can be considered the lineage deity of Malla kings.  In the present day, there are <a href="https://www.bhaktapur.com/the-picturesque-life-of-a-kumari/">ten Kumaris</a>, while in 1975, Michael Allen mentioned that there were six Kumaris from the Shakya caste, another five from the Vajracharya caste, and two from the Jyapu community.  While the Shakya girl, even though belonging to the Buddhist community, is worshipped in the form of the Hindu goddess Taleju, the Vajracharya Kumari is associated with Buddhism and Tantric tradition and is revered as a Vajradevi.  There are also instances when the Kumari of Bhaktapur, on June 3, 2007, traveled to America to attend the screening of the movie “Living Goddess” at Silverdocs. During this period, she was temporarily displaced from her position but later reinstated after a cleansing ceremony was conducted.  It is evident that the international media, at times, becomes captivated by specific Kumaris, often emphasizing the political significance rather than approaching the subject from a sociological and cultural perspective.  An opportunity exists to explore the lesser-known Kumaris, who operate without the same restrictions and may face the risk of fading and ceasing to exist in the near future.  Studying these lesser-known Kumaris can reveal the authentic narratives of Nepal’s living goddesses, who aren’t embroiled in controversies related to child rights violations. They lead relatively normal lives but remain revered by devotees, embodying a different aspect of this tradition.    https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepal-community-forest 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/db52e741-dec3-408c-a455-2366809f7390.jpeg Part I: Nepal’s Community Forest Nepal as a country has survived due to its natural fortification of mountains and even more through the malaria-infected forest in the south. After the<a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/rebuilding-kathmandu-after-the-1934-quake"> 1934 earthquake</a>, there was the emergence of rampant smuggling of timber as a result forest was destroyed, however, the forest in the Terai would remain protected by Malaria. The story of malarial-infected plains changed in 1954 when United States aid helped in<a href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-tigers-of-nepal-are-flourishing-again"> eliminating malaria</a> allowing settlers from around the region to cut down the forest and develop human settlement.  Nepal rapidly lost forest both for its timber and clearing forest patches to repurpose that land for commercial usage. However, Nepal is rather known today for its regeneration of forests and is renowned for its community forest.The story of Community Forest started in 1962 when<a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/thokarpa-declared-origin-community-forestry"> Nil Prasad Bhandari</a> was elected as Pradhanpacha (the chairperson of the village) and worked on various ideas to protect the forest.  On March 11, 1973, Bhandari organized a meeting that decided that the village would hold the responsibility for the management of the forest and help it regenerate trees for 10 years. The government would need to get villagers' permission before numbering and cutting down trees.  The decision was forwarded to the then-District Forest Officer of Sindhupalchowk Tej Bahadur Singh Mahat and the Ministry of Forest. The village received the authority to manage the forest for a trial period of two years on August 9, 1973.On October 28, 1973, a meeting of Village Panchayat formed a 103-member forest conservation promotion and development committee in the presence of Jogmehar Shrestha, the Forest Minister. In that effort, villagers planted tree saplings on the barren hills of Thokarpa during March and April 1974 after the government handed over the forest. The entire plan was successful and the forest was later named Ratuwapati Bajathalo Community Forest. The government declared August 9 as National Day for<a href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-3/2020/11/18/community-forest-research-centre-to-mark-birthplace-of-conservation-movement"> Community Forest</a>. The government declared Thokarpa as the birthplace of community forest in 2016 and recognized the contribution of Nil Prasad Bhandari in the area of Community Forest. There are now 22,200 community forest groups across the country around 14 million members. The concept of Community Forestry had Australian support since 1966 which was later named as<a href="https://www.aciar.gov.au/media-search/blogs/nepal-australia-forestry-partnership"> Nepal-Australia Forestry Project (NAFP)</a>. This has been described as Australia’s longest-running aid investment. The Forest Law 1993 of Nepal is considered one of the strongest forest legislation to devolve power to local communities. The same spirit continues with the Forest Act 2019.By 2017, 1.8 million hectares of forest in Nepal were handed over to 19,361 Community Forest User Groups creating direct engagement of 45% of the population in Nepal. In a country where forest covers 45% of land area and has 500 commercially tradable products with 150 species already in trade. This will be discussed in the second part of the paper.However, only a fraction of community forests are under active management. Nepal spends billions to import timber because domestic forests are under-utilized. Forest law is undermined by rules, rules by working procedures, working procedures by written notices, and written notices by oral instructions- creating multi-layer chaos.The final post will discuss the shortcomings of the community forest.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepal-the-paradise-of-birds 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/33e77c22-88d4-44e1-a060-544cb0d4ce19.jpeg Nepal the Paradise of Birds  Nepal, a country with a diverse ecology and rigid terrain makes a perfect home for a variety of species of birds and a paradise for bird watchers. Nepal hosts both local species and migratory birds as far as Mongolia, the southern part of Russia, Siberia, and Central Asia. As the migratory birds make their annual journey, Nepal becomes a suitable ground to conduct censuses; the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-3/2023/01/17/number-of-migratory-aquatic-birds-decreasing-in-chitwan">bird census</a> started in 1987 and is regularly conducted between January 1 and January 15. Some towns and villages' names are linked with birds and can tell historical stories. In ancient times, Bajura was ruled by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/entertainment/nature-walk-forgotten-land-of-bajura">Jumla State</a> and the king demanded the locals of Bajura bring him a male eagle. Unfortunately, the people were able to trap a female eagle (Jhurra Baaz). This female bird was presented to the king. Hence, it was named ‘Bazurra Kot’ (kot meaning fort) that later became Bajura.  Bajura is a steep mountainous district known as the poorest district of Nepal inhabited predominantly by historically untouchable castes; the stories of birds continue to link with poorer marginalized groups. . Moving towards the warm planes of Terai, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2022/06/04/no-escape-from-poverty-for-marginalised-chidimars">Chidimar Community</a> (Chidi means bird and mar means killer) a poor untouchable caste traditionally made a living by hunting birds. However, their traditional profession has disappeared, but the community continues to struggle as they haven’t found other income-generating activities.  Birds can give a wide range of stories, and bird watching has also made a remarkable contribution to improving tourism. In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/in-pics-captivating-rara/">2019</a>, 500-1000 tourists visited Rara daily. Rara is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/rara-in-the-rainy-season/">home to 270 species of birds out of 876 bird species</a> found in Nepal. Birds also add value to religious sentiments, not just in ways as perceived in the West. Birds are commonly <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/pigeon-sacrifice-banned-baglung-kalika-temple">sacrificed</a> in temples- even pigeons!  In Baglung Kalika Temple, pigeons alongside other birds and animals were sacrificed by devotees. Temple Management Committee argued that pigeons are the symbol of peace and therefore should not be sacrificed and since 2016 they have prohibited filling of pigeons in the temple premises.  Bird killing can also be linked with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/gandaki-province/2022/09/10/nepali-hunters-can-now-shoot-wild-boars-in-dhorpatan">hunting</a> sport. Nepal has only one hunting reserve- the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve where people can legally hunt birds. The hunting reserve is home to 130 bird species as a result there are many options for hunters to shoot birds for pleasure.  The killing of birds would surely outrage animal rights activists but still Nepal remains a country that conservationists can also appreciate.  One of the major destinations for bird watchers is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/koshi-tappu-a-boon-for-locals">Koshi Tapu</a>. This is the first Ramsar site in Nepal, designated in 1976.  Koshi Tapu is home to critically endangered grassland birds and wetland migratory birds.  In total, there are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepallake.gov.np/ramsar-sites/">10 Ramsar sites</a> in Nepal, which are scattered in various ecological regions in Nepal allowing diverse birds to be protected.  The lesser-known Ghodaghodi wetland, a Ramsar site gained prominence on 11 March 2022, as Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province Trilochana Bhatta declared it to be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2022/03/19/ghodaghodi-wetland-area-declared-country-s-first-bird-sanctuary">Nepal’s first bird sanctuary</a> to protect birds that are globally and nationally threatened.  The sanctuary houses 12 globally threatened bird species and popularizing this as a bird sanctuary has helped to spread awareness and bring tourism.  The effort of Sudur Paschim Province was quickly followed by Lumbini Province which declared its Jagadishpur Lake as the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2022/07/12/efforts-underway-to-declare-jagadishpur-lake-as-country-s-second-bird-sanctuary"> second bird sanctuary in Nepal</a>.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/jagadishpur-reservoir-turning-centre-attraction-birdwatchers">Jagadish Lake, a manmade Reservoir</a> was fed water from a canal from the Banganga River; this also reveals how a human-made structure can contribute to improving and preserving biodiversity.  In total 22,491 water birds were counted in Jagadishpur which had 167 species of birds (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2020/11/24/jagadishpur-lake-welcomes-thousands-of-migratory-birds">such as</a> grebes, cormorants, herons, egrets, storks, ducks, geese, terns, and gulls), including 8 rare bird species. The provincial government is also working to improve eco-tourism in Jagadishpur lake There are stories of rare birds being sighted in various places such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/426307.html:">three rare birds</a> (white-rumped vulture, Asian wooly neck stork, and steppe) were spotted in Ludi Damgadhe Community Forest, Gorkha Municipality-8 which is home to around 99 species of birds. Similarly, on 29 August 2021, a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/21/210708/">new species of bird</a>- a European Roller bird was found at an altitude of 3,781 m. in Kekighang, Lomanthang Rural Municipality-5.  Ornithologist Devendra Kharel spotted a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/green-pigeon-spotted-in-jhapa">green pigeon</a> in Mechinagar municipality, the bird is known as the Green Imperial Pigeon (Dukula Ania).   Some governmental policies, like banning an anti-inflammatory drug called diclofenac, have contributed to the flourishing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/vulture-population-rise-kanchanpur.html">vulture population</a> from 10 to 200 in Kanchanpur.  So many stories could show both a grim picture of some bird species disappearing in Nepal and simultaneously a beautiful picture of bird populations flourishing in the country. Birds give amazing footage to cinematographers and a possible topic for a documentary.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepalaya-productions-behind-the-scenes 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/0f636d1a-82fa-4369-9181-713f1b011a12.jpeg Nepa~laya Productions “Behind the Scenes” Nepa~laya Productions was born out of a tale of two high school friends in passing.  Dana Moyal Kolevzon and Kiran Krishna Shrestha.  Kiran and his former colleagues at Kantipur Media Group, and Young Asia Television, first founded a company by the name of Event Nepalaya, they partnered with renowned singer Amrit Gurung of Nepal’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepathya.com.np/">Nepathya</a> Folklore band. One of Nepal’s most famous music bands.  With Kiran’s background in Young Asia Television, and Dana’s background in foreign TV Production, the two established Nepa~laya Productions. The idea came about following the repeated need to have local support for foreign productions filming in Nepal.  Nepa~laya Productions, one of the earliest local film production companies in Nepal, assists a wide range of clients from across the globe. The advantage is its offices in Kathmandu and New York City in the U.S.  The Event Nepalaya team continues to focus on concerts and periodically produces local documentaries screened in International film festivals.  Arpan Sharma, a member of Nepa~laya Productions, is our executive producer. Arpan recalled his very first project in Kathmandu assisting in a foreign sitcom filmed in Kathmandu and surrounding areas. At the time traffic was so light, that Nepa~laya Production staff were able to stop traffic and divert drivers so filming could take place quietly. A task that would be unimaginable in present-day Kathmandu.  Our returning client <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bnnvara.nl/">BNN -VARA</a> of the Netherlands, chose to film one of their many “Op Reiss” episodes in Nepal, in a challenging terrain. A portion of the shoot was in the Karnali Zone, an extremely remote region in the Himalayas, where foreign crew never step foot. The area lacked proper bathrooms and showers, and conditions were not ideal even though Nepa~laya Productions organized a 5-star camping company to take care of all sleeping and meals. Conditions forced us to work quickly and complete the shoot in a shorter time than initially anticipated.  “Miss Adventures” Travelogue from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mediacorp.sg/">Media Corps Singapore</a>, focused their shoot in the Annapurna base region, our team faced technical challenges due to low nighttime temperatures. Equipment batteries failed to charge properly, so our team kept the batteries inside their jackets, the body heat did the trick and soon enough all batteries would fully charge for the next day's shoot.  Nepa~laya Productions was lucky to work on a wonderful shoot for a New Zealand outerwear company called “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.kathmanduoutdoor.com/mens/jackets-and-vests.html">Kathmandu Outerwear”</a>. Their team was in search of snow in the Himalayas in a time when snow is not always present on the ground. We decided to mobilize and get the crew and models to a higher altitude where we knew there was snow. Langtang, Nepal. During the beautiful picturesque film shoot, a team member slipped on ice and as a result suffered a fracture. Quick on our feet, Nepa~laya Productions chartered a chopper back to Kathmandu for immediate medical care.  These are only a few of the challenges fixers face shooting in rural and remote areas of Nepal.  During our History Channel shoot of “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.history.com/specials/most-extreme-airports">Extreme Airports</a>” in Lukla Airport, (ranked as the top 5 most dangerous airports in the world), we brought the airport to a complete halt, following the request of production to obtain a perfect shot.  This was all so our client could get the right shot of choppers and planes coming in and out of the airport. We also requested pilots to fly away multiple times and land for us. During the shoot, our team visited the location of a recent crash. Executive Producer Arpan Sharma had sadly found a victim’s wristwatch that had stopped right at the time of the fatal accident.  Our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://globoplay.globo.com/tv-globo/ao-vivo/6120663/">TV Globo</a> “Honey Hunters” shoot for “Planeta Extremo” Brazil, was perhaps the most memorable one to date. As the team was driving to film a week-long shoot in a remote village of Honey Hunters, Nepal suffered one of its worst tragedies, the 2015 earthquake. Boulders almost hit the van traveling on the road risking the lives of the Brazilian and Nepali crew members. By the next day, the Brazilian team was repurposed to become the only foreign news coverage team on the ground in Nepal.  After a while, the team returned to the original purpose of their trip to Nepal and went on with the Honey Hunters filming, winning awards for their outstanding original coverage of the ancient tradition. Being a fixer in Nepal requires quick thinking and fast problem-solving. Not to mention good connections. Filming in this beautiful Himalayan region requires permitting in most areas,  especially in temples, national parks, and public areas. There are limitations with film permits and this requires deep knowledge of the bureaucratic process. We have an assigned member who knows the government offices inside out and navigates the system easily.  Once Nepa~laya Productions takes on a project we become our clients ‘devotees, working non-stop to meet their demands. A smooth shoot is a happy shoot. Good vibes all around is always the goal.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepali-dolphin-yes-they-exist 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/a728a82a-4a8b-4272-bea4-0696c304112a.jpg Nepali Dolphin - yes they exist! Dolphins of course are associated with oceans, therefore this playful mammal would not be associated with Nepal, a landlocked country.  However, there are dolphin species that have evolved to survive in freshwater and are found in Nepal. Around, 550,000 Ganges and<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyijnbbJsOM"> Indus river dolphins</a> diverged and became a distinct species in Nepal.  In Hinduism, some interpret the Makara, the vehicle of Varun, as a dolphin and not a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-crocodile-makara-and-gohi">crocodile</a>. In India, it had been called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/puputaka-of-the-ganges-how-dolphins-swam-through-history/articleshow/78624341.cms">Ganga Paputaka</a> by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?19110/Swimming-blindly-down-the-Ganges">Emperor Ashok</a> in the 3rd century BCE and was prohibited from being hunted or killed.  The Malaha community in Nepal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dnpwc.gov.np/media/publication/Dolphin_Conservation_Action_Plan.pdf">worships dolphins</a> as the protector of their ancestor.  Dolphins are called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dnpwc.gov.np/en/species-detail/57/">susu</a> in South Asia based on the sound they produce. In Nepal, dolphins come during the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/29791">monsoon</a> season to raise their young and return down south to the deeper lower coastal waters.  Nepal has a small population of dolphins which generally live outside the protected areas.  In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/freshwater-dolphin-comeback-in-nepal">2016</a>, there were 43 dolphins in the Karnali River and only nine in the Koshi River. In 2022,  52 river dolphins were sighted in three river networks in Nepal.  In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/worlds-rarest-freshwater-dolphin-spotted-in-budhi-rapti-river">2024</a>, Dolphins were sighted in the Rapti River, which was the first time in nearly 50 years.  As always, development threatens the Nepali dolphin’s existence. Dams block dolphins ability to swim upstream and Nepal’s fascination with hydropower continues to pose a threat to protecting the dolphin's habitat.  Dolphins hunt in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dnpwc.gov.np/media/publication/Dolphin_Conservation_Action_Plan.pdf">murky water</a>. Water pollution is a key factor that has put the population at risk. As they live in murky water they are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/ganges-river-dolphin">essentially blind</a> and hunt fish and crustaceans by emitting ultrasonic sound.  Dolphin-watching tourism can encourage communities to be conscious about life choices such as the use and disposal of fishing nets, and motor boats that produce noise and startle dolphins, depleting the population.  There are around 3,500 Ganges River Dolphins and they are classified as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rarest.org/animals/rarest-dolphins-in-the-world">endangered</a>.  The Baiji dolphin species is becoming extinct. The Indus River Dolphin is even rarer than the Ganges River Dolphin, as a result, it attracts even more attention.  Dolphins are beautiful, gracious, and playful creatures. Following the species in a landlocked country would make for a fascinating documentary.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepali-farmers-and-climate-change 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/7f6172a0-485f-43cb-9a2f-56873cf7e888.jpeg Nepali Farmers and Climate Change Climate change is transforming the world.  In the Nepalese mountainous areas such as <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/climate-change-impact-on-nepal-s-central-himalayas-a-scientific-outlook/">Mustang</a>, global warming has already caused a decrease in grassland and forest and increased barren land, the treelines have shifted towards a higher elevation.  Global warming is threatening the composition and leading to the extinction of species. Extreme temperatures have caused fire and loss of habitat of various species destroying biodiversity.   There is also a direct impact on humans and it has threatened food security. Nepal is a country with 70% of <a href="https://www.fao.org/3/cb8001en/cb8001en.pdf">households directly and indirectly involved in farming</a> but that only contributes to 27% of the Gross Domestic Product of the country.  <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/man-arrested-with-gun-explosives-in-taplejung">Apples</a> in Nepal are produced 2,500 meters from sea level, cold weather and snow add quality and taste to the apples grown.  Apples have been a popular fruit crop in western Nepal, out of which <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/apple-farming-karnali-poverty.html">Karnali</a>, the poorest province of Nepal, produces 41.2% of them.  This has been slowly changing due to global warming. <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/04/21/apple-farmers-in-manang-grow-new-varieties-at-higher-altitudes">Apple Farmers</a> in Manang are moving north to higher elevations to grow a new variety of fruit to benefit from the temperatures.  In Mustang, apples are grown at approximately 3,000 meters and now have gone even higher in elevation.  Apples have a huge domestic market as the fruit doesn’t sell it can be used to make apple juice, wine, and candy.  In Eastern Nepal, Dhankuta was once synonymous with orange production but due to climate change orange growth has depleted. Pakhribash Agriculture Center (PAC), a British-run project <a href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/10/219411/">introduced avocados to Dhankuta in 1972</a> and at present the economy has been transformed by <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/dhankuta-farmers-falling-in-love-with-avocado/">farming Avocados</a>.  Due to climate change, rainfall has also been erratic, leading to flash floods and elongated droughts.   ICIMOD’s <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/nation/Recharging-the-mountains,3465">Himalayan Climate Change and Adaptation Programme</a> focused on collecting monsoon water, using wastewater to irrigate vegetable fields, and digging ponds to recharge groundwater and revive springs. There is also incorporation of <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/amp/the-israeli-model-of-agriculture-lessons-for-nepal/news.html.twig">drip irrigation</a> to grow vegetables without wasting even a single drop, boosting productivity, and irrigating fields with limited water, which is very cost-effective. Drip irrigation was first introduced by Israel to Nepal.  Farmers combating climate change is based on international collaboration. The World Bank has financed the Food and Nutrition Security Enhancement Project (FANSEP) in various districts of Nepal where they have worked to enhance climate resilience and improve agricultural productivity and nutrition practices.  In another case, Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE) a UN Women program in collaboration with FAO, WFP, and IFAD has helped women farmers build climate-sensitive techniques (plastic tunnel farming), and organic fertilizer to grow surplus to sell in the market. One of the most important ways of managing Climate change is using the natural method of capturing greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide by increasing forest area.  Nepal is a country with outstanding climate change cases. From 1992 to 2016 Nepal grew its<a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/in-nepal-out-migration-is-helping-fuel-a-forest-resurgence"> forest coverage</a> from 26% to 45%  Stay tuned for our next three-part series on community forests.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepali-rice-baht 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/1bb27915-f13d-420c-8d0f-1da2cfca1b7e.jpeg Nepali Rice - Baht. Nepal is a country with a rich diverse narrative and has many incredible stories; one of which is its staple food; rice.  One of the major cities of Nepal is Bhaktapur, and it is believed to have derived from the term Bhadgaun which means village of rice.  In Newari the native language of Bhagaun, the place is actually called Khowpa.  Khowpa is derived from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://tewa.org.np/publications/244Bhaktapur%20The%20Historical%20City.pdf">Khopring</a>, and is assumed to be a Kirati term; Kho means rice and Pring means village. Another district <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dccokhaldhunga.gov.np/ne-brief-introduction/">Okhaldhunga</a> is believed to be part of a historic kingdom where the Mahabharat era’s hero Bhim had used a stone (dhunga) that was like a mortar (okhal) and beat the rice to remove its husk and ate it- thats how the name Okhaldhunga came about.  These tales clarify for us the significance of rice in the socio-cultural context. Uncooked rice is used for worshiping and is called Akchyata. (which is a Nepali female name).  Similarly, the first food-eaten in a traditional ceremony for babies is called a ‘rice feeding ceremony’.  There are also rice harvest festivals conducted by the Newar community known as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.discoveryworldtrekking.com/blog/yomari-punhi-festival-in-Nepal">Yomari Punhi</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udhauli">Udhauli</a> by the Kirati community. Rice is also used in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/woman-dies-in-exorcism-bid">exorcism</a> and other ritualistic practices.  Rice is typically grown in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://environment.co/how-and-where-does-rice-grow/">hot and humid </a>climates. Therefore growing rice in Nepal is indeed unique. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022001736">Jumli Marsi Rice</a> is grown in high altitude in Nepal and is even considered suitable for diabetics, since it has many other minerals making the rice a high-value commodity.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/jumla-s-organic-agri-products-being-exported-to-canada/">Karnali is considered a food insecure region</a>- this is misleading as Karnali food shortage is actually a rice shortage. The rice was only considered as grain.- however, the Jumli Marsi Rice of Karnali is much more expensive than other variants of rice.The Marsi rice is tolerant to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.fao.org/mountain-partnership/map-labelled/map-details/en/c/1609262/">cold Himalayan climate</a> and is revered as the holy food by the locals.  This rice can also boost <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/AJN/article/view/7519">agro-tourism</a> and change the economics of the poorer part of Nepal.  Rice has a socio-economic impact. When international rice exports started to be documented, Nepal was one of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWr1bLF64Es">largest rice exporters</a> but by 1985 it stopped being a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/editorial/nepals-rice-economy">net rice exporter</a> and became a net importer of rice.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/rice/reporter/npl">Nepal exports ric</a>e to Canada, the United States, Italy, and other western countries while it suffers a large net deficit, and buys its rice from India.  One of the reasons why rice imports have increased is because the working-age youth from Nepal have migrated to the Gulf states and other countries, as a result they send <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2023/08/06/let-them-eat-rice">remittances</a> from which their families then purchase cheaper Indian rice.  As Nepal continues to depend on rain-fed agriculture, climate change has added hinderances.  In Panchayat, the government started airlifting rice to Karnali to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/food/2019/01/18/how-rice-became-a-staple-in-the-hills-and-mountains-and-why-thats-unsustainable">counter food insecurities</a>, while the government called it food insecurity it was rice insecurity. As a result this only aggravated the situation.  There is also speculation that Nepali rice is actually going into the beer production industry making <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bhaktapur.com/discover/thwon-jaad/">rice beer</a> very popular. There are also cases of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/plastic-rice-reportedly-found-in-parbat/">plastic rice</a> produced in Chitwan which stirred controversy.  Rice is a staple food in Asia and in Nepal there are different angles we can explore to make it a riveting story.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepali-tea-chia 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/067980d0-1017-4b9e-9707-5c7eeec3e976.jpg Nepali Tea - Chia An old legend suggests that one day <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tea.co.uk/history-of-tea">tea leaves fell into boiling hot water</a> while the water was about to be served to a Chinese Emperor. The Emperor decided to drink the mix of hot water and leaves, which then became drinking ’tea’.  By 1606, tea was being shipped from China to Holland and the rest of Europe.  Nepal which borders China did not develop a taste for tea for quite some time.  Even in the 1960s it was revealed that Indians who migrated to Kathmandu found tea a rare commodity in Nepal.  The history of tea in Nepal is not linked to British interference in South Asia but to the neighborly relationship between Nepal and the Chinese Emperor.  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2020/09/23/nepal-s-orthodox-tea-gets-its-own-trademark">first tea seeds</a> came as a gift from the Chinese Emperor to Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana of Nepal.This led to the creation of the Ilam Tea Estate in 1863.  It took more than a century to establish a second tea State; Soktim Tea Estate in Jhapa. This very much reveals that Nepalis originally were not much into tea.  However, as roads started connecting various parts of Nepal, it slowly started emerging as a tea drinking country.  In Nepal, there are 28,700 hectares of land that produce 6,097 tonnes of tea in the hills as well as 19,108 tonnes of crush-tar-curl (CTC) tea (which is strong and bright) in the lowland of Terai.  Traditionally, due to a lack of government support; Nepali farmers sold tea below the market value and this tea was rebranded as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepaliteatraders.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorbpTa0jHBoYdDsuTEWZn6OfvoTyUIm4JpujTxrper2mJpHxeKc">premium Darjeeling tea</a>, a Hilly region of India that has deep historical relations with Nepal. In September 2020, Nepal got its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2020/09/23/nepal-s-orthodox-tea-gets-its-own-trademark">trademark</a> for tea. Nepal needed 157 years to get the trademark since the first tea plantation was established in Nepal.   The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development distributed trademark certificates based on Nepal Orthodox Tea Certification Trademark Directive 2018 to 12 tea factories and cooperatives in Fikkal, Ilam. Trademarks protect the loss of reputation and increase its value.  Nepali Orthodox tea is gaining popularity for its quality, aroma, taste, and aftertaste. 42 factories had applied for trademarks but only 12 qualified and out of these twelve 9 are in Ilam.   There has been a fall in the export of Nepali tea because of the rise in domestic consumption. Nepal has also started participating in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/tea-of-ilam-sold-at-rs-10-000-through-auction/">tea auctions</a>. The National Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB) conducted a tasting ceremony in April 2023 and sold its tea in an auction. An American bought five kg of orthodox tea for Rs. 50,000 at auction, this was a large sum for Nepali farmers, who weren’t paid fairly.  Tea has also been helping Nepal in its overall development, there is also a potential for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/eastern-nepal-needs-tea-tourism.html">tea tourism</a>. This form of tourism connects all senses; with serene views, the fresh smell of tea gardens, and the cool breeze of Illam which connects with the taste of world-famous tea.  Kanyam Tea Garden is the most visited tea garden in Nepal. As it gives a panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the breathtaking landscape of Kanyam. Visitors enjoy hiking, and horseback riding with the stunning views of Mount Kanchenjunga.  Tea tourism is a culture in itself. It combines hiking, tea tasting, sightseeing, tea leaf picking, tea shopping, and nature all in one experience.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepali-wool 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/c6209667-1819-467b-ac12-34dc4921378c.jpeg Nepali Wool The use of wool has a long history in Nepal. The early 1800’s and the Anglo-Nepal war that shaped Nepal’s current geography, was heavily influenced by trade dynamics and has even been nicknamed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/nation/The-Pashmina-War,1024">The Pashmina War</a>.  The East India Company’s aggression towards Nepal may have been directed by an agenda to access routes to Tibet where shahtoosh wool was produced from the Chiru Antelope.  Nepal itself has a long history connected to wool production and trade. In the 4th century BCE literature, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://customs.gov.np/storage/History%20of%20Nepal%20Customs%20English%20Final%20printed_2020-03-11-20-40-18.pdf">Kautilya Arthashastra</a> speaks about woolen blankets that are exported from Nepal to India.  The R<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/new-roads-impact-tourism-and-trekking-business">ulers of Mustang</a> would bring gifts such as wool carpets and blankets to rulers of Kathmandu and ask to be paid to fund new projects. After Nepal opened its borders to the world, the dynamics changed, and Nepal started to become more of a wool carpet exporter.  Nepal is the 15th largest importer of wool in the world, which allows Nepal to import cheap raw materials and produce high-value <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalcarpet.org.np/">Nepalese hand-knotted carpets</a>. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepaleconomicforum.org/revisiting-nepals-top-exports-gaps-and-opportunities/">Carpet, </a>alone makes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2023/07/08/nepali-carpet-exports-make-strongest-rebound-ever">65% of Nepal’s total exports</a>.  The carpet industry provides <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalcarpet.org.np/">10% of job opportunities</a> to communities that live under the poverty line.  Nepal even sells carpets to China. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2020/10/04/as-border-with-china-is-closed-nepali-carpets-in-taplejung-find-no-market">Olangchung Gola</a>, a very small bordering area between Nepal and China, has 52 local houses and 37 carpet-weaving machines, revealing that carpets are the most popular commodity in Nepal.  Carpet weaving is an ancestral profession, and is a craft that is passed on from generation to generation. Men usually tend to yaks, and mountain cows and do household chores while women do household chores and produce traditional carpets. It normally takes 12 days to weave a carpet.  The thread used in carpet weaving is brought from China while the chemicals used to color the yarn are imported from Darjeeling India. Chinese consumers prefer Nepali carpets as they are comparatively cheap, long-lasting, and warm. They produce various designs from monochromatic to multi-colored ones that are popular in China. There are also rich stories such as Jan-Kath the European carpet dealers who own stores in  Boudha in Kathmandu, an example of lucrative thriving businesses in the capital of Nepal.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepals-paragliding-industry 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/89f09634-e55f-4de6-9a45-17d271d9f5e8.jpg Nepal’s Paragliding Industry Paragliding is a perfect activity in Nepal. British Pilot Adam Charles Hill who first came to Nepal as a trekker, realized the possibility of paragliding in the perfect terrain of Nepal. Adam Charles Hill and his Nepali partner Biru Bomjan started Nepal’s first paragliding company “Sunrise Paragliding Company” in 1996.Until 2007 there were only 4 paragliding companies operating n Nepal, but after the civil war ended, Nepal slowly stabilized, and between 2012 by 2021 there were 69 registered companies which had 356 para-pilots out of which 342 were Nepalis. In the 18th Asian Games held in Indonesia in 2018, Nepal won a silver medal in paragliding. It was included for the first time as a competing sport in 2018.  The team consisted of Bijay Gautam, Bimal Adhikari, Sushil Gurung, Ukesh Gurung, and Bimal Thapa. Only falling 27 points behind Japan which had finished with 11,391 points while Nepal had 11,364 points, the host Indonesia won a bronze medal with 10,873 points. Between November 1-4, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/paragliding-world-cup-to-be-held-in-november-in-nepal">2018 Paragliding World Cup</a> was organized in Bhirkot Municipality-5 by Babu Adventure Club and Nepal Air Sports Association.The championship publicized the possibility of air sports in the country at the international level and would introduce the Aandhikhola Valley aviation zone.  Babu Adventure has a paragliding school in Swarek Maidan, Bhirkot Municipality-5. In 2023, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/princess-of-qatar-takes-paragliding-training-in-syangja/">Princess Asma Al Thani</a> of Qatar took paragliding training at Babu Adventure Internation School in Bhirkot. She completed a week of basic pilot training in paragliding.There are growing paragliding opportunities after government-authorized locations in Pokhara, Dharan, Syangja, Tanahu, Bandipur, Palpa, Kathmandu, Surkhet, and Lalitpur for paragliding. Chitwan which is generally assumed to be a flat terrain in Nepal and is a popular tourist destination Natural World Heritage Site also has a growing paragliding industry. On <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/chitwan-nepal-paragliding-destination.html">April 14, 2023</a>, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAN) permitted <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/for-e-paper-paragliding-begins-in-chitwan/">Himalaya Frontiers Paragliding Company</a> for Commercial paragliding flights from Chowki Danda (altitude 1100 m. above sea level) and Kalibas (altitude 580 m. above sea level), Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 as a recreational activity in Chitwan.  The “Landing zone” is Trishuli River, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/commercial-paragliding-launched-in-chitwan/?categoryId=81">Devghat Rural Municipality-5</a>, Tanahun. The company has permission to keep up to 10 pilots in Chitwan. The company is also preparing to run a motorboat in Narayani and an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) on mountainous roads. The company invested Rs. 700 million in developing Chitwan as a paragliding destination and Chitwan can be the next most favored destination for paragliding. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/commercial-paragliding-chitwan.html">flight rate</a> has been fixed at Rs. 8,000 but for the promotional offer, it only charges Rs. 6,000. 45 people can fly daily.  It is a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/pm-inaugurates-paragliding-in-chitwan-says-it-boosts-tourism/">20-30 minute flight</a> and paragliders can go up to 5000 feet.   Nepal still has a fair share of paragliding accidents. On March 3, 2019, a Romanian national Ebe Chisjer (40 yrs old) lost his life in a paragliding accident after he <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalisansar.com/tourism/solo-paragliding-in-pokhara-takes-halt-sindhupalchok-emerging/">crashed</a> into Phewa Lake in Pokhara. On March 4, 2019, two pilots suffered injuries in an accident in Machhapuchre Rural Municipality and Modi Rural Municipality. On March 5, 2019, Russian national Dmitril Stepanishin died on a solo flight in Pokhara making the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) stop solo paragliding in Sarangkot Hill, Pokhara. Nepal has a great advantage in the paragliding sector, however, the government needs to do a lot of work to make these sports mainstream and advertise adventures in Nepal through international vloggers and filmmakers. This will produce visual content that will bring wide-stream attention to Nepal.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/nepals-stolen-artifacts 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/post/6bf0b24a-9c2b-4d9f-913f-e273a5fce4e5.png Nepal’s Stolen Artifacts In South Asia, the punishment for theft was subject to caste as defined by <a href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/manusmriti-with-the-commentary-of-medhatithi/d/doc202054.html">Manusmriti</a>. Much of the Indo-Aryan literature became the foundation of the Nepalese legal system.  The major historical law manual in Nepal is <a href="https://www.lawcommission.gov.np/en/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/nyayavikasini-manavanayashastra-of-jayasthiti-malla.pdf">Manav Nyaya Shastra</a> codified by King Jayasthiti Malla of Nepal. As per Manav Nyaya Shastra, the theft of gold, and gems, belonging to the god Brahman, and the king, was considered a severe crime.  The punishment for stealing gold, silver, and similar valuable items, would be death. Nepal’s interaction with the Western world in the 1950s created a high demand for exotic Nepali artifacts.  The <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/who-looted-nepals-gods">first historical evidence</a> of a religious object stolen from Nepal was recorded in 1765, when the Narayan statue disappeared from the Bhagwati temple in Hanuman Dhoka Palace, in Kathmandu valley.  The earliest pieces of evidence of people trying to sell statues to the West can be found in An Account of The Kingdom of Nepal. The King of Kathmandu, Jay Prakash Malla had excavated an underground vault when several exclusive small figures were stolen by his workers. One of those workers, offered <a href="https://madheshmovement.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/an-account-ofthe-kingdom-of-nepal.pdf">Father Giuseppe</a> to purchase a stolen figure. During the early Shah period, the Shah rulers were known to be extremely wary of European Colonialism, and as a result, they maintained limited contact with Europeans which continued until the mid-20th century. After the <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Arts/Hunting-for-Nepal-s-stolen-idols">1950s</a>, Nepal started opening up to foreigners, and artifact thefts by foreigners became prevalent. In 1956, Nepal commenced the <a href="https://nepaltradeportal.gov.np/resources/docs/ancient-monument-preservation-act-2013-1956.pdf">Ancient Monument Preservation Act 2013</a>.  The Act declared that stealing any ancient artifact would result in severe fines and imprisonment, but this didn’t deter smugglers. And by the 1980s over 500 idols were stolen.  The Local Administration Act of 1971 handed legal responsibility of conducting inventory and promoting local heritage and culture to local governments and Chief District Officers.  Similarly, the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibition and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property was <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/who-looted-nepals-gods">ratified</a> by Nepal in 1976. The Convention paved the way for the recovery of stolen or illegally exported cultural property that was transferred from Nepal.  In the 1980s and 90s, Lain Singh Bangdel and German citizen Jurgen Schick photographed idols and documented the deities, which helped provide proof when retrieving the stolen artifacts around the world. In 1994, many idols were <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/some-historic-idols-stolen-from-nepal-have-returned-home-challenges-galore-have-stopped-others.html">returned</a> to Nepal by the US and were kept in Nepal’s National Museum in Chhauni. Similarly, in 1999 the German government returned a 12th century-old Uma Maheshwor stolen from Dhulikhel, and in 2002 Austria returned the statue of Dipankar Buddha.  There has also been the <a href="https://nepalheritagerecoverycampaign.org/about-nhrc/">Nepal Heritage Recovery Campaign</a> to retrieve the stolen artifacts. This has spread awareness to bring the heritage pieces back to Nepal.  In total 96 precious artifacts were repatriated to Nepal after decades by June 2023.   The final question remains how did the statues get stolen from Nepal, and if there were high-level connections in this crime?   Alsdorf Galleries was opened by the Art Institute of Chicago. It displayed a Taleju necklace in its galleries, but then a Nepali academic spotted it, and an effort grew to retrieve it. The Art Institute sought to find a connection between the Nepali <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/03/21/nepal-wants-a-sacred-necklace-returned-but-the-art-institute-of-chicago-still-keeps-it-on-display/">royal family's involvement</a> to continue holding the piece of jewelry.  By 1970, the Panchayat government ordered <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/how-nepali-antiquities-got-to-chicago-museum">the necklace</a> to be moved to the Hanuman Dhoka Museum and have it guarded by the Royal Nepal Army, but then in 1976, it disappeared.  One Royal family member who continued to be surrounded by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZIn5oL7sNY">controversy</a> was Dhirendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. On August 8, 1972, the Supreme Court had a <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/ancient-idols-of-gods-under-serious-threat-in-nepal/">hearing</a> on the artifacts procured by Prince Dhirendra. The court ruled that the recovered idols could not be returned.  The audacity of crime in Panchayat was so high that in 1983 thieves tried to <a href="https://nkp.gov.np/full_detail/6327">steal</a> the statue of Bhupatindra Malla in broad daylight using a crane inside a major city within Kathmandu Valley. The theft was <a href="https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Bhupatindra_Malla">stopped</a> by angry locals and the police. People naturally became suspicious of any possible connection between the crime with the royal family.  The subject of Nepal’s stolen artifacts is multi-faceted, and there is an opportunity to produce an investigative documentary that could perhaps reveal even more than what we know now.    https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/palaces-in-bhaktapur 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/7d0b5149-524e-41c8-b43b-5d1694699bb9.jpeg Palaces in Bhaktapur Background Nepal was perceived as a medieval kingdom even in the early 21st century before it became a re  The medieval story, art, and architecture are gaining popularity due to movies and television series such as Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and even Harry Potter. These stories maintain a distinct aroma of Medieval design and structure.  At present, the exotic oriental culture of Korean drama and Samurai culture has been gaining popularity and one of the less explored oriental regions would be Nepal.   The super hit movie Doctor Strange used classic Nepali architecture reflecting the potential of Nepali locations.  One of the first places recognized for Historic filmmaking and Palaces would be Bhaktapur, especially as it was the shooting location for the movie <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/little-buddha-director-bertolucci.html">Little Buddha</a>. The region has both stories of an unknown palace and hosts several palaces. Ancient Historical Palace of BhaktapurHistoric documents reveal Tripura Rajkula to be the first royal palace in Bhaktapur which was established by King Ananda Dev (1146-1167). The exact location of the 7-storied pagoda structure of Tripura Rajkula is shrouded in mystery. It is believed that the courtyard and gates of the palaces slowly transformed into toles/localities/marketplaces. Some of the parts of Tripura Rajkula seem to include contemporary local settlements such as Sukuldhoka (the main entrance), Tibukchhen (a strong inner fort), and Kwachhen (the southern fort).  The rulers with the Dev surname lived in Tripura Rajkula while kings with the Malla surname resided in Yuthunimam-Rajkula.  After the Jayasthiti Malla (1382-1395) Yuthunimam's importance grew while Tripura-Rajkula's recognition went down and was seen only as a residence.  Tripura Rajkula's precise history can be conflicted since it was no longer mentioned after Raya Malla (1482-1505). On another hand, Yuthunimam became the famous Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It should be noted we do not know the architecture of Yuthunimam-Rajkula due to the earthquake; as old palaces were destroyed and new palaces were constructed in the same location.  Remaining Palaces of Bhaktapur The famous part of Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the Golden Gate. The inscription (CE1453) in Golden Gate mentions that fortification was completed with the cooperation of all castes of people with the initiation of the king. Golden Gate is a photogenic spot alongside the wide and amazing buildings.  Chaukot Durbar may have been built by Jagajyotir Malla (1613-1637) and was fully deserted in the 1934 earthquake.  Basantapur Durbar was built by King Jagatprakash Malla (1644-1673) and is on the right side of Choukot Durbar. Choukot Durbar is an eminent palace of Bhaktapur Durbar Square.  Basantapur Durbar was deserted in 1934 and was restored but the compound of the durbar was given to build Sri Padma High School.  Simhadhwaka Durbar was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1698 and named it Malatichok but locals called it Simhadhwka. It lost its original shape and style in 1934. It was reconstructed in a neo-classic style.  The 55-window temple was constructed in 1708 and is famous for its world-class wall paintings. Jitrmitra Malla (1673-1696) was credited for constructing Thaanthu Rajkula in 1678. The courtyard still exists but in a disappearing condition- Bhaktapur Municipality is housed in a reconstructed part of this Durbar.  Lun-dhwaka/Swornadvara (Golden Gate) was constructed by Jagajyotir Malla but he couldn’t achieve his dream, his successor Jagatprakash Malla and Jitamitra also tried but they failed, later Ranajit Malla in 1757 had earned gold through the Tibet-Khasa trade and was able to build the golden gate which was dedicated to their family <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/kumari-of-kathmandu">goddess Taleju</a>. Therefore, the inscription on the Golden Gate predates the gate itself.  ConclusionBhaktapur Municipality has maintained its historical landscape and agricultural landscape, which can be valuable for shooting a historical series or documentaries.  Bhaktapur has been a top filming destination as it is close to Tribhuvan International Airport, has good infrastructure, and amazing heritage. The story of an unknown palace called Tripura Rajkula itself can be a topic for a documentary.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-helicopter-the-lifeline-and-an-adventure 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/9c0a748c-fab5-4bf2-b08c-f107aaa08ef5.jpeg Part I: Helicopter, the Lifeline, and an Adventure Nepal has an old relationship with Helicopters. The first Helicopters to fly in Nepal were American-manufactured <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.discoveryworldtrekking.com/blog/7-Reasons-for-Helicopter-Tours-in-Nepal">Bell Helicopters</a> leased by Nepal Airlines in the 1960s. Similarly, two Russian Mi-4 helicopters entered Nepal that served on scheduled routes to remote parts of Nepal making all parts of Nepal accessible.  Nowadays Helicopters can be chartered on a very short notice since Nepal has a well-established helicopter industry. It is suitable for Nepalese needs due to landslides and other natural disasters even when roads are inaccessible. Helicopters serve as the lifeline for quick and quality travel. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/health/2019/07/27/death-of-a-new-mother-forces-government-to-rethink-its-rescue-programme-for-critical-pregnant-women">Since 2019</a>, the Nepal government has been providing a helicopter rescue program through the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2022/07/14/helicopter-rescue-programme-saves-lives-of-rural-women">President Women Upliftment Program</a> and has effectively <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://old.risingnepaldaily.com/health/304-women-rescued-under-president-woman-upliftment-programme-in-four-years">saved hundreds</a> of underprivileged communities after suffering complications during their pregnancy. However, booking a chopper is not always that convenient, sometimes there are travel restrictions between the Nepal / China borders. Due to the Khampa rebellion against China, Nepal had previously imposed some restrictions  In one case, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2022/23/259254/">Chhani Gurung</a>, a laborer was injured by a rolling stone in the Chinese bordering Rural Municipality of Gorkha, it took two hours to get her to a nearby health post but it would take three days just to get to a vehicle accessible road. A long bureaucratic process of co-ordinating letters and authorization between Chief District Officers, a helicopter company, the Home Ministry, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal just to grant permits. Fortunately, the bureaucratic process was completed and by the next day, Chaani Gurung was airlifted. There are also cases where the rapidly growing helicopter industry of Nepal goes a little out of control. In 2023, Helicopter Pilot Ramesh Dangol of Prabhu Air was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/pilot-and-passengers-beaten-up-after-helicopter-landed-on-football-ground/">forced to land in a football stadium</a> while there was an ongoing semi-final of the Waling Gold Cup.The spectators wondered if there was any problem with the helicopter and had to make an emergency landing but after they found out the game was interrupted just for the pleasure of a drunk passenger, the spectators got aggressive and started beating the pilot and the passengers. Helicopters are used for rescue but are also <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-02/27/c_137855014.htm">prone to accidents</a> and some are high-profile cases. In 2019, Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari, PM aide Yubaraj Dahal, entrepreneur Ang Tsering Sherpa, Captain Prabhakar KC, Minister Adhikari’s bodyguard Arjun Ghimire, Deputy Director of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Birendra Shrestha, CAAN official Dhruba Das died after Air Dynasty helicopter crashed in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/news/helicopter-carrying-tourism-minister-crashes"> Sisne Khola area</a>. After a year, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/minister-adhikaris-death-in-chopper-crash-probe-panel-submits-report-after-one-year.html">investigation committee</a> submitted a report that identified unfavorable weather and snowstorms as major causes of the accident. The probe found the load that the chopper was carrying was bigger than the limit allowed for this at type of chopper.  Mismanagements have been rampant in Nepal which is one of the crucial ingredients for aerial accidents. Nepal is still learning from its mistakes and improving the quality of air travel. There is a more promising story of adventure which we discuss in Part 2 of this series.   Note: The Image is Ai generated https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-kamaiya-the-servitude-of-the-plains 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/e2c80cda-9b2a-4f49-ac76-3b9e7225bd2a.jpeg Part I: Kamaiya, the servitude of the plains A person who works hard is called Kamaiya in the Tharu language but in Nepali society, it is associated with servitude.  The story of Kamaiya is also associated with how foreign aid can contribute to damaging and harming the marginalized community.  Till the early 20th century, the people of the hills avoided remaining in Terai for long as they felt they would definitely die as people would suffer from aulo (malaria in Nepali).  The government was willing to provide free land to Indians and Nepalese who were willing to settle in the plains.  The Hilly people would migrate in winter to the plains and would leave the region in warmer seasons as the temperature got uncomfortable and they were at risk of dying due to malaria.  There was a popular assumption that the indigenous inhabitants of the plains in Nepal were immune to malaria.  As the local community could continue to survive in the plains as a result the local lords in Nepal as well as British regents <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/DSAJ/article/view/10438/8507">relied</a> on and even encouraged the Tharu community for cultivation and settlement. However, as the rulers were scared to live in Terai this provided a sense of autonomy of the people of the plains.  The Insect-Borne Disease Control Program, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/205550/B4673.pdf?sequence=1">supported by</a> the United States in 1954 was the foundation of changing the status quo and unilaterally empower the ruling class who would now feel safe to migrate in plains.   DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) an insecticide used to control malarial parasites was even called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dialogue.earth/en/nature/bittersweet-conservation-victory-chitwan-national-park-nepal/">Deadly Dose for Tharu</a>, generally associated with Tharu losing their land rights but it should be noted that DDT was an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/consequences-of-ddt-exposure-could-last-generations/">extremely poisonous chemical</a> that harmed human beings. Kamaiya of Bardiya had already started a collective action in April 1951  known as Beluwa Movement popularized by the slogan “land to the tiller”, right after the popular democratic movement that had ended the 104 years of Rana oligarchy. This was crushed brutally by the police open firing at the crowd killing six people.  In an area where the rulers themselves were likely to be absent, it was difficult for the regime to be exploitative, but as they became present and held external legitimacy they were able to be more exploitative.   <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.omct.org/files/interdisciplinary-study/ii_b_3_nepal_case_study.pdf">Kamaiya</a> are people who were hired along with the family to borrow money to work in the field while the female known as Kamalari would work in the house as domestic help. These are not just held by rich and powerful people but also get trapped in slavery by the middle class for a meager sum of loans.  As women go to work as house help they also get sexually exploited by the men of the owning family.  In the Nepali month of Magh, Kamaiya it is argued they become free and get an opportunity to renew the contract for next year. As they do not hold land and are trapped in a loan, there is no other option than to renew the contract.  Around the period of political movements, Tharus were regularly activated such as in the case of the Sikainda Movement but as a punishment, their entire settlement was demolished in 1984 by using elephants and bulldozers.  Similarly Dalla Movement in 1985, Majhara Movement in 1993, Damauli Movement in 1998, Manau Movement in 1998, Kanara Movement in 1990.  A deeper story has to be discussed of the emancipation and narrative that echoes to this day. https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-rautahat-brick-kiln-massacre 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/cd9827c0-eebf-47f7-b67b-1999a8e7b2ae.jpg Part I: Rautahat Brick Kiln Massacre On <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/three-of-2008-rautahat-explosion-victims-were-treated-in-india-witness">April 9th 2008</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/rautahat-blast-victim-moves-court-for-personal-security/">Gauri Shankar Ram Chamar</a> from Bihar, India had gone to meet Mohammad Aftab Alam to receive his wage. Chamar arrived at the residence and waited alongside 16 other people in a cowshed. Shortly after, a stove bomb detonated and injured multiple people. Chamar suffered injuries in his ear, neck, and chest. He ran 700 meters in panic, before losing consciousness. He remained in a coma for 20 days.  In the unfortunate event, 14 people died and 8 were injured. According to an eyewitness, Aftab Alam is accused of having packed the injured persons in sacks, dumping their bodies in a brick kiln fire, and killing them. Mohammad Aftab Alam was not seen as a notorious gangster but rather was publicly perceived as a politician who later became <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/nepali-labourers-not-wanted-says-minister">Minister for Labor and Transport Management</a>.  So, why would a prominent politician from a renowned party commit such a heinous crime or be accused of such an act? What was his motivation to lead such action? Specifically, before the First Constituent Assembly election that was held on May 12, 2008. In 2008, Nepal was going through a turbulent time, the civil war had recently ended, and an armed Maoist rebel was competing in a democratic election. During that period- political violence, intimidation, and voting irregularities were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/sca/119138.htm">widespread</a> and Mohammad Aftab Alam was no exception. Even though Mohammad Aftab Alam belonged to a moderate democratic party, he had become extreme.  It was discovered that bombs were being made to wreak terror during the Constituent Assembly in order to secure Alam’s poll win. He won in the First Constituent Assembly election in May 12th, 2008, from Rautahat Constituency 2 Nepali Congress. On April 30th, 2008, Rukshana Khatun Filed a case against Alam, and on June 23rd Shree Narayan Singh also filed a case against Alam. DAO Rautahat presents a report to the District Attorney’s Office. On July 14, 2008, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) decided not to file any case against Alam. However, the complaints helped in stopping him from becoming a Minister.  On May 29th, 2012, the Supreme Court revoked the decision of OAG and ordered a proper investigation. Alam lost the second Constituent Assembly in 2013. But then, in a turn of events, Alam proceeded to win the first federal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/rautahat-district-court-extends-alam-s-police-custody-by-eight-days-with-video/">election</a> in 2017 from Rautahat Constituency-2.  Alam’s case will be further discussed in Part II.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-the-nepali-elephants 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/c70c134c-de0b-4624-83f0-98c7cfee5775.jpg Part I: The Nepali Elephants Elephants are a unique mammal in Nepal because of their religious importance in Hinduism. They have been domesticated since <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.fao.org/4/ad031e/ad031e0g.htm">6,000 BCE in South Asia</a>.  This large mammal has always symbolized power and is often found as sculpture guardians outside temples, such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nyatapola-temple">Nyatapole</a>, in Bhaktapur.  In 2022, the total population of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/08/12/number-of-elephants-increase-in-nepal-study-shows">wild elephants</a> in Nepal was calculated to be less than 400.   In July 2020, a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-1/2020/07/03/wild-elephants-wreak-havoc-in-settlements-in-sunsari">herd of 11 wild elephants</a> caused havoc in a southern village of Barahkhestra Municipality, damaging crops, locals have been urging the local government to control elephants and provide them with compensation. In December 2020, Sunsari District Administration Office considered putting down the wild elephant which has killed at least 18 people and damaged properties. Wildlife conservationists say there are other ways to tame elephants. In Nepal there are strict laws against putting down elephants.  There has also been an app- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/10/22/an-old-battle-of-wills-playing-out-in-jhapa">Hatti ayo</a> in which whenever someone detects elephant movement, they punch the info into the app and notify a ranger, who then blows a siren.  In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-2/2023/03/27/a-14-year-old-killer-elephant-is-terrorising-settlements-in-central-tarai-districts">March 2023</a>, a 14-year-old male elephant called Yamaraj killed five people over a span of six months. The locals express concern that Yamaraj may stay in the area permanently.  The option of taming elephants has also been difficult as the organization People for Ethical Treatment of Animals lobbies while the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora bans the international trade of animal body parts such as elephant tusk.  In Nepal, the story of smuggling has additional layers of complexity as it's a popular tradition to own elephants.  This is a story that will be covered in Part II: The Nepali Elephants   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-the-palaces-of-western-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/b667b242-8392-463d-a6e9-f6e025b60144.jpeg Part I: The Palaces of Western Nepal Rural Western Nepal is home to traditional landscapes making it the perfect place for filming.  Mountainous terrain has generally become home to many small kingdoms and Nepal is no exception. Western Nepal was popular for a collection of various kingdoms; Baise (22 states), Chuabise (24 states), Bahra <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nationalmuseum.gov.np/archives/120">Magarat</a> (12 Magar states), and Atthara Magarat (18 Magar states).  One of the districts (Nepal is a collection of 77 districts)- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://daobaglung.moha.gov.np/post/introduction-of-the-district">Baglung</a>, was renowned for 16 thousand peaks (Sohra Hajar Parbat); every peak claimed to have its kings. Some of the renowned kingdoms among them were Galkot, Bihukot, Sansarkot, Arnikot, and Majhakot were popular.  With each kingdom comes a story, and the stories could easily become a plotline for potential film shoots.  The region was conquered in the 14th century by the Jumla kings when they started expanding east, however, since these regions were highly mountainous, centralized authority was difficult. The Kings of Karnali and Gandaki regions would go to Delhi India every five years.   In the 16th century, Crown Price <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/ancientnepal/pdf/ancient_nepal_18_05.pdf">Nagabam</a> of Salyana and Musikot went to Delhi and was bestowed the title Malla and became Naga Malla. He won the eastern hills of the Madi River and the region he ruled became known as the Malla kingdom.  One of the kingdoms associated with Malla is Galkot. The Galkot palace is at the top of the hill which ruled over 3000 households.  In the past, the palace was surrounded by 500 huts made from Khar (grass) and the kingdom administrated 3 copper mines, and 1 iron mine; providing annual revenue of Rs.3,500 for the King.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/historical-galkot-durbar-wearing-away/">Galkot Palace</a> at present is located in Galkot Municipality-5. After the Shah kings of Nepal dissolved many of the royal titles, these petty rulers remained active in social life while they and their families continued to live in palaces.  The head of Galkot royalty Bharat Bam Malla became a Member of Parliament in 1959, after Bharat Bam Malla the responsibility went to Madhavbam who took the teaching profession. Madhavbam in 2006 was killed by rebels in the Nepal civil war (1996-2006). After the Golkot royal family left their ancestral homes the temple was in ruins.  The civil war had a disastrous effect and destroyed many palaces in Nepal. Some have started resurfacing during this peaceful period.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-the-struggles-of-the-dalit-community 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/74cf41b6-1db5-4450-889f-6fbf2c881452.png Part I: The struggles of the Dalit community ‘Dalit’ term, means <a href="http://www.humanrights.asia/resources/books/demoralization-and-hope/chapter-ten-shudras-untouchables-dalits/">oppressed</a>, and is a historically marginalized community known as the “untouchables”.  Rig Veda (<a href="https://sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv10090.htm">10.90.12</a>) the earliest Hindu text discusses Purusha assumed to be a metaphor for consciousness which elaborates that the Purusha's mouth becomes the highest caste; Brahmins, his arms; the upper/middle caste Rajanya (Kshetriya) emerged, from his thighs; the lower middle caste Vaisya emerged, and from his feet came the lowest caste Shudra (Dalit).  These have remained controversial topics and some believers of Vedas like <a href="https://unacademy.com/content/railway-exam/study-material/history/a-short-note-on-arya-samaj/">Arya Samaj</a> are against the presence of casteism as per their interpretation of religious doctrine.  There are also <a href="http://mainstreamweekly.net/article11958.html">claims</a> that Dalits are even lower than Shudra as they do not belong to the Varnashram system. The struggle against caste-based discrimination is older than the written history which has remained prevalent at least since the time of Buddha.  The discussion should emphasize social issues rather than religious dimensions and emphasize issues within Nepal but outside Kathmandu Valley as the Valley’s social hierarchy and structure are very complex.   This is a hot topic even in Nepal and the earliest Dalit caste Kami, Damai, and Sarki were <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/navaraj-the-spark-that-will-light-the-fire/">first mentioned</a> in Khas Malla (present-day western Nepal, Kumoan, and Garhwal) inscriptions in the 13th and 14th centuries and were further clarified in Muluki Ain of 1854.  The Dalit community being vulnerable, suffers immensely. Authorities do not investigate criminal incidents, sexual assaults, and murders properly, and defendants are not prosecuted accordingly.  One known case was of <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/caste-based-domestic-violence-against-women-rife-in-rolpa/">Bikamati Roka Chettri</a> who eloped but suffered domestic abuse at the hands of the groom who was a Dalit. She remained helpless as the groom’s family rejected her, simultaneously her parents didn’t even allow them to enter her maternal house. Her parents argued that she had become impure by marrying a Dalit. The Dalit man later married a different woman and divorced her in the presence of a local representative.  There are cases of <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/ramechhap-man-dalit-community-fined-for-entering-temple">Krishna Bahadur BK</a> being demanded a fine of Rs. 5,000 by priests Chattra Bahadur Budathoki and Bhim Bahadur Budathoki for entering Shera Kali Temple, who had entered the temple to perform a puja ceremony/ offering. Similarly, Tekendra Sunar was beaten by the Ward Chairman of Triveni Municipality-7, <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/ward-chairman-lands-in-police-custody-for-beating-up-a-dalit-man-who-entered-a-temple/">Juddha Ayadi</a> for entering Nateshwar Temple. On the grounds that the “impure” can not enter the temple.  There are also cases such as in Ramdhuni Municipality, where a Dalit woman was beaten by a group of other Dalit women accusing her of <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vPNk1EylGrvvExMUkWX0y46YpRgYKy8qnvBB95kzH5Q/edit">witchcraft and black magic</a>. These are problems that illiteracy in the Dalit communities suffer creating further violence in the country.  <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/harijan-jail-suicide-case-probe-committee-submits-report-to-home-minister/">Sundar Harijan</a> a person sentenced for mobile phone theft had his identity swapped due to the negligence of the prison administration, the Dalit man committed suicide inside the prison.  The present-day story of the Dalits only shows the dark side of the community which is a heart-breaking tragic reality. However, there are also promising and positive stories of overcoming struggle and reuniting in activism which will be discussed in Part II.  Note: The image is a mixed work created by Kripendra Amatya  Sources of Original Photos:  <a href="https://www.needpix.com/photo/1805374/poor-kid-la-poverty-child-people-homeless-india-girl">https://www.needpix.com/photo/1805374/poor-kid-la-poverty-child-people-homeless-india-girl</a>  <a href="https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/YW045437VER/A-pandit-holding-prayer-beads">https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/YW045437VER/A-pandit-holding-prayer-beads</a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/7021971361">https://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/7021971361</a>   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-the-sweating-bhimsen 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/9d2bd219-8776-45a2-85c3-b214843492bd.jpg Part I: The Sweating Bhimsen Dolakha is well known for the Dolakha Bhimsen idol which has been known for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/bhimsen-idol-perspires-prez-to-send-puja-materials-for-atonement-worship/">perspiring</a>. But before delving into the story of perspiring, the tradition of Bhimsen and the stories surrounding it, have to be understood.  Bhimsen, the strongest brother amongst the five Pandavas (the hero of Mahabharat) connects with Dolakha and major locations within the Bagmati Province of Nepal.  The folklore suggests the Pandavas were passing through a jungle while in exile. Then, they decided to develop a secret language to avoid being traced, this language developed into Dolkhali.   Dolkali is a dialect of Newari, as per the legend, Dolkhali isolation kept its language intact while the others migrated to the capital of Nepal- Kathmandu.  However, linguistic professionals claim that the Newari language spoken in Dolakha is strongly influenced by the Thami and Tamang languages. It should be remembered that Newari like Thami, Tamang, and Kirati are Sino-Tibetan languages while the language Pandavas spoke would have been Indo-European, therefore an Indo-European speaker developing a Sino-Tibetan language is nothing more than fantasy.  There are also additional claims that Bhindyo (an abbreviation of Bhimsen) is not Bhimsen of Pandava, but a local hero of Nepal. However, such claims may have emerged out of nationalist sentiment and do not have any foundation.  One of the reasons why Bhimsen is valued in Nepal may be linked to the story of Bhimsen and his demonic wife <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.khojnu.com/places/nepal/central-development-region/hetauda/attractions/bhutandevi-temple/">Hidimba</a>.  It is believed the story between Bhimsen and Hidimba is linked to the provincial capital of Bagmati Province of Nepal- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hetaudaserophero.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-name-behind-hetauda.html">Hetauda</a>. The term Hetauda is claimed to have its origin from Hidimba and the temple Bhutandevi of Hetauda is said to be temple of Hidimba.  Krishna an ally of Bhimsen, drained the lake that was created after Narkasur a rival, blocked it, that valley is now known as Kathmandu Valley. The daughter of Narkasur, Ahilawati later married Ghototkch and they would give birth to Barbarika. Barbarika is considered the first Kirati ruler of Nepal- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/02-13/features2739.htm">Yalamber</a>.  Literature also suggests that Narkasur is from Assam and is not linked to Nepal. Therefore, these stories are extremely ambiguous as the communities try to connect themselves with mythical stories.  The Kirati community still inhabits the eastern side of Nepal, while in the Bagmati Province, the Kirati rulers were conquered by Indo-Aryans, and the amalgamation of these two cultures built the Newar identity.  It is believed that Yalamber is worshipped as Akash Bhairab by Newars and is claimed to be the grandson of Pandav prince Bhimsen making Kirati rulers as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://medium.com/@bharath.kusuma28/kings-who-ruled-after-pandavas-602bf997b93e">the descendants of the Bharat dynasty</a>.   This connection justifies why Newars worship Bhimsen but Indians do not hold such tradition.  Newar (the indigenous community of Kathmandu) has a strong history of worshipping Bhimsen, the patron god of trade and commerce. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalisansar.com/special-stories/lalitpur-nepals-abode-of-shrines-and-durbars/">Bhimsen shrines</a> are very popular in Newar tradition and various <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2023/09/09/bhimsen-jatra-celebrated">festivals</a> are organized to honor the god.  However, the most famous shrine of Bhimsen remains in Dolakha as it is famous for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/bhimsen-idol-perspires-prez-to-send-puja-materials-for-atonement-worship/">perspiring</a>.  Some of the internationally significant incidents when Dolakha Bhimsen perspired were before the royal massacre on June 1, 2001, and then the idol was said to have perspired four times before the 2015 Nepal earthquake. When did it start perspiring? Is it a bad omen or a mere coincidence- these will be discussed in Part II: The Sweating Bhimsen https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-the-unknown-side-of-flesh-trade 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/b0e6ae53-86f3-4000-b096-f4a98cddbcb6.png PART I: The Unknown Side of Flesh Trade People associate the flesh trade with human trafficking, health risks, economic desperation, and stigmatization. However, there are aspects of the flesh trade that are rarely discussed. This post aims to shed light on the back-end story, starting with its ancient history.  The earliest known instances of prostitution can be traced back to 2400 BCE in ancient Babylon, where it was closely linked to religious spaces and considered a form of <a href="https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/history-prostitution-0017610">sacred prostitution</a>, a similar practice can also be seen in South Asia.  The <a href="https://dhaaramagazine.in/2023/01/15/exploring-prostitution-in-ancient-india-a-subversion-of-contraries/">claims</a> that early Vedic text <a href="https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-11353-an-unspoken-truth-behind-prostitution-in-india-an-in-depth-blog-analysis.html">mention prostitution</a> known as Ganika lack sufficient evidence and instead only describes illicit affairs. The later Vedic literature mentions <a href="https://www.hinduismfacts.org/apsara/">apsara</a> (celestial nymphs), who are associated with the prostitutes of the gods.  Apsara is used as a synonym for beautiful, while the literature suggests some of them were even married.  Ganika is described in <a href="https://indianculture.gov.in/institutions-ganika-and-devadasi-ancient-medieval-times">Kamasutra</a> as a courtesan who is trained in the art of lovemaking, while a Vesya means a prostitute. However, prostitutes were also respected on both religious and secular occasions while Ganika had a much higher status.   Sexual norms in India were <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20150921-indias-temples-of-sex">more liberal</a> before the 13th-century Muslim conquest, as evidenced by the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/the-erotic-arts-of-india/story-2oiZAXjDesHewIFY3zPsOP.html#:~:text=Two%20thousand%20years%20ago%2C%20sage,positions%2C%20at%20their%20capital%20Khajuraho.">Chandella Kings</a> (950-1050 A.D.) depicting erotic positions in temples at their capital Khajuraho.  The <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/44144079">Matsyapuran</a>, composed during the Gupta empire (4th century CE- 6th century CE), describes the destruction of Lord Krishna’s tribe that led to his thousands of wives being abducted by dasas and forced into prostitution. These fallen women sought the guidance of Sage Dalbya about their duties and were advised to embrace prostitution as their profession. This laid the foundation for devadasi (servants of gods) a culture where girls were donated to temples serving the gods and providing sexual services to the devotees.  In Nepal, a <a href="https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/2300785">similar culture</a> to the Devdasi can be found, known as Deuki. This custom is believed to have been initiated in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.3126/tuj.v35i2.36194">14th century</a> by King Naga Malla in far western parts of Nepal. Deuki much like Devdasi, are ones that take care of temples and assist in worship activities. They can’t marry, but they can engage in physical relationships, children born to Deuki would also become Deuki (if female) and Deuka (if male).  Deuki relies on the sex trade to acquire basic necessities like food and shelter. Clients believe that engaging in sex with a Deuki cleanses sins and brings one good luck. They also get invited to festivals and programs and are revered with a status akin to that of a goddess.  In 2012, there were an estimated 2000 deukis in Nepal and it is likely they continue to exist to this present day.  While Deuki is a respected form of prostitution, there is another community named <a href="https://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/kailash/pdf/kailash_16_0304_02.pdf">Badi</a> that is considered <a href="https://herfuturecoalition.org/the-untouchables/">untouchables</a>.  The Badi came to western Nepal in the 14th century, settling in Salayan and later in Rolpa, Rukum, and Jajarkot. They traditionally made their living as entertainers performing songs and dances- narrating the story of Mahabharat and Ramayan.  Wealthy high-caste landlord used to provide basic necessities in exchange for entertainment and sex, while it was limited to them and to their male relatives. In the 1960s during the Panchayat regime, the power of the landlords was stripped. After the landlords weren’t able to patronage them, they prostituted themselves to other men.  The rise of technology led to a decline in the demand for singing and dancing, leaving only prostitution as a thriving market.  Badi women from their early childhood accept the fact that a life of prostitution awaits them. Around the age of thirteen, they start to prostitute themselves.  Their first experience in sexual intercourse is a ceremony known as nathiya kholne, where a man gives a Badi girl new clothes, jewelry, and around 1000 -5000 NPR.  The Badi is frequently discussed in the local media due to the Nepali government’s <a href="https://www.undp.org/nepal/publications/badi-report-2023">efforts to</a> dismantle the tradition by providing the Badi community with land and livelihood. In 2017, <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2018/11/22/anti-untouchability-activist-badi-receives-bbc-honour">Uma Devi Badi</a> a Badi activist and leader became the first Badi Parliamentary Member.  Filmmakers interested in making documentaries can find traces of many primitive practices still prevalent in the developing world. These practices also give a glimpse of how humans have taken prostitution from a well-respected custom to a stigmatized member of society.  Revealing these stories, helps us understand and humanize marginalized groups, as well as bring awareness and a global collective effort to eradicate various taboos, and allow these communities to have the dignified life they deserve.    https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-i-uncovering-bullion 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/68ceb93d-1bd6-4e9c-b126-e0d64399229f.png Part I: Uncovering Bullion The earliest recorded case of gold trade in Nepal dates back to the 4th century BCE when it exported gold to India, as documented in the Kautiya Arthashastra. In ancient times, Nepal imported gold from Tibet and exported gold to India, a trade that occurred during the Lichchhivi Period.  During the colonization of India, Nepal adopted a strict isolationist policy. However, following India’s decolonization, Nepal gradually opened up and introduced Westernized bureaucracy and taxation policies, resulting in; smuggling.  During the <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/nepal-a-hub-for-transnational-gold-smuggling/">Panchayat regime</a> (1960-1990), gold smuggling was prevalent. However, due to the regime’s lack of transparency, finding detailed information remains very challenging.  Since the 1980s, instances of high-profile individuals engaging in <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/gold-smuggling-gilded-in-politics/">gold smuggling</a> have come to light. Notable cases include members of the Nepalese legislature, commonly known as Members of Rashtriya Panchayat, such as Chandra Bahadur Budha (Surkhet district) and Nar Bahadur Gurung (Lamjung district), who were apprehended while attempting to smuggle gold from Hong Kong.  In 1987, the retired Police Inspector General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150211163652/http://np.karobardaily.com/2014/03/28247/">Dil Bahadur Lama</a>, alongside Lt. Colonel Bharat Gurung, the bodyguard of Prince Dhirendra, were arrested on charges of gold smuggling and narcotics. Both Bharat Gurung and DB Lama had close ties with <a href="https://xnepali.net/the-truth-about-komal-oli-and-prince-dhirendra-affair/">Prince Dhirendra</a>. It was also rumored that the prince was divorcing the Queen’s sister, and the Queen sought revenge by punishing the Prince’s close accomplices.  Lama spent five years in jail, after which he was released by the court due to lack of evidence. He claimed that he had been framed by the palace and sought revenge, eventually joining the Nepali Congress. Smuggling in Nepal became more prevalent as Nepali started migrating in search of job opportunities. The assumption was that foreign employment started only after the reinstallation of democracy in 1990. However, it’s noteworthy that in 1985, the government had already issued the Foreign Employment Act and began providing licenses for operating Foreign Employment Businesses. Historically, <a href="https://www.compareremit.com/money-transfer-tips/best-ways-to-send-money-online-to-nepal/">more than 50%</a> of Nepalese working abroad used informal channels to send money such as in the form of gold. Nepal maintains a <a href="https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/17082">quota</a> for gold imports to ensure a favorable balance of payments, while it imposes a 15% <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2023/06/02/gold-surges-to-rs113-300-after-announcement-of-import-duty">duty</a> on gold imported by individuals.  Given the high inflation rate, Nepali currency isn’t an attractive option for saving. In contrast, gold jewelry holds cultural significance, especially during religious ceremonies, and can also serve as a means of future savings. The combination of the importing quota, high customs duty, and the demand for money to be illegally transferred creates the ideal combination for gold smuggling in Nepal.  Gold smuggled into Nepal from China is also smuggled from Nepal to India. After India<a href="https://thewire.in/south-asia/indi-custom-duty-gold-nepal-smuggling"> imposed a 15% import duty</a> on gold, Nepal too had to increase its own duty on gold to prevent gold from being smuggled to India from Nepal. However, gold that enters Nepal illegally bypasses import duty and can be smuggled into India to make a profit.   It’s important to note that the primary profit margin for smugglers lies in evading import duty, which they need to share among participating individuals, including gold-carrying mules, security personnel, and airport officials, among other expenses. If the smuggled gold is caught, it gets seized by the government, and those involved in the smuggling operation face separate penalties.  In 2017, a silver car entered Nepal from the land border with China, containing a hidden trunk holding 88 gold bars worth $4.2 million in total. The customs facility in <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Nepal-takes-a-central-role-in-China-India-gold-smuggling">Nepal operated under a tent</a> and lacked an X-ray machine, which is advantageous for smugglers. However, gold smuggling is widespread at Tribhuvan International Airport, with more details revealed in Part II: Uncovering Bullion.      https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-helicopters-a-lifeline-and-an-adventure 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/7865db14-fe86-490e-8a7e-a074a5368d92.jpeg Part II: Helicopters, a Lifeline, and an Adventure Nepal, a country with a very rigid terrain has been blessed with a growing Helicopter industry which helps get around. There are around <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepaltrekkinginhimalaya.com/pages/helicopter-in-nepal">40 private Helicopters</a> operated by 12 Helicopter Companies in Nepal.Two of the major Helicopter destinations are Everest and Limi Lapcha. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.magicalnepal.com/travel-guide/everest/everest-base-camp-helicopter-tour-cost/#:~:text=The%20Everest%20Base%20Camp%20Helicopter,4200%20for%20a%20charter%20flight.">Helicopter Tour</a>s to Everest Base Camp cost around $4500 for the whole chopper to yourself. The short landing allows people not to suffer the altitude and enjoy the scenic view. Another lesser-known location by Western tourists is Limi-Lapcha which is popular with Indian tourists for its connection to Hinduism and Lord Shiva. In 2023 alone, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2024/02/01/nepali-airline-begins-aerial-pilgrimage-tour-of-kailash-manasarovar-at-27-000ft">50,000 Indians booked</a> the Mansarovar trip from Nepal. The popular itinerary is to take a flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot Humla and a helicopter ride from Simikot to Hilsa.   There are also some popular <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://luxuryholidaynepal.com/blog/a-complete-guide-for-helicopter-tours-in-nepal">destinations</a> such as Gosaikunda, Muktinath, Rara Lake, Lumbini, and Upper Mustang conducted through heli tours.  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/heliport-in-bhaktapur-plan.html">government has allocated</a> significant funds to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.aviationnepal.com/caan-to-construct-a-modern-helipad-in-nalinchowk-bhaktapur/">construct</a> more helipads and transform the industry.  As for adventures- Helicopters are also used for sky-diving. The first skydiving program in Everest took place in May 2008 by four skydivers- Ben Ian Wood, Andy Montriou, Nigel Gifford, and David Ian Wood.  They jumped from a height of 16,000 ft at Syangboche <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.everestskydive.com/everest-skydive-2008">from a helicopter</a> belonging to Fishtail Air making it the “Highest Skydive in the World.” The event was covered by 500 international and national media.  There are also skydiving opportunities in Pokhara. Nepal is growing more as a destination for Paragliding which we will discuss in our next post.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-kamaiya-the-servitude-of-the-plains 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/cad1932a-b64c-40b8-aa55-28dea071ab09.jpeg Part II: Kamaiya, the servitude of the plains Tharu has their own <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/tharu-communities-kailali-worry-traditional-rules-will-die">system</a>, they draft their own local laws to run their community, as a result, they don’t report any complaints and file cases with the government agencies and utilize democratic norms- as a result, nobody feels injustice. These structures were damaged after the Hill people influx into the plains.  Democratization was not exactly liberation for the Tharu community. Equality was a term used by the democratic party to collect Tharu votes, however, the abolishment of Kamaiya remained limited in words as elected leaders themselves kept Kamaiya while using the debt relief program to benefit party workers.  There was a seismic shift after the civil war that started in 1996 and the Communist-created Tharuwan Mukti Morcha was created in 1998 associated with the Communist Party.  The police killing of the communists and communists attacking landlords became a common practice and transformed the inter-relationship between the communities. In 2000 the government once again claimed there was emancipation from slavery but in reality, remained chained to structural slavery.  There were some government efforts to eradicate slavery however the tragedy while some continue to suffer. Out of 8,975 Kamaiya families entitled to land 8,022 Kamaiya have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/rehabilitation-of-freed-kamaiyas-incomplete">received land</a> while 380 families haven’t got land and 400 others are waiting to get land in different locations. They lament that their condition is no better than it was in the past. In cases where Tharu was given land, the problem was not resolved. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2022/18/263390/">Lal Bahadur Dagaura</a> of Bedkot Municipality-5 was given 5 kattha (18,225 sq. ft) of land which is not enough to support the family as a result he works as a construction worker and has to travel eight kilometers away from Mahendranagar bazaar for work.  As for 37 freed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/08/01/freed-kamalaris-staying-at-dang-hostel-seek-help-for-sustenance">Kamalaris</a>, they have been staying in a Lamadhi-based hostel but the government only provides expenses for 19 people, those who graduate 12 are disqualified to stay in the hostel- they have no guardians or home. The hostel took a loan of Rs.200,000 to manage food for all freed Kamalaris it housed.  The government abolished the Kamalari system but did not plan their rehabilitation. The Federal Government provides Rs.4,000 per month to each student staying at the hostel for 10 months in a year- this money is not enough to manage food in the hostel.  In one case, Padma Chaudhary, a former Kamalari girl staying at Lawajuni Hostel since 2013 is pursuing a Bachelor's in Lamadhi. However, the government provides hostel expenses up to grade 12 and therefore she is no longer qualified for hostel facilities. She has to find other options as she is without the support of the government.  Even in recent periods, Kamaiya has continued to protest for fear of being displaced. The residents of Baijanath Rural Municipality protest the government's decision to set up the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2021/02/26/industrial-area-plan-faces-backlash-from-former-kamaiyas-and-landless-in-banke">industrial area</a> that has been used by freed Kamaiyas and landless people for years. The government announced 525 bighas for industrial estate.  Out of which 338 bhigas are unoccupied while the rest are used for housing freed Kamaiyas and landless squatters.  However, the entire story is not completely dark. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/from-kamlari-to-mp">Shanta Chaudhary</a> who was forced to be a Kamalari at the age of 8, later became a member of the Constituent Assembly in 2008. She was illiterate, she enrolled herself in a six-month adult literacy class and learned to read and write.  He later also served as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://election.ekantipur.com/profile/2069?lng=eng">Chief Whip</a> for her party in the First Federal Parliament of Nepal.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://newtest.myrepublica.com/news/ex-kamalari-elected-as-deputy-speaker-of-province-5">Krishni Tharu</a>, another parliamentarian was elected as deputy speaker of Province 5, after its first provincial elections.  Urmila Choudary who once lived as an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/from-serf-to-solicitor">indentured servant</a> received the Global Anti-Racism Champion alongside many other <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/from-serf-to-solicitor">international awards</a>.   Yet, there are some issues of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/balen-blames-govt-for-taking-down-his-facebook-post-on-uml-lawmaker">child labor</a> being used for eight years by provincial parliamentarians and doubts about the ethnicity and status of the girl creating outrage by the Tharu Community.  Kamaiya system still haunts the country as social equality still exists as a result there are issues of conflict that could tear apart Nepal’s social fabric.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-nepals-community-forest 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/d3069467-ef9a-4456-8bc9-1a31e72ee8e8.jpg Part II: Nepal’s Community Forest Community Forests are a success in regenerating the Forests of Nepal. As always with nature, the forest has added a positive change in the lives of the community as well. Women's groups in the Chisapani Community Forest, continuously work in growing herbs for the production of herbal oil. They have produced 220 liters of citronella and lemongrass in 40 hectares of degraded community forest land. Lemongrass can be sold at Rs. 2,200 per liter and citronella at Rs. 1,900 which they began planting on private land. They have also allocated an even more lucrative mint which produces 100 liters of oil annually and sells it at Rs. 4,000 per litre. The group has saved Rs.200,000 in savings and distributed the rest of the sales money to the women in the community.  The Community forest user group does not charge any fee from the women for cultivating herbs at the edge of the forest, instead, Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN) installed oil processing equipment and is helping to market herbal oils to be exported to Europe. Ten additional community forest groups in Nawalparasi have started similar initiatives such as Sitapokhari Community Forest where 38 women have planted lemongrass. 10 women involved were candidates in the local elections of Bardaghat municipality out of which two of them were elected.  Farmers and the community forests in Mechinagar, Arjundhara, Bhadrapur, and Buddhashanti planted patchouli and lemongrass in huge amounts. Patchouli grass at green is sold for Rs.20 and dry would cost Rs.100 per kg.In the past<a href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2022/12/25/lapsi-cultivation-boosts-farmer-incomes-in-parbat"> Hog plum</a> fruits (lapsi) used to rot in fields and forests. Samudayik Khadya Prasodhan Udhyog, Mudikuwa, Phalewas Municipality-5 outsource, manage, store and process hog plum.The seasonal workers are hired during fruit’s peak season. There are orders for candy, pickles, jam, and other products for both domestic and international markets. In 2022, there were around 20,000 hog plum trees in Parbat. Each tree yields 1-5 tons of fruit per season. The factory processes fruits from November-end and by mid-June, the products are manufactured, labeled, and stored. As the forest coverage area has increased, there has also been increasing sightings of rare birds. Three rare birds (white-rumped vulture, Asian wooly neck stork, and steppe) were spotted in Ludi Damgadhe Community Forest, Gorkha Municipality-8 which is home to around 99 species of birds. As various species thrive in Nepal this also has a positive impact in bringing more tourists to the country and also creating opportunities such as homestay. Shiva Community Forest Group ran a job and skill development training program to provide jobs to at least one member of each family in Dalla Village. 22 Tharu households who were engaged in agriculture started homestay. The village with 105 households has earned the distinction of being a<a href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2022/10/08/dalla-village-in-bardia-is-a-homestay-success-story"> homestay success story</a> with visible social-economic transformation. Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and Nepali actor Rajesh Hamal also visited the Village. It has also been included in BBC’s list of top villages in the world. The community forest is home to rhino and Bengal tigers, locals made a security team to patrol 24/7 to prevent poaching and theft of forest resources. Men and women are involved in skills such as hairdressing, making dhakiyas baskets from bamboo, eco-tourism, fish farming, poultry farming, carpentry, and masonry. The village has a 100% school enrollment rate, and 18 homestays are in operation in Dalle. The story of a positive transformation could be energizing but its negative aspects have to be studied to have a complete picture of the problem which will be in Part III: Nepal’s Community Forest.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-rautahat-brick-kiln-massacre 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/1ca39124-4502-4dbf-a49a-333a0621a365.jpg Part II: Rautahat Brick Kiln Massacre In 2017, Alam won in the first federal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/rautahat-district-court-extends-alam-s-police-custody-by-eight-days-with-video/">election</a> for the Nepali Congress. Nepal was going through a red wave, a powerful coalition of two communist parties (which later unified), aligned with a fringe ethnic party that also had its roots in the two large communist parties creating a majority of two-thirds.    On <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/three-of-2008-rautahat-explosion-victims-were-treated-in-india-witness">April 2008</a> before the election eyewitness, Mohammad Aftab Alam was seen packing the injured persons in sacks, dumping their bodies in a brick kiln fire, and killing them.  On May 29, 2012, the Supreme Court revoked the decision of OAG and ordered a proper investigation.  The court order remained neglected against a powerful politician, then petitioners filed a complaint with the Judgement Execution Directorate, on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-2/2020/06/07/police-arrest-rautahat-brick-kiln-massacre-suspect">October 13, 2019</a>, Aftab Alam was finally arrested.   On <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/mohammad-aftab-alam-statement-being-recorded-in-rautahat">November 4, 2019</a>, the Rautahat District Court started recording Alam’s statements. The 800-page investigation recommended imprisonment until death or life imprisonment along with confiscation of Alam’s property on the charge of murder.  On November 2019, Gauri Shankar Ram Chamar, a victim of the brick kiln massacre appealed for his security when he stated Alam’s henchmen abducted him and took him captive for four days to change the statement he had recorded in court.  He was also offered money to change his statement or else he will be killed. Alam also tried to make Amina Khatun the widow of Mohammed Osi Akhtar (a local killed in the bomb blast) change her statement to file stating that Osi was working abroad in exchange for money.  She later backtracked after media reported she had already received an official death certificate for her late husband. Osi Akhtar’s mother Ruksana was killed by an unidentified group after she complained about Alam and others involved in the death of her son in the bomb blast.  On November 15, 2019, Rautahat District Court sent Alam to jail. Alam continuously wrote petitions for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/10/208510/">bail</a> but all went in vain. On May 2020 police raided Aftab’s house to search for his brother, Mahatab Alam another alleged perpetrator of the incident. The Mayor of Rajpur Municipality, Sheikh Shakil condemned the unilateral <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-2/2020/05/23/police-raided-mohammed-aftab-alam-s-home-in-rautahat-on-thursday-night-in-search-of-his-brother">impromptu raid</a> that disturbed the Alam family and the community.  This revealed the structure of Alam’s influence who is one of few people who have been apprehended and suffered a strong public backlash. It took more than a decade to bring him to justice.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-the-nepali-elephants 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/a6ca9b0d-9f84-4cd0-b246-05ea3c359e09.jpg Part II: The Nepali Elephants The elephant ivory trade has thousands of years of history; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ifaw.org/international/journal/what-is-ivory">elephant ivory</a> has been used from luxury goods to Chinese medicine. There are various splendid sculptures with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ebenist.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Friedl_LR.pdf">historical significance</a> made from ivory.  Ivory was imported to Nepal from India, and this market <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/140/1403584241.pdf">collapsed in 2001</a>. Nepal generally does not have a much detailed story other ivory trade but the real story of the elephant goes on riding the elephant and the sale of the animal.  Elephants are powerful animals. As a result, it is very difficult to tame them. Therefore, mahout uses a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thirdrockadventures.com/page/why-we-banned-elephants-riding">gruesome process</a> of taming the elephants by beating them to make them submissive. Through constant torture and pressure, the animal suffers a lifetime fear of mahouts. The profession of managing elephants remains risky because if the elephants get angry, it is able to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2023/09/02/mahouts-take-a-hazardous-job-in-their-stride">throw the mahout</a> from its back.   The human riding the elephant leads to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://weareworldchallenge.com/the-truth-about-elephant-riding-and-animal-cruelty/">spinal injury</a>, which can cause excruciating pain to elephants. These have caused a rising voice against the elephant riding culture.  Many high-profile operators have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2018/01/16/ban-on-elephant-safari-will-kill-business-say-operators">stopped elephant rides</a>. There has also been a decrease in elephant rides as humans intend to find more humane treatment of elephants.  However, the story of the domesticated elephant only becomes more complicated with this scenario, especially after the COVID-19 outbreak.  There are 100 private captive elephants in Sauraha and elephants tourism came to a standstill in 2020 after the pandemic.  The condition made it extremely difficult for owners of elephants to keep supporting the giant animal as a result it increased the tendency of animal smuggling.  In 2022, Area Police Office Pokhariya detained three people who were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-2/2022/03/29/captive-elephants-being-smuggled-to-india-through-parsa">smuggling elephants</a> from Sauraha, Nepal to India. One of the smugglers- Alam bought elephants from Chitwan kept them in Parsa and searched for a suitable time to cross the border. These people have domesticated elephants without permission.  The elephants are traded for around Rs. 1-3 million in India. Trading elephants is banned by CITIES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973.  The captive elephants sold to India are generally old and diseased. Elephants are used in various temples and religious functions such as weddings in India.  The exploitation of elephants is a sad but complex story.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-the-palaces-of-western-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/b2f5063b-c1ac-4c44-948c-136e7c49241a.jpg Part II: The Palaces of Western Nepal Nepal, a young republic, is blessed with numerous palaces scattered around the country. Some palaces were handed to the Government of Nepal, some suffered a sad fate, and some are now trying to make economic sense.  In countries that go through communist revolutions- the first structures to be destroyed are palace structures- one of these was the Achham Palace.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2022/08/23/fourteen-years-since-reconstruction-started-achham-durbar-is-still-incomplete">Achham Palace</a> was a three-storied tall building with 30 rooms and was built in the style of Kathmandu’s Hanuman Dhoka Durban Square. Stunning Nepali Intricate woodwork adorned the palace.   The palace was sold to the Government of Nepal by the Achhami kings and was used for the Achham Chief District Office. In 2002, Maoists bombed the Durbar killing 122 people including Mohan Singh Khatri Chief District Officer. The reconstruction started in 2008 after the peace process started but remained incomplete even till 2022.  Times have changed and Nepal once again has tried to attract tourism by utilizing its magnificent heritage.  One of the famous palaces outside Kathmandu is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ekantipur.com/ampnews/2016-02-16/20160216101507.html?is_ifooter=1">Rani Mahal</a> in Palpa. The palace was commissioned by Khadga Samsher in memory of his beloved wife Tej Kumari.  This palace is compared to the Taj Mahal of Nepal, as the building was built in memory of a late wife like the Mughal Emperor of India.  In 2020 an idea was initiated to convert Rani Mahal into a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2021/05/18/that-s-one-monumental-task">heritage hotel</a>, but it sparked controversy among the stakeholders. The opponents of the decision claimed the conversion would lose its charm and authenticity while the proponents including the Hotel Association Nepal believed it would preserve the beauty and grandeur of the palace. The argument was made that Nepal has not been able to attract high-end tourists to such unique heritage sites. These sites have also been a prime destination for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/rafting-in-kaligandaki-drawing-good-number-of-domestic-tourists/">rafting</a>, one of the journeys from Ruru Chetra Dham Ridi to Ramdi is a 25km long water journey, and one of the attractions while rafting is the stunning view of the Rani mahal.  Ancient Monument Preservation Act 2013 deals with the preservation of cultural and heritage sites but fails to mention how routinely such restoration work will be carried out while the budget for such heritage sites has been grossly insufficient for periodic maintenance.   Nepal has incredible stories on its ancient palaces. Some are dark and unknown to even Nepalis.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/18/215242/">Rajkot Palace</a> The Rajkot suffered a battle with Pyuthan in which the Rajkot king lost the battle, leading to the entire generation of Rajkot royalty being killed and their soldiers pushed to their death from a cliff.  Palaces reveal amazing stories of love, tragedy, and bravery, and as each hill in Nepal has its own royalty, many thrilling documentaries can be made on the subject.  The examples in the post are only the tip of the iceberg. Or the “tip of the Everest”!  Nepal is an enchanted country of adventure and history, stories need to be told before it’s too late….  Send us an email at: <a href="mailto:nepalayaproductions@gmail.com">nepalayaproductions@gmail.com</a> to learn more about these amazing places. https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-the-struggles-of-dalits 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/5e711f4e-bbce-4362-962a-080637faa90f.png Part II: The Struggles of Dalits There are stories of Dalits, who are traditionally considered untouchables, being beaten or fined for entering temples. In one case, <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/gandaki-province/2022/12/06/three-people-sent-to-prison-for-caste-based-discrimination">Manoj Sunar</a>, whose father Sammar Bahadur Sunar died in Dubai in 2020, intended to observe post-cremation rituals in a public building for 13 days.  Three men namely- Dev Bahadur Thapa, Ram Bahadur GC, and Janak Thapa barred Sunar from entering the public hall stating a Dalit couldn’t enter the building.   Mohan Sunar, the brother of the deceased filed a complaint.   The men were subsequently sentenced to a one-year prison term and fined Rs. 50,000. Demonstrating that the Nepalese government functions as per the rule of law.   The Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment in Gandaki Province has been providing financial assistance for constructing entrance gates, community buildings, museums, walk trails, etc. for tourists diverted away from Bandipur. One of the major recipients of these initiatives is <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/tanahun-homestays-packed-in-season-quiet-in-off-season/">Aapshwara Community Homestay</a> which is promoted by the Dalit Community in Byas Municipality-13. These initiatives are helping the Dalit communities.   Dalits who were historically barred from entering temples have served as priests, high-ranking government bureaucrats, ministers, and even international recognition- revealing a society that is progressing. Some are now becoming priestesses in temples.  <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/02/20/first-dalit-woman-cdo-says-caste-discrimination-is-an-affront-to-society">Sita Pariyar</a>, the first Dalit woman to serve as Chief District Officer, stated that she suffered double discrimination, the first caste-based discrimination, and another gender-based discrimination. While young she wondered why she was treated differently- After finishing her master's, she entered civil service and has had a successful career.  The story of Dalits in a higher <a href="https://idsn.org/wp-content/uploads/user_folder/pdf/New_files/Nepal/2013/Dalit_Representation_in_National_Politics_of_Nepal_-_2012.pdf">political position</a> is older, Dhanman Singh Pariyar representing the Nepali Congress became a member of the Advisory Assembly in 1952 which worked as a quasi-parliament.  During the era of Rashtriya Panchayat, Dhanman Singh Pariyar in 1962, was nominated by the king to be a member of the Parliament.  Three other people also became Members of Rashtriya Panchayat through the nomination of the king; among them, Hira Lal Bishwakarma became the first assistant minister in 1974. Similarly, in 1984, he became Minister of the state. Between 1990-2006 five others became Assistant Ministers out of which three of them were in an extremely short-lived period of direct rule of King Gyanendra.  In 2006, Girija Prasad Koirala appointed Man Bahadur Bishwakarma as Minister of State for Environment and Science and Technology, after which some have become full ministers.  <a href="https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/bishnu-maya-pariyar-the-gorkha-girl-taking-jersey-city-by-storm-29311">Bishnu Maya Pariyar</a>, the daughter of a tailor was severely bullied in school, but then she met John Brookman a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, who tutored her in science. John Brookman assisted Bishnu in getting into a University of Wisconsin program. She then founded the Association of Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN), and in 2013 she received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) to honor her contributions.   In 2015 the City of Louisville, Kentucky honored Bishnu Maya Pariyar at the recommendation of Mayor Greg E. Fischer.  The challenges and struggles have also laid the foundation for opportunities for the Dalit Community. There are still issues to work through, but Nepal is moving through a legal and social transformation to shed the practices of the past, it is a story of lives who are relentlessly working to lead the change.  Note: The image is a mixed work created by Kripendra Amatya  Sources of Original Photos:<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/advocacy_project/9454792667">https://www.flickr.com/photos/advocacy_project/9454792667</a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/82898203@N08/8651497176">https://www.flickr.com/photos/82898203@N08/8651497176</a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/82898203@N08/8650315411">https://www.flickr.com/photos/82898203@N08/8650315411</a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/internationalrivers/3438741575/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/internationalrivers/3438741575/</a>  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-the-sweating-bhimsen 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/625ae0d3-b902-4ce0-949a-30740f804047.jpeg Part II: The Sweating Bhimsen <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dccdolakha.gov.np/ne-brief-introduction/">Dolakha</a> the region previously known as Abhayapur is an ancient trade transit to Tibet through the route of Lamabar, Rachi (Lepchi) during the Lichchhivi and Malla era.  It is uncertain how the term Dolakha emerged.  There is a tale that in the Tibetan language ‘Do’ means stone, ‘La’ means temple, and ‘Kha’ means house. Dolakha is famous for the Dolakha Bhimsen idol which has a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/bhimsen-idol-perspires-prez-to-send-puja-materials-for-atonement-worship/">history of perspiring</a>. But before delving into the tradition of perspiring, the tradition of Bhimsen and the stories surrounding it has to be understood.  Newars (the indigenous community of Kathmandu) has a strong history of worshipping Bhimsen, the patron god of trade and commerce. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalisansar.com/special-stories/lalitpur-nepals-abode-of-shrines-and-durbars/">Bhimsen shrines</a> are very popular in the Newar tradition and various <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2023/09/09/bhimsen-jatra-celebrated">festivals</a> are organized in honor of the god.  There are remarks that traders from Bhaktapur settled down in Dolakha to conduct trade between Nepal and Tibet. However, the standard narrative of Dolkhali Newar's identity is very different as they claim to be the oldest Newar settlement, established by Bhimsen.  However, the earliest evidence of Bhimsen worshipping is from 1540 and from the time of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hinduaesthetic.medium.com/worship-of-bh%C4%ABma-in-nepal-374208f4032c">Mahendra Malla</a>’s copper inscription, the cult of connecting with Indian heroes may have been adapted later.  Bhimsen is very popular in Nepal for one particular reason- as discussed in the beginning it is a god that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/bhimsen-idol-perspires-prez-to-send-puja-materials-for-atonement-worship/">perspires</a>, but this event is seen as a bad omen.  According to historian Tirtha Narayan Joshi, Bhimsen's idol started to perspire during the reign of the then King Girvan Yuddha Bir Bikram Shah Dev.  The idol perspired before the 1934 earthquake (B.S. 2007), the demise of the Panchayat government in 1990, the royal massacre on June 1, 2001, and the people’s movement and then the idol ‘perspired’ four times before the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.  On September 26, 2017, from 2.55 pm to 5.15 pm the idol perspired and the local administration informed the Office of the President about the incident and urged them to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/atonement-worship-bhimeshwor-temple-prasad-sent-prez">perform an atonement worship at a nearby temple</a>.  In February 2020, the main priest Kasi Prasad Shrestha entered the idol temple and witnessed the idol perspiring from the right and left sides from 6.25 am to 8.30. More eye-witness saw sweat drops clearly.  In March 2020, Nepal saw its first lockdown due to COVID-19.  The perspiring god phenomenon- is it because of water formed from the steam of food that is brought as an offering, or is it a bad omen?  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-uncovering-bullion 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/0ce53274-c3ec-4a4b-898a-b23a134fb1d6.jpg Part II: Uncovering Bullion IntroductionOn March 3rd, 2018, police discovered the lifeless body of Sanam Shakya, shrouded in a towel, inside a vehicle. Shakya’s death initially appeared to be another tragic murder in the crime-ridden bordering area of Nepal. The Morang District Police Office promptly convened a press conference, unveiling the apprehended suspects and presenting a detailed account of the tragic incident. Police then altered their initial statement as a result of a formal complaint that reached the Nepal Police Headquarters. The complaint stated that the local Morang Police neglected to investigate the case properly, and the Home Ministry in response, organized a special probe committee.  Shortly after, the Home Minister made a usual remark referring to an incident of over 30 kilos of gold being seized. His statement implied that they hoped to be catching “some big fish” as a result of the seized gold.  Social media went into a frenzy. Some users commented that the remarks were directed at the Prime Minister, and a Parliamentarian from Nepal Workers and Peasant’s Party (NWPP), Prem Suwal, inquired if the <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/lawmaker-suwal-suspects-pm-s-involvement-in-33-kg-gold-smuggling/?categoryId=81">Prime Minister</a> was behind the gold smuggling.  When the case didn’t reveal prominent politicians, a portion of the public was upset, assuming that the case was closed without a proper investigation. Nevertheless, the event did reveal a fascinating story.   Modulus OperandiRashtriya Prajanatara Party (RPP) Democratic leader Bhujung Gurung had been involved in gold smuggling for over three decades, dating back to the days of the Panchayat regime. The 64-year-old politician had smuggled 2-4 kg of gold from Bangkok to Kathmandu by concealing the precious metal in the restroom of Thai Airways planes. In 2013, Bhujung formed an alliance with Chunamani Upreti aka Gore.  <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/valley/2018/10/16/gore-aide-held-in-dubai">Benu Shrestha</a>, who formerly operated a jewelry shop in New Road, Kathmandu, came into contact with Gore. He subsequently sold the shop and relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to engage in the illegal shipment of gold. Similarly, <a href="https://www.makalukhabar.com/2019/02/376278/">Hari Sharan Khadka</a> who had gone to UAE for employment, later turned to smuggling and became one of the five Nepalis supplying gold to Gore.  The gang collected money from Nepali citizens in Hong Kong to purchase gold, which would then be smuggled into Nepal. The smuggling would take place multiple times per month. During DIG Govind Niraula's tenure as TIA police chief, he was in contact with the smugglers.  Gore revealed that Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shyam Khatri charged Rs. 50,000 per kg for facilitating the clearance of the smuggled gold from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Khatri’s involvement aided in the smuggling of approximately 400-500 kg of gold. Gore outlined <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/gore-accuse-ssp-shyam-khatri-of-channeling-the-smuggled-gold/">three tactics</a> for smuggling gold into the country.  The first method was to bring gold via Fly Dubai Airlines, storing it in Khatri’s chamber at the airport, and then transporting it away. The second method was to entrust gold to reliable passengers who would then take it to the pickup vehicle, the vehicle would then go to the garage, bypassing the security checks. The third method used a separate ladder at a Thai Airways plane to smuggle gold, avoiding formal channels of security checks. This ladder had the capacity to conceal 12 bars of gold, each bar weighing 2.6 kg.  Since 2015, the Gore gang has smuggled 3,800 kg of gold with a market value of Rs. 17 billion from Dubai through Tribhuvan International Airport in 421 trips.  However, the grand smuggling operation finally came to a halt after the unexpected robbery of 2018.  <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/from-a-to-z-heres-what-happened-in-the-most-talked-about-gold-smuggling-case.html">The robbery and the murder</a> <a href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2022/05/230725/">Ramesh Upreti</a>, the brother of Gore, had sent gold from Dubai to Nepal on an Air Arabia flight. On January 21, 2018, 33.5 kilograms of gold entered Nepal. Two airport staff, Sanu Ban and Punya Prasad Lama Tamang, received the gold, eluding the airport's security measures, and transported the gold to Anamnagar. They were supposed to hand it over to Gore’s office in Anamnagar, Kathmandu. However, at Anamnagar, five men stopped the duo, claiming to be police from Gaushala, and robbed them.  Upon learning about the robbery, Gore returned from India to retrieve the gold after hearing the news from Ban. The gold belonged to Mohan Kumar Agrawal aka MK, who had pressured Bhujung to find it. Bhujung, in turn, pressured Gore, even if it meant resorting to murdering a few people.  Ban was confident that Gurung had sent bouncers from bars in Kathmandu to commit the robbery.  Gore did not hesitate to go after them, the majority of them being mules, and during the torture, Gore made sure to document his questioning.    Gore had entrusted the responsibility of keeping the <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/murdered-sanam-shakya-kept-records-of-transactions">records of smuggled gold transactions</a> to Sanam Shakya. He had warned Shakya not to meet his girlfriend, fearing that she might leak information. Despite the warning, Shakya continued to secretly meet his girlfriend without informing Gore. <a href="https://en.setopati.com/social/122717">Gore suspected Sanam Shakya</a> when he learned Shakya was in Kathmandu on the day of the robbery since he had lied to Gore that he was out of town when in fact he was in the Capital. Shakya had actually come to Kathmandu from Biratnagar to meet his girlfriend.  On March 2, 2018, Gore ordered a hit on Sanam Shakya. He called Sub-Inspector Balkrishna Sanjel, his ally in the Metropolitan Police Crime Division, to <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2019/03/13/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-biggest-gold-smuggling-racket-in-nepal">get rid of the body</a>.  Investigation, Arrest, and Imprisonment Morang District Police created a report stating that Shakya was kidnapped and murdered in the southern part of Siraha for his involvement in gold smuggling.  They then held a press conference to make the suspects public and detailed the report of the incident. Later, the police changed their statement and said Shakya was actually in a different area, not where they initially stated. A complaint was filed with Nepal Police Headquarters, alleging that Morang Police had botched the investigation. In response, the Home Ministry formed a probe committee under the leadership of Joint Secretary Ishwar Poudel to investigate the matter. It was suspected police personnel were involved and changed their statement to help the mastermind, Gore, skip town, and run away. Police raided Gore's home in Baneshwor, where they found gold bars and cash in his clothes.  Premlal Chaudhary, a Nepal Airlines employee who worked for the gang, was arrested, but he committed suicide while in custody. This further raised suspicion about the involvement of police in trying to protect the kingpin.  On April 27, Interpol issued a diffusion notice against Gore, suspecting he was hiding in a foreign land. On May 22, Gore was <a href="https://en.setopati.com/social/122836">arrested in India</a>.  In the end, Gore and his accomplices were sentenced to <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/six-get-life-term-for-smuggling-gold-murder">life imprisonment</a>.  Conclusion Gold smuggling in Nepal has been prevalent due to the direct involvement of airport officials and security personnel. It also highlights cases where the crime is committed with the direct involvement of politicians, but only revealing parties from older, less relevant political agencies.  This may have occurred because the parties in power have the capacity to erase their links or establish a better umbrella of protection for their criminal syndicate.  These crimes have persisted for a long time, and the emergence of such sensational stories does not necessarily indicate a rise or decline in corruption. However, whenever such crimes are exposed, these incidents definitely serve as a deterrent and may encourage individuals to seek alternative paths rather than continue down the road of illegal activity.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-unknown-side-of-flesh-trade 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/a7367497-be41-4892-aa43-3bbc0de20f3d.jpeg PART II: Unknown Side of Flesh Trade Nepal has a dark reputation as women get smuggled out of the country. Mainstream literature focuses on the victims and their lives, but the history of trafficking from Nepal to other countries and its impact on society is rarely discussed.  It is a universal phenomenon, poor women were often brought for the pleasure of ruling oligarchs. In Nepal, the Rana oligarchs (1846-1951) bought women, to serve them as their servants and for sexual pleasure. After the Rana regime ended, the <a href="https://yubarajsangroula.com.np/assets/uploads/0e59e-dimension-of-traffcking-probelm.pdf">traders</a> supplying young girls needed to find a different client base. These traders were able to establish connections with Indian brothels. By the 1960s, the nexus of Nepalese girls being sent to Indian brothels was well-established. The difference in language and customs made it difficult for these girls to flee or report to the police.  There is also notoriety of poor girls in Nepal being <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/25/nepal.kamlari/">sold for bonded labor</a> in one-year contracts. The middleman may transport a young girl to a distant city, making it difficult for family members to communicate. While there are assumptions that they were <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/parents-sell-off-children-to-make-fast-buck">taken for adoption</a>, it's more likely that they have been trafficked. Girls were tricked into fraudulent marriages, employment promises, and even abductions either by strangers or relatives to profit from girl trafficking. A girl was married off at the early age of 12, six years later her husband Tikaram Tamang took her to Kathmandu for work but was later taken to India and was forced into the sex trade in Mumbai and subsequently ended up in a brothel in Delhi. This brothel was operated by Radha Tamang, the third wife of <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/ground-zero-a-himalayan-travesty-a-trafficking-survivors-fight-for-justice-in-nepal/article26218654.ece">Sun Bahadur Tamang.</a> Sun Bahadur is a politician, accused of trafficking more than 200 girls.  In the district in the north of Kathmandu- Nuwakot, its rural parts lack good hotels, so the police and administrators often stay at the homes of influential people like Sun Bahadur. It was an open secret that Sun Bahadur sold girls and had multiple wives running brothels in India. However, in May 2017, despite being convicted of human trafficking by the Nuwakot District Court, Sun Bahadur was elected as Ward Chair of Dupcheshwor Rural Municipality-1. In 2019, the Patan High Court <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/nhrc-highlights-need-of-combined-efforts-in-post-disaster-humanitarian-assistance-1/">acquitted</a> him, raising doubts if he truly was innocent or if he used his political connection to escape justice.  Another individual, Kale Tamang, also known as Chhopa, was caught in 2011. In his 16-year career in women trafficking, he had trafficked at least 400 women and was also able to get out on bail by posting Rs. 6 million.  In 2023, an article mentioned that in the last two <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/editorial/2023/01/03/harsh-laws-stiff-penalties">fiscal years</a>, only 270 cases related to human trafficking were registered. This clearly indicates people are reluctant to report cases, despite more than <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/200836792_Human_trafficking_in_Nepal_A_rising_concern_for_all">two hundred thousand Nepali women</a> working in the sex trade industry in India, and every year thousands of women are trafficked. Yet, criminals are either <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/human-trafficking-western-nepal.html">rarely caught</a> or able to secure bail. This situation arises due to victims’ reluctance to file cases, often as they are either illiterate or hesitant while the laws are ambiguous.  More than 5,000 women from regions like northern Nuwakot ended up in brothels in Mumbai and other cities in India. The population of a place called Ghangphedi in Nuwakot went down below the replacement fertility rate. Even after the girls are missing the standard response of parents would be that their daughters were studying at a college in the city.  The men of the region <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18564">struggle to find brides</a> for marriage, and in some cases, women who are sent back to Nepal after they suffer from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), sometimes get accepted in marriage as there is a shortage of brides.  Numerous documentaries and videos address women trafficking, predominantly emphasizing the experience of trafficked women. However, there are other dimensions to explore when analyzing the complex issue, including the historical context, the backgrounds of the traffickers, and the perspective of bachelor men who couldn’t find a bride- all of which reveal an unknown side of the flesh trade.    https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/partiiinepalscommunityforest 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/ccac1606-032f-4bfc-a54a-d6e4159ab23b.jpeg Part III: Nepal’s Community Forest Nepal’s national forest land handed to local communities has been praised internationally. It is considered a success story of forest regenration. However, Nepal’s forest regeneration has a complex condition that is affected by Nepalese culture and migration patterns. In reality, unlike in the past when people would happily take forest products, at present people are no longer interested in forest products even if it is delivered to them for free. Locals don’t need firewood much anymore.  Due to better road networks and a steady flow of remittances, locals have shifted from fuel wood to fossil fuel. The branches may not have been very desirable but timber remains a major product that is still<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2021/08/16/timber-worth-millions-missing-from-kapilvastu-community-forest"> smuggled</a>. On March 6, 2020, the Division Forest Office in Kapilvastu granted permission to Shringighat Community Forest (the largest community forest in Kapilvastu district) Consumers Group to cut down 27 trees (508 cubic feet of wood) from the community forest. On May 28, 2020, the government ordered forest offices to keep the logs inside the forest until further notice. On January 27, 2021, the government scrapped the decision and started to transport logs that were cut and recorded from the forest areas to the field depots.Forest technicians then conducted a field measurement of the logs at the field depot. The timber logs were found missing when the technicians were measuring logs. The logs might have gone missing while they were being transported to the field depot or inside the forest. The Community Forest Consumer Committee kept the incident hidden but after some forest employees disclosed the information, the incident came to light- 939,44 cubic feet of logs were missing. The committee submitted its preliminary report recently stating that logs were stolen from the community forest but it does not mention how and from where the logs were stolen nor does it state who is responsible for the incident. The stolen logs cost around Rs. 700,000 based on the minimum rate fixed while selling the timber to consumers. However, the market price is more than threefold.The government imposed a ban on the collection, transportation, and sale of timber from the community forest which has made timber theft widespread. Similarly, in<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2020/06/02/a-community-forest-in-palpa-smuggling-timber-during-lockdown"> Tilahar Sakhar Salleri Community Forest</a> in Tansen Municipality-11 illegal smuggling of timber caused the detention of Ganesh Prasad Ghimire chairman of the Forest Consumers’ Committee as well as its treasurer Amar Bahadur Pun, and trader Nabin Ghimire in connection with the incident. The committee was permitted to cut 2,074 cubic feet of timber but it tore down 5,600 cubic feet of timber, cutting down an additional 3,526 cubic feet .The government permitted chopping of trees first and then banned the sale and distribution of the timber which has caused 3000 cubic feet of saal timber<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/timber-decaying-in-kailali-forests"> to decay</a> in 92 community forests. In Nepal, in 1992 there was only 26% of<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/150937/how-nepal-regenerated-its-forests"> forest coverage</a>, which grew to 45% in 2016 while Nepal is forced to rely on timber<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/80-per-cent-timber-imported-foreign-countries"> imported</a> from other countries. As climate change and temperatures increase, the forests have become drier, and<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/northwest-forests-are-becoming-denser-and-more-vulnerable-fire"> without the forest being appropriately thinned;</a> the forest fire has harmed both wildlife and human settlements. Due to legal issues, Nepal has not been able to take advantage of its forest resources. As wildlife conservation and forest growth in Nepal, the human-wildlife conflict has also increased.These have caused humans to fall into the poverty trap and be forced to migrate which will be discussed in our next blog. https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/raute-the-king-of-jungle 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/1ec91b6c-2b0c-40e9-8973-5722af0695fb.jpg Raute: The King of Jungle <a href="https://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/kailash/pdf/kailash_02_04_01.pdf">Raute</a>, a nomadic community, maintains a primitive way of life. The community is not completely isolated from human civilization as they make wooden bowls and other forest products to trade them with other goods with the modern world.  They are the only few remaining hunting tribes that use nets to hunt land animals. Hunting and carving are conducted by men and gathering is done by women. They feel unlucky if villagers observe them during the hunt or while eating the game.  Raute wear their traditional attire, and survive through hunting and gathering- the visual images look exotic and extraordinary as a result many photographers and videographers have covered their story.   They would change their location as soon as <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/raute-community-agrees-to-live-in-wooden-houses/">someone died</a> and would burn their settlement before they left. As a result, they continued their nomadic lifestyle and lived in tents.  Two decades before, their lives were pleasurable as they would carry utensils made of wood and visit door to door to exchange them for food and vegetables. In the wooden box created by Raute, the grains would need to be filled to the top to barter the bowl with the grains, and if there is a lid, the grains must overflow.  They used to appear in better conditions in protein-deficient areas, and would not be afraid of famine and indebtedness that farmers suffer. They have a leader whose only power is to manage internal and external conflicts and deal with villagers. The aged look after children after they couldn’t conduct difficult work. Respecting them doesn’t influence their ability in group making.  Raute worships two gods, Bhuyar, the god of hunting, and Dare Mastah during times of illness. Apart from them, they also worship Ban Devi and Ban Jhankri if they cause illness.   As Raute can’t find timber, they are having a hard time creating kitchenware items for trade; they are<a href="https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/climate-change-driving-nomadic-rautes-out-of-forests-32238"> losing their traditional way of life</a>.  Guras Rural Municipality distributes a <a href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2022/01/255232/">social security allowance</a> of Rs.4,000 to Raute residing in Chhedagad Municipality-5. This has allowed them to celebrate Hindu customs while their <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/raute-people-gear-up-to-celebrate-dashain/">death ritual is different than Hindus</a>.  The monthly <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2023/08/05/a-peek-into-the-nomadic-life-of-the-rautes">allowance</a> has enabled them to leave their craft but is contributing to the rising issue of <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/01/14/lack-of-care-alcoholism-contributing-to-high-infant-mortality-in-raute-community">alcoholism</a>. Their culture and tradition are on the verge of extinction as they neither go hunting nor visit the village for food- they have gone mainstream as they slaughter goats like others do and prefer chicken.  The forests have thinned across the district, and their settlements are gradually transforming into towns. Dashain has been costly for Rautes as they confirm mainstream culture. The government allocates a budget for them, and yet they are <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/rautes-begging-to-celebrate-dashain-despite-welfare-funds-worth-millions/">poor- they depend on begging</a>.  The Karnali State government has been working to distribute <a href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2019/19/27185/">citizenship</a> to the nomadic Raute community with a population estimated at 146, which was based on the identity cards issued to them in the Guran Rural Municipality.  There are <a href="https://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/kailash/pdf/kailash_04_04_01.pdf">myths</a> that Raute has effective magical powers and spells they use to catch monkeys and they would enchant humans, especially women if they are found in small numbers. There are also rumors that they kidnap small kids and offer human sacrifice to forest gods.  Raute girls typically marry at about 15-16, while men marry between the age of 20-25. They abstain from sexual relations before marriage and maintain a monogamous life, but will remarry if the wife dies. Sons and daughters receive an equal share in utensils, reflecting their equal rights.   The 143 Rautes, despite having a culture to migrate after the demise of their family member <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/nomadic-rautes-shift-to-salyan-from-surkhet">continued to live in Damar</a>, Gurbhakot Municipality, Surkhet for ten years. However, two young girls from the nomadic tribe got drunk, taken to a hotel, <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/three-arrested-for-sexually-abusing-raute-women/">sexually abused</a>, recorded the incident, and video made public through Facebook by local youths. As a result, Raute decided to shift their settlement to Gurbhakot while the youths and the hotel owner served jail sentences and fines.  After the incident, the Karnali Province <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/karnali-govt-preparing-raute-conservation-policy">introduced a policy</a> to prohibit outsiders from entering the Raute settlement and a one-door policy for relief distribution while protecting their norms, values, and culture.  The nomadic community is a vulnerable group that still offers insight into how humans lived before the civilizations started. These exotic communities found in remote parts of Nepal can provide amazing stories about the exotic life on our planet.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/red-sandalwood-smugglers-trail-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/73816ae1-7537-45f2-b53e-b7617b60ea05.jpeg Red Sandalwood Smuggler's Trail in Nepal IntroductionRed Sandalwood, a botanical wonder, has even been the subject of a film: “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushpa:_The_Rise">Pushpa: The Rise</a>,” a story that revolves around a tale of the smuggling of red sandalwood. The film was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://inshorts.com/en/news/allu-arjuns-pushpa-the-rise-screened-at-moscow-film-festival-1661954430970">screened</a> and received recognition at the Moscow International Film Festival in 2022.  Thriving exclusively within the embrace of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://forestlegality.org/risk-tool/species/red-sandalwood">Eastern Ghats</a>’ soil of India, the wood of red sandalwood carries both medical and religious importance.   In China, red Sandalwood is known as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chineseantiques.co.uk/chinese-zitan-wood-history-identify/">Zitan</a> and was used to make exquisite furniture adorning the Forbidden City- an emblem of craftsmanship that was used by the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.  Nepal’s diplomatic balance and relaxed borders, make it easier to smuggle red sandalwood. The route traveled into Nepal from India and then transferred to China.  A subsidiary of Alibaba in Nepal- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.daraz.com.np/products/rakta-chandan-sandal-powder-200g-i124539830.html">Daraz</a> also sells 200 g. of Red Sandalwood powder at Rs. 350. However, red sandalwood is a restricted item to export.  Nepal with its porous borders and strategic position has remained a hotspot for a covert network of rare treasures as people are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money.  Stretching back to 2009, the pursuit of cultivating Red Sandalwood was initiated by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=16070">KB Gurung</a> on his private land in Patan.  2. Smuggling Nexus:The red sandalwood smuggling nexus extends to the highest echelons of office in Nepal, as revealed by the media. In July 2007, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/cops-ae%cb%9cconnivingae-with-smugglers-of-sanders">news exposed</a> the involvement of key figures in the Jhapa District Administration Office. The Purchase Officers and the former sub-inspector of police were implicated in red sandalwood smuggling. The contraband was concealed within sacks of coal and transported using 30 trucks.  Each month, a network of officials allegedly profited from the illicit trade.  Red sandalwood is sold for around Rs 3 million per kilogram if they can successfully smuggle the wood into the bordering town of Khasa, Tibet. As security measures increased at the Tatopani and Rasuwa border passes, the smugglers adapted, turning to the Urai pass.  There are cases in 2016 when 40 quintals were smuggled from Bajura to Tibet with the help of 123 porters and in 2019, when 35 quintals of wood were passed by 100 porters from Dailekh, revealing how the West is also being used for illegal trade but no contraband was confiscated from the region.    The trade of red sandalwood gave rise to smaller criminal factions along the Araniko Highway which highlight the far-reaching consequences of the illicit activity.  Indo-Nepal Relations On June 18, 1975, Nepal signed CITIES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), in which Red Sandalwood is listed.   The international treaty obliges Nepal to return the smuggled sandalwood to its country of origin, in this case, India.  In January 2020, India was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://aawaajnews.com/political-news-in-nepal/government-allows-india-to-take-back-173072-kg-red-sandalwood/">granted permission</a> to retrieve 173,072 kg of red sandalwood from Nepal within 90 days.  Sandalwood can reshape Nepal-China and India relations and can play a significant role in helping build a strong security network. Similarly, the smuggling trails create a risk for gangs and other threats that lead to an increase in crime.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/religious-denominations-in-hinduism 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/c32d91bf-ac3f-4e35-9372-505b1d667f3e.jpg Religious Denominations in Hinduism Hinduism is not purely a monolithic religious movement, like the Abrahamic religion in the West, but is a collection of various religious movements that have existed at least since the Vedas, when the earliest religious doctrine in Hinduism, was composed.  The major religious groups developed in the Indian subcontinent could be categorized into two key groups- the Hindus, which accepted Veda supremacy, and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Arama%E1%B9%87a">Sramana</a> (which includes Buddhism and Jain), which actually doesn’t accept the Vedic doctrine.  Among the Sramana movement, Buddhism is widely connected with Nepal, however, the <a href="https://www.jainfoundation.in/JAINLIBRARY/books/jain_presence_in_nepal_269705_hr6.pdf">historical Jainism in Nepal</a> is rarely discussed.  Producing a well-researched documentary on Hinduism or any of the sects of Hinduism can be challenging because of literalist beliefs that do not coincide with archeological, linguistic, or other scientific findings, as a result, such projects could be considered blasphemous by Hindus.  This post can only lay out a brief overview of complex relations between the various denominations.  The oldest literature of Hinduism is Rig Veda which is centered around <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indra">Indra</a>, king of the Gods. However, Indra later in Hinduism, loses its importance and slowly acts as an assisting figure for heroes who worship lesser important gods in Rig Veda, such as lord <a href="https://sri-aurobindo.co.in/workings/matherials/rigveda/01/01-022.htm">Vishnu</a> and <a href="https://sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv07059.htm">Rudra</a>, commonly known as lord Shiva.  The four key denominations of Hinduism are ‘Vishnu worshipping- Vaishnavism’, ‘Shiva worshipping- Saivism’, ‘Goddess worshipping- Shaktism’, and ‘nonsectarian- Smatism’. Vishnav is the single largest Hindu sect with nearly two-thirds of Hindus <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131020100448/http://media.johnwiley.com.au/product_data/excerpt/47/04706745/0470674547-196.pdf">classified</a> as Vaishnav while a quarter of Hindus adhere to Shaivism, and around 3.2% of Hindus adhere to Shaktism. Vaishnavs can be further split into worshippers of Ram, the divine protagonist of Ramayan, and Krishna, the divine protagonist of Mahabharat.  The Shavism movement gets even more complicated as there are considered to be nine groups of Shaivism. The earliest form of Shaivism existed since the 1st century CE.  Pasupata means the lord of the beast. There are two extreme schools developed from the Pasupata sect- Kalamukha, which means black-faced, and Kapalika, which means bearer of the skull bowl.  Another teacher, Gorakhnath, the founder of Natha Panth, is credited with formulating his creed by <a href="https://ithihas.wordpress.com/2022/03/27/a-brief-history-of-shaivism-ii/">merging Buddhist ideology</a> with Shiva and Shakti. This may give a better glimpse into how a Buddhist shrine in Kathmandu Nepal,  known as Bungadyo, was later rebranded as <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Karunamaya-Cult-Avalokitesvara-Matsyendranath-Valley-Nepal/dp/B00AD7I5KM">Macchendranath</a>, the teacher of Gorakhnath.  Again among followers of Gorkhanath, there is a denomination called <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kanphata-Yogi">Kanphata Yogi</a>. They are known a wearing large earrings, believed to hold supernatural powers. The group continues to divide into more and more sects as per the religious leaders due to its complex and liberal religious values.  The final question arises about the powerful religious institution that guides Hinduism.  As this post elaborates, Hinduism is not even an organized religion as seen in the Abrahamic religion and therefore it lacks a centralized figure. However, the difference between Hinduism and the Sramana movement, is that Hinduism believes in the supremacy of the Vedas, there remains an institution that works on the preservation of the <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/shankaracharyas-and-their-significance-in-sanatan-dharma-article-106766419">four Vedas by four Shankaracharya</a>.  Four Shankaracharya lead the four monasteries in four corners of India. Jyotir Math the custodian of Atharva Veda is located in Joshimath, Uttarakhand; Gorvardhan Math the custodian of Rig Veda is located in Puri, Odisha; Sringeri Sharada Peetham the custodian of Yajur Veda is located in Sringeri, Karnataka and Dwarka Sharada Peetham the custodian of Sam Veda is located in Dwarka, Gujarat.  <a href="https://scroll.in/article/816610/how-adi-shankaracharya-united-a-fragmented-land-with-philosophy-poetry-and-pilgrimage">Adi Shankaracharya</a>, the first Shankaracharya was a political sage who tried to bind the Indian subcontinent in Vedic lines.  In 1988, the World Hindu Conference was conducted in Kathmandu, then <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=4773">all four Shankaracharya attended</a>, in which the King of Nepal, Birendra was declared <a href="https://www.himalmag.com/cover/royal-hindutva">Vishva Hindu Samrat</a> (World Hindu Emperor).  After the royal massacre that killed Birendra and his immediate family, Gyanendra came into power. He sought <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nepal-king-seeks-shankaracharyas-blessings/articleshow/14201738.cms?from=mdr">Shankaracharya of Kanchi Peeth’s blessing</a> to maintain his legitimacy.  In 2004, Gyanendra was also declared a World Hindu Emperor and after he conducted a coup in 2005, the Hindu fundamentalists in India gave their support to Gyanendra.   Nepal is perceived as a country with religious complexities and remains a hotbed of political and religious activism. This is a great platform for potential documentaries on the subject.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/scars-of-slavery 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/931dec9e-bb40-4547-a9a1-9b4df9a04ecd.jpeg Scars of Slavery Slavery is an ancient and universal practice and has remained alive in Nepal even till the early 21st century.  Slavery is mentioned in the earliest <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://vedkabhed.com/index.php/2014/01/01/slavery-in-hinduism/">Hindu scripture</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/rig-veda-english-translation/d/doc836623.html">Rig Veda</a>, which gives hints of slavery being prevalent in Vedic society.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/manusmriti-with-the-commentary-of-medhatithi/d/doc201350.html">Manusmriti</a> another important Hindu literature also provides details of slavery that would help lay the foundation of the 14th century <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://itihasaa.com/legal-system/nyayabikashini-manabnyayashastra/">Manab Nyaya Shastra</a> (Code of Human Justice) which is one of the earliest written legal codes in Nepal and would legitimatize slavery.  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1524/9783486594355-011/pdf?licenseType=free">earliest evidence of slavery</a> in Nepal comes from the 7th-century inscription Anantalingesvara in Kathmandu Valley. The ancient inscriptions show that slaves were being assigned and gifted to the temple while slavery grew further in the last dynasty of Nepal- the Shah dynasty.  Jung Bahadur Rana’s visit to Britain in 1854 would create Muluki Aen another codified law inspired by the British legal system and created a foundation of the Nepali legal system. Ironically, while Britain had outlawed slavery in 1834 these modern values would not inspire orthodox Jung Bahadur Rana, the de facto ruler of Nepal, and slavery till 1926.  Some Nepalese admire <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.martinchautari.org.np/storage/files/sinhas-vol22-no2-article-bandana-gyawali.pdf">Chandra Shamsher</a> for his pursuit of ending slavery.  There is also literature that has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/slavery-memory-and-identity/for-civilizations-sake-legal-abolition-of-slavery-in-nepal-and-sierra-leone-in-a-global-perspective-192030/64B7FF23FFDE088E658DC677FD343625">credited the League of Nations</a> and its Slavery Commission to play a role in ending slavery in Nepal.  Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher used the trust money of the Pashupati temple to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=10966">compensate the slave owners</a>. This would lead to the end of an era where slave owners would be compensated for the loss of slavery, however, bonded labor would continue for another century.  In 2000 Nepal government abolished slavery in 2000 and again in 2006 Supreme Court decided to end slavery. Yet the stories of bonded labor slip in the news of Nepal.  Nepal also makes a significant story of people such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/from-kamlari-to-mp">Shanta Chaudhary</a> who from a bonded labor known as Kamlari ended up becoming a Member of the Constituent Assembly in 2008. Similarly, Krishni Tharu another Kamalari became Deputy Speaker of Province 5.  These rags-to-riches narratives feel as if the problem is completely solved but there are many stories that continue to be in despair to this day.  In Nepal, there are a variety of kinds of slavery, slavery in the Hills known as Haliya, and slavery in Terai known as Kamaiya. There is also Nepalese slavery abroad known as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceslam.org/our-publications/the-kafala-system-and-its-implications-for-nepali-domestic-workers">Kafala system</a>. Nepalese in Nepal have to pay exorbitant recruitment fees while in Gulf countries the sponsors (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-kafala-system">Kafeel</a>) pay money for sponsorship. In reality, the sponsor covers travel expenses, accommodation, and other expenses which creates the sponsor's legal right to control migrants' mobility as well as visa status as a result Nepalese would be enslaved in Nepal as well as abroad. Breaking the contract could lead to imprisonment or exiting the host country.  Between 2008 and 2019, 1,461 Nepalese <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2021/02/25/as-fifa-world-cup-2022-draws-closer-nepalis-continue-to-die-in-event-hosting-qatar-1614254672">died in Qatar</a> where the FIFA World Cup stadium was being constructed.  The scars of the past have caused people to remain poor and landless and these people intend to go abroad to make a living where again a new form of slavery continues to haunt the poor and suppressed.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/shaman-of-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/eac3035a-c1f5-4282-8c92-d13829e24ba6.png Shaman of Nepal Shamanism is considered the oldest religion in the world and it even gets associated with <a href="https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199766567/obo-9780199766567-0132.xml">Paleolithic cave paintings</a>. A shaman is a person who achieves an <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/shamanism">ecstatic religious experience</a>.  Even though Hinduism and Buddhism have remained the dominant religion, shamans usually exist independently of the systematized religion.  Mountains are considered mysterious and magical and the shaman fits the magical image of Nepal and serves have home to its forms of shaman commonly known as Jhakri around the mountainous range of Nepal. The Shaman have <a href="https://himalayantrekkers.com/blog/shamanism-experience-in-nepal">various names</a> such as Bijuwa in the Magar community, Pawo in the Sherpa community, Dhami in the Khas community, and Bompo in the Tamang Community.  Shamans can <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/photography/shamanism-nepal-rituals-practises-spiritual-world-jhakri-a9266826.html">gain power</a> by walking barefoot over the burning coals, then half dip in river waters, and meditating for a couple of hours  A strong Shamanic cult can be found in the Karnali Basin southward of the famous Mount Kailash in China.  <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/opinion/the-mysterious-world-of-nepal-s-shamans">Dhami</a> is believed to be an incarnation and the knowledge and abilities of Dhami are passed on to another person through a spirit transfer. Dhami is <a href="https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3103&context=masters_theses">attached</a> to a particular temple or shrine of a specific deity.  The spirit of Dhami can move but the receiver must accept it. Dhami provides consultation, a horoscope reading the judgment, and socio-religious leadership.  Jhakri is transferred from within a clan or through ban jhakri, a paranormal being.  Locals come for remedy of all issues, such as managing conflict, and health concerns, as a result, in a conclave organized by the Health Rights Improvement Project funded by the Korean International Cooperative Agency, all attending dhami-jhankri <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/07/27/employing-dhami-jhankri-to-promote-dignified-menstruation">signed a declaration</a> to ensure equal treatment to women even when they are menstruating. In one case, where the father ate the food given by the <a href="https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Harmful%20Practices%20Perception%20Survey.pdf">menstruating girl</a> but he fell ill. In second time when the menstruating daughter gave her father food, there was no problem but on the third and fourth occasions, the father got ill as a result the girl started following the tradition seriously.   Dhami travel to religious sites such as Gosaikunda, Rasuwa on the occasion of Janai Purnima (full moon). They have <a href="https://askmeaboutnepal.com/janai-purnima-of-dhamijhankri/">ritualistic objects</a> such as Damaru (small drum), ritual dagger, snake vertebrae, Rudraksha Bead Naga Mala, Yak Bell Hat Strap, cuff bracelet, wand, ceremonial stools, ritual necklace, Dhyangro (drum), ritual apron belt, ritual amulet, bell necklace,  The region has <a href="https://responsibleadventures.com/blog/shamanism-in-nepal-himalayas/">Kul Dhami</a> (lineage medium) serves in Chettri patrilineage while they perform rituals. In ethnic communities such as the Chepang <a href="https://elibrary.tucl.edu.np/bitstream/123456789/15265/2/Chapter.pdf">family worshipping</a> known as Kul Puja is done by Jhakri and also have a strong belief towards ban jhakri.  There is also the concept of a mythical creature called the ban (forest) jhakri, a small creature covered in hair and lives in the forest. <a href="https://www.atpweb.org/jtparchive/trps-29-97-01-047.pdf">Banjhakri</a> is a trickster and shamanic teacher who kidnaps children who have pure hearts and bodies without physical scars and teaches ideally for thirty days.  The literature also suggests ban jhakri sex with a girl was thrown out after the ban jhakri found the girl had imperfections. There is a strong belief that ban jhakri only steals boys and not girls.  There are stories that female Ban Jhakri would eat boys and therefore they are kept only for a short period, in one case a person claimed he was taken in the cave for four years. All the stories differ from one person to the next and lack consistency.  There is a final dimension that has to be analyzed as mentioned by Christopher J. Busick where he remarks <a href="https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3103&context=masters_theses">shamanism as a strategy</a> by low-status individuals incorporating supernatural actions to manipulate socially superior individuals for their interest.  <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/dang-masina-dalit-women-as-priests.html">Parvati BK</a> a <a href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/part-ii-the-struggles-of-dalits">Dalit</a> saw a naga (a type of divine snake) in her dream and started shivering from that day on. Shivering is a symptom of shamanism and therefore it is culturally acceptable to assume shivering to identify with shamanistic powers.  Parvati started worshipping Naags (snake gods), the villagers thought she had divine power and came together to collect Rs.2 million and build a temple honoring her as divine mother. Later, Rita Nepali came to the temple to help Parvati BK and the community decided to appoint Rita Nepali because she belonged to the same Dalit Community. Shamanism connects to pre-existing traditions before Hinduism and Buddhism took hold in Nepali society. They are revered in Nepali society but are slowly deteriorating due to awareness of modern medicine, and technology as well as the emergence of missionary religions that are apathetic towards shamanism, unlike Buddhism and Hinduism.  It would, however, be interesting to have videos of shamans doing paranormal activities as claimed by the shamans who live in rural Nepal.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/sherpas-the-porters-of-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/a573e01d-511e-4e25-9c9c-944500469dd3.jpeg Sherpas, the Porters of Nepal On 2019, a helicopter crashed in Pathibhara, Nepal. The helicopter belonged to Air Dynasty, part of the Yeti group, dubbed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2023/23/290328/">one of the most powerful business</a> groups in Nepal, caused the death of  Ang Tsering Sherpa, the Chairman of the Yeti Group. Sherpas are a community famous for being professional porters and outstanding travel guides. Ang Tsering Sherpa like many other Sherpas started as a porter and in the process amassing wealth, fame, and fortune in Nepal.  Social mobility from a porter to a historically significant person is rare around the world but in Nepal, this is a thing. One of the internationally renowned Nepali who summited Everest- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tenzing-Norgay">Tenzing Norgay</a> started his career as a porter at the age of 19.  Nepali Porters is a fascinating topic, porters carry loads of up to 120% of their body mass. In contrast, a fit European or North American adult can only carry a quarter of their body mass.  Nepali Porters carry goods in locations where pack animals cannot, such as expeditions with treacherous terrain in high-altitude summits.   Foreign Trekkers are known to teach English, and Western games to porters, and they teach hikers Nepali songs and dances and give tourists a unique peak into life in the Himalayas.  However, the bigger picture is indeed much grimmer, the vast majority of porters do not end up becoming business tycoons like Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa and a celebrity like Tenzing Norgay but do struggle to make ends meet.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/a-champion-sherpa-died-guiding-foreigners-is-it-too-dangerous/">A third of people</a> who die in summiting Everest, are Sherpas and even though people prefer to use the word guide, sherpas are more than guides, they are given labor-intensive tasks. Nepal lacks social security and the revenue collected from permits does not benefit the locals.  Tourism has been both a blessing and a curse to the locals of the Khumbu region of Nepal.   So much can be explored and documented in this rich celebrated Nepali community of Sherpas.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/shivaratri 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/c66febe8-186b-434a-9309-97918c866a1a.jpeg Shivaratri Shaivism is one of the most dominant religions in Nepal and one of the significant dates in Shaivism is Shivaratri.  <a href="https://books.google.com.np/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&pg=PA269&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false">Several stories</a> are mentioned in Skanda, Padma, and Lingam Puranas describing the power of Shivaratri and the tradition probably originated in the 5th century CE.  There is no clear outline of where Shivaratri originated, however, there is clear evidence that Shivaratri is seen as a <a href="https://risingkashmir.com/essence-of-shivratri">festival of Kashmir</a>. Kashmiri pandits connect Shivaratri to the <a href="https://www.ikashmir.net/shivratri/index.html">marriage</a> of Shiva and the goddess Parvati.  Kashmiri Pandits cook traditional food especially <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/in-kashmir-pandits-celebrate-shivratri-with-religious-fervour-1192653.html">fish and mutton</a> while in India and Nepal, they strictly adhere to vegetarian traditions.  Millions of people gather in Lord Shiva temples in Nepal and India, out of which Pashupati is one of the most notable destinations in Shivaratri. Around 1.5 million <a href="https://pragativadi.com/puri-shankaracharya-to-deliver-spiritual-discourse-at-nepal-pashupatinath-temple-on-maha-shivaratri/">visitors</a> alongside 3,500 sadhus from India and 1,000 nude saints (Digambar baba) visited Shivaratri in 2023.  That year, Jagadguru Nischalanda Shankaracharya of Purvamnaya Sri Govardhana Peeetham of Puri Odisha <a href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/sadhus-other-devotees-flock-to-pashupatinath-to-celebrate-shivaratri">visited</a> Pashupati temple for the first time and inaugurated <a href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2023/17/293681/">Adya Shankaracharya Temple</a> on the premise of Pashupati on the auspicious festival of Shivaratri.   In 2023, Pashupati Development Trust spent <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/around-a-million-devotees-offered-prayers-at-pashupatinath-during-shivaratri/">Rs. 8 million on beautification</a>. Nearly a million people visited Pashupati for the festival.  There was also discussion to provide <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2023/02/18/sadhus-at-shivaratri-seek-wi-fi-solace">free wifi</a> as Sadhus, who technically denounces the materialistic world, is now known to be using smartphones. Digital infrastructure has been a good medium for gurus to be connected to their students. However, it was seriously considered that free wifi would also distract volunteers from performing their duties.  Pashupati Area Development Trust used to <a href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/culture,-cannabis,-and-controversies">distribute marijuana</a> to Sadhus until 1995 but since Sadhus were found selling and distributing marijuana that tradition was stopped.  During the festival residents are seen burning <a href="https://www.shikharadventure.com/blog/maha-shivaratri">holy fire</a> in front of Shiva temples as well as in front of their own houses, it is believed that half burnt wood and sticks from holy fire protect the house from any evil.  As per Padma Purana and Shiva Purana, Naga Sadhus surround themselves with <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/nagas-invoke-deities-with-fire-penance/articleshow/18638454.cms">five burning fire piles and meditate</a>, and the fire celebrated in Shivaratri may have links to this tradition. In Nepal, Shivaratri is the day when the founder of the Shah dynasty of Nepal <a href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2020/21/76990/">formed his first army</a> troop. As a result, Shivaratri in Nepal is also celebrated as <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/in-pictures-nepal-army-observes-maha-shivaratri-and-army-day-2079-bs/">Army Day</a>.  Nepal is a country with a large number of festivals and extremely rich elaborative traditions. Nepal has been compared to <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/shangri-la">Shangri La</a>, a paradise, a romantic exotic utopia. Festivals can be the most film-worthy topic in Nepal and give a glimpse into Nepal’s exotic and magical culture.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/shrines-of-nepal-and-etymology 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/50d469ae-887e-41ef-af91-b7ae6596989b.jpg Shrines of Nepal and Etymology.   Nepal, an incredibly spiritual country has excellent background stories of various districts named after religious shrines.  Some historical sites in Nepal are so ancient, that the origin of their name isn’t known.  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dccgorkha.gov.np/ne-brief-introduction/">Gorkha district</a>, for example, is known for its grassland which is called Kharka in the local dialect. Karka may have had a phonological change and became “Garkha” and then evolved into today known “Gorkha”.  One of the lesser known districts of Nepal, is Kalikot district of Karnali province. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dcckalikot.gov.np/ne-brief-introduction/">Kalikot</a> is named after the goddess Kali’s temple,  around the temple, is the fort (kot) constructed by the local rulers of Kalika. In the plains of Nepal, there is a temple of Sarlahi Devi at Hempur. It is believed that anyone who goes to the temple at night will die the next day, so there is no habitation near the temple, and from this remote temple, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dccsarlahi.gov.np/en/brief-introduction/">Sarlahi</a> district got its name.   <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://daoparsa.moha.gov.np/upload/7f22b3f541b3ed156d97d5c401c1720a/files/Parsa_Profile_Final2_(1).pdf">Parsa district</a> is derived from Paarasanaath Math and the temple at Mahuvan Village. In 1707CE, the religious space was built by Makwanpurian King Manikya Sen. The temple is named after a saint called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2018/06/687351">Parsanath Baba</a> and is growing as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nagariknews.nagariknetwork.com/social-affairs/770971-1647669989.html">a tourist destination</a>.   These stories can also have magical components like in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/upLoads/2019/03/Bajhang-Profile-2075-final.pdf">Bajhang</a>.  In present-day Chhabisepaathibhere Rural Municipality, a black polished rock was uncovered while constructing a fort. The stone was dropped into the river but the rock miraculously returned to its original position. So, the local king invited his teachers and advisors; these scholars studied and declared the stone to be the god Kaal Bhairab.  When lighting struck the fort, Kaal Bhairab protected it and there was no damage, as a result, it was called Bajranga (Bajra means lighting), and this slowly became Bajhang.  The Palanchowk in Kavrepalanchowk district (generally known as Kavre district) is named after the famous <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/steeped-in-history-and-legend-palanchok-bhagwati.html">Palanchowk Bhagwati</a> temple; the story connects to a goddess who ate humans after dark. Palanchowk Bhagwati temple is linked to King Mandev (465-505 CE), while he was shifting the goddess to a new location as per her wishes in his dream.  Kathmandu Valley is known as the city of temples with around <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://himalayantrekkers.com/blog/must-visit-temples-in-kathmandu">300</a>0 temples in a region the size of Singapore.   Kathmandu is derived from the term Kasthamandap which is a rest house and religious shrine related to Gorakhnath.   After the 2015 devastating earthquake, excavations conducted in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190804153527/http://therisingnepal.org.np/news/15883">Kasthamandap</a>, verified the base was from the 7th century CE.   These magical and ancient temples reveal Nepal’s fascinating history. Not only is it an interesting historical angl of this magical country, it is visually breathtaking.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/significance-of-rhinos 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/68072698-e40e-49c1-97dc-0a096f067cfe.jpg Significance of Rhinos The Rhinocerous a species attributed for its unique one-horn and fierce strength, has made its mark since ancient times.  Literature suggests that both Hindus and Buddhists used pieces of the rhino horn or skin in a rice-filled container with water and flowers to attract the spirit of the dead,  Today, thankfully, this practice would be illegal in Nepal.  On January 9th,1981 King Birendra of Nepal was shown entering the <a href="https://historylessonsnepal.blogspot.com/2011/02/in-belly-of-beast.html">carcass of a disemboweled rhino</a> at the bank of the Rapti River, and made an offering to his father King Mahendra, and his ancestors.  The ancient tradition allowed mature male rhinos to be sacrificed for royalty.  The culture of rhino hunting became both an aristocratic sport, and a religious practice. Sadly, as a result, the rhino population started to decrease in Nepal.   In the 1950s there were around 800 rhinos in Nepal, after which Nepal’s <a href="https://hotelrhinoland.com/chitwan-national-park/">first conservation law</a> was established to protect the species, but by 1960 the population went down to only 200.  In 1963, the area around the Rapti River on the edge of Chitwan National Park was established as a rhino sanctuary, but by 1966 again <a href="https://chitwannationalpark.gov.np/index.php/highlights/15-rhino-population-up">its population</a> decreased to a mere 100.  By 1978 a significant increase was noted, after the establishment of Chitwan National Park, a large nature reserve. Conservationists began translocating rhinos to other reserves and slowly began growing the population.  By 2021, Nepal had a record 752 rhinos.  The largest one-horned rhino population is in Kaziranga National Park in India and Chitwan National Park holds the second-largest one-horned rhinoceros population.   In 2019, Bardiya National Park received the award for best <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/01/28/bardiya-national-park-wins-tx2-award-for-tiger-conservation">Sustainable Destination in the Asia Pacific</a> category of the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Award- 2019.  Issues of <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/climate-environment/2021/05/13/a-new-weed-is-invading-chitwan-national-park">invasive weeds</a> in the grasslands need to be dealt with so as to not decrease the population again. These weeds are responsible for 44% of the degradation of the rhino habitat. The invasive plant shrinks the grassland, and as a result, rhinos attempt to move out of National Park. This has led to rhino attacks and fatalities as they have started infiltrating residential areas.  Poachers still exist, even though illegal. Most poachers are from the indigenous Tharu and Tamang ethnic groups, historically marginalized communities.  In 1996, a single horn would be sold for 50,000 to 100,000 rupees ($1,087 to $ 2,174),  Rhino horns are sadly still <a href="https://savetherhino.org/rhino-info/threats/poaching-rhino-horn/">used</a> in Traditional Chinese Medicine and are also used as a decorative item to symbolize status and wealth.   Until 1990, horns and feet of hunted rhinos were displayed in the Royal palace, the only person who could legally own rhino horns. But in 2016, 357 rhino horns were <a href="https://wwf.panda.org/es/?300650/Nepal-burns-stockpile-of-4000-wildlife-parts">burnt</a> in the presence of a minister and other representatives.  As the wildlife population increases in Nepal, there is the rise of new challenges, and behind them are religious and cultural traditions that hardly anyone has even heard of. A perfect story of conservation efforts and ancient traditions.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/sikhism-in-modern-nepal-part-i 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/e4c7da35-e8a4-40bd-af0f-6b12dab3c8f3.jpeg Sikhism in Modern Nepal: Part I Sikh have a long history linked with Nepal. Since the youngest queen of Ranjit Singh <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2019/03/01/their-queen-arrived-as-an-exile-today-hundreds-of-sikhs-call-kathmandu-home">Jind Kaur</a> came in Nepal, a palace was built, the Charburja in the present day location of Prasuti Griha maternity hospital. She created various small Gurudwara in Nepal.  Nepal’s first Indian Ambassador Surjit Singh Majithia was also a Sikh who contributed significant diplomatic relationship between Nepal and India. He was also the first person to make the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/flying-above-the-himalayas">historical landing</a> of an airplane in Kathmandu.  There are some interesting stories of living as a Sikh in Kathmandu which give a glimpse on understanding Nepal’s social fabric. The government of Nepal at that time lacked engineers  as a result the government put an advertisement in Indian newspaper to bring engineers from outside.  In 1931 during British Raj Manohar Singh a reputed government engineer migrated from Rawalpindhi to Kathmandu. Manohar played a crucial role in laying <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2019/06/11/how-two-sikhs-built-kathmandus-water-pipelines-and-laid-its-roads">water pipelines</a> in Nepal. The issue of India’s partition had further cemented Manohar to stay in Nepal His son <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2023/05/20/a-kathmandu-home-for-amritsar-sardarni">Hardayal Singh</a> was born in Bhonsiko Tole,Kathmandu in 1936. He became an engineer for Nepal Government.  Hardayal Singh graduated in Engineer from Hewett Engineering School,Lucknow University. He build paths and ensured maintenance of those roads above the water pipelines which his father had constructed.  As both became authority in their fields the two would also engage in conflicts with the son arresting staff of his father and the complaint would go up to the king.   Hardayal Singh married Jadish Kaur of Amritsar in 1963 and brought her to Nepal.  Jadish Kaur hated Nepal at first and regretted her decision as she missed her siblings and parents in Amritsar. They had to walk from Tripureshwor as Kathmandu lacked Rickshaw. She came to government quarters mud and unbaked bricks lining the main street of Bagbazaar.  Bricks coming from the compound wall, no running water and foul-smelling like land, snakes roamed around the compounds and backyard. Tea was a rare drink in Kathmandu unlike it was readily available in India. She stood out in her kurta while regular women in Kathmandu wear Sari.  Her son Jeetendra was born in 1968 and daughter in 1970. Later when Hardayal encouraged her to visit India she refrained from going and she worried about her house and children. There were Punjabis in Putalisadak but the mother-in-law didn’t let her visit.  For first four years in Kathmandu she wasn’t allowed to visit Amritsar. The other-in-law feared she was a city-girl and if she went to Amritsar she may change her mind and never return. Later when she faced little restriction to visit Amritsar hills confined her in kathmandu. When her mother-in-law passed away in 1973 her parent visited Kathmandu and lamented  and cried bitterly on seeing the house.  Two days after her parents left the house collapsed. She was inside her room with her children and a sister who stayed back, luckily they forced open the door and rushed out. Kathmandu was inseparable for Hardayal- he loved Bhonsiko Tole and went there to play cards with his friends on Saturday. He spoke fluent Newari.  Hardayal being a turban wearing Sikh was asked if he was an Indian and having to prove his Nepali identity hurt him immensely. In 1972 Hardayal built a spacious 1 storied house in Jawalakhel and Kaur made a garden around its compound. In 1992 Manohar died.  In 2009 her husband passed at the age of 71. She started burning the photograph but rescued the marriage photographs. Hardayal like his father was cremated in Thapathali on the bank of Bagmati river.  The story of transport king Pritam Singh and Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang in Kupandole is a story would be discussed in Part II.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/sikhism-in-modern-nepal-part-ii 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/854b25a3-8845-418c-adbb-52c65a2f1e8d.jpeg Sikhism in Modern Nepal: Part II The arrival of Queen <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2019/03/01/their-queen-arrived-as-an-exile-today-hundreds-of-sikhs-call-kathmandu-home">Jind Kaur</a> in Kathmandu is the major milestone and the presence of Sikhism in Nepal can be felt in Guru Nanak Satsang in Kupondole, Lalitpur district Kathmandu Valley established by Sardar Pritam Singh.  After the partition of India there was rise of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir as a result Sardar Pritam Singh looked for new avenues and entered Nepal while it had recently been opening to foreigners.  In Nepal, Pritam Singh met another Sikh Tralochan Daulat Singh, a personal pilot to King Mahendra and helped him to connect with the monarch. Mahendra wanted to bring transport to Nepal and Sardar Pritam Singh wanted to expand their family business as a result the intention got aligned, this journey would make him be called “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://asiasamachar.com/2024/01/27/the-legacy-of-sardar-pritam-singh-in-nepal/">Transport King of Nepal</a>”.  In 1959, Sardar Pritam Singh brought three trucks from Jammu to Kathmandu alongside three Sikh drivers and three conductors, this  journey almost took 16 days .  They loaded truck on strong wooden to cross the river, an arduous journey but once it arrived Nepal the Transport Minister was pleasantly surprised and registered the trucks and issued Nepalese driving licenses.  Pritam Singh used this to start Nepal Public Motor Service (NPMS). As his success grew he brought more Sikhs for driving, maintenance, painting, tyre replacements, etc.  His work contributed to the construction of various vital projects. In 1960s there was a drought and due to the request of the king he rented 150 trucks to supply food to western Nepal. He was gifted Rs.5000 for his service. By 1964 he had established four gurudwaras in different parts of Nepal as well as opened the first Punjabi restaurant- Sher-e-Punjab in Sundhara, Kathmandu.  He established various gurudwaras in Amlekhgunj, Birgunj, Butwal, Nepalgunj and finally in Kathmandu.  As the Sikh community had grown and required a large Gurudwar he formally established Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwar in 1982.  Pritam Singh requested Nepali citizenship for his son Mahendra Pal Singh which the king granted making him the first Sikh to acquire Nepali citizenship. Many Sikh continue to struggle to get citizenship of Nepal even after working and living in the country for their entire life.  Many Sikh live in Nepal as a result it becomes difficult for their family members to get Indian citizenship while getting citizenship to Sikh is near to impossible. As non-citizens can’t buy land during insurgency many Sikhs left Nepal.  Pritam Singh had a fleet of 600 vehicles in 1990 after which he let go of the transport business. There was also stories about the Indian businessman who tried to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/the-transport-king-of-nepal-who-promised-the-pms-chair-to-prachanda/article67083279.ece">install</a> Prachanda as the Prime Minister in the republican Nepal, this indicates the level of power and influence Pritam Singh has over Nepali politics.  In 2004 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thegeopolitics.com/sikh-community-in-nepal-small-but-vibrant/">commemorating</a> 400 years of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and in 2019 commemorating 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Nepal minted Rs. 2,500, Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 100 coins making Nepal one of few countries <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/a-little-known-story-of-nepal-s-sikh-connection/story-hXrsxFKoF28H2VzaDJnCTK.html">issuing legal tender</a> featuring a Sikh connection.  Sikhism which is nearly never heard in Nepal’s religious conversation is in fact a significant player in Nepal’s economy, politics and culture.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/suggested-trekking-essentials-for-nepal-remote-areas 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/d37be476-e149-4eac-9152-b8d5c8135005.jpg Suggested Trekking Essentials for Nepal (Remote Areas). General:Back packWater BottleWater cleansing tablets/ Iodine tablets  (Or bottled water may be purchased).Power BarsTrail mixFlashlightAdaptersSunscreenHat1-2 pairs of walking /trek boots ankle heightPlastic flip-flops for showering & walking at the end of the dayTowel  Sheets or sleeping bag /small pillow Padlocks, luggage locksZiploc bagsLaundry detergent NotepadPensCameraOptional: candies, small toys, colorful pens/ pencils (to hand out to curious village children). Clothes/Shoes:Comfortable trekking clothesLight Rain JacketVery Warm Down Jacket/ Parka (warm hat & gloves)Fleece (Always good to layer)Glasses/ContactsSunglassesWarm Pajamas -there is no in-room heating in the mountains.Warm socksHat1-2 pairs of walking /trek boots ankle heightPlastic flip-flops for showering & walking at the end of the dayNote to the ladies: It is not customary to wear very short revealing clothes in Nepal. Long pants, a long skirt, (loongi), short-sleeved T-shirts, knee length shorts are advisable.   Toiletries:ALL toiletries that you are accustomed to using at home plus basics like: Toilet paperTissuesShampoo/ConditionerBody/ Hand SoapHand Sanitizer/ Wet wipesMoisturizing cream Medications:  **Please consult a doctor before leaving for Nepal & get more advice on how/when to use it. Some doctors like to prescribe an antibiotic in case you get stomach bugs that you can take on your own as needed. First Aid Kit – band-aids, disinfectantImodium, Pepto Bismol, Tums/Anti-acid (for stomach issues).Tylenol/ParacetamolAdvil Cold Medication, Cough Drops   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-country-of-buddha 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/5e777d3d-ecf7-4290-8084-222bad1fa54c.jpeg The Country of Buddha Buddha, known as the light of Asia, is the founder of a major global religion.  Buddhism was a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/religious-denominations-in-hinduism">Sramana movement</a> that rejected Vedas and Brahaminic supremacy <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/dharmadata/fdd48.htm">but it did not reject the existence of Vedic gods</a>. This allowed Buddhism to easily mix with local religions and co-exist with local beliefs while generating Buddhist beliefs and traditions.  In Nepal, Buddhism is not the dominant religion, it is Hinduism, but Buddhism has become a political dialogue associated with nationalism.  When His Holiness the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN1DZhUY4OA">Dalai Lama stated</a> Buddha was born in India, Nepalis disagreed, as Buddha’s birthplace marked by the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ntb.gov.np/lumbini--rupandehi">Ashoka pillar</a> is in Rupandehi district, current day Nepal. Ancient Northern India consisted of sixteen states, known as the sixteen Mahajanapada, and in bordering regions between present-day Nepal and India, there was a state called Shakya Janapada (Shakya state) where Gautam Buddha was born in the 6th century BCE. Gautam Buddha preached in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.civilsdaily.com/places-associated-with-buddhas-life-and-buddhism/">various Janapadas</a> such as Magadha Janapada where he received enlightenment, Kashi Janapada where he gave his first sermon, Kosala Janapada where he lived 24 years of his life, and Malla Janapada where he transitioned on. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lbu.edu.np/research/the-buddhas-visit-to-the-kathmandu-valley/">Nepalikabhupavamsavali and Svayambhu Purana</a>, Buddha visited Kathmandu Valley (considered Nepal in ancient times), these literatures are not universally accepted but continue to serve Nepali nationalist fervor.  It was around Buddha's period that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://edukemy.com/blog/mahajanapadas-and-rise-of-magadha-upsc-ancient-history-notes/">Magadha invaded</a> various Janapads in preset-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of India and later Ashoka from the Mauriyan dynasty, conquered nearly all of present-day India and is even attributed as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://scroll.in/article/951118/why-ashoka-the-emperor-of-india-who-inspired-the-symbols-of-new-republic">first emperor of India</a>.  Ashoka was a strong supporter of Buddhism; and installed three pillars in Rupandehi and Kapilvastu in Nepal and is also attributed with creating <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wondersofnepal.com/ashoka-stupas/">four big</a> and smaller Stupas (temples) in various locations in Kathmandu Valley.  Various Buddhist masters such as Vasubandhu, Santarakshita, Padmasambhava, Atisha Dipamkara, Srijnana, and Milarepa played significant roles in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/knowledge-bank/buddhism-himalaya-its-expansion-and-present-day-aspects">development of Buddhism</a> in other parts of Nepal. However, this paper will continue to emphasize the story within Kathmandu Valley.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalcharumati.com.np/sri-charumati-buddha-vihar-charumati-stupa-history/">Charumati Stupa</a> (also called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cohn17.com/2021/08/17/dhando-chaitya-stupa/">Dhando Stupa</a>) in Kathmandu is believed to have been built by Charumati, daughter of Ashoka. During the renovation, bricks were found with an inscription style used in the 3rd century BCE. There is an argument that Dhando Stupa was constructed during the reign of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://itihasaa.com/lichhavi-kings/vrishadeva/">Vrisha Deva</a> which is much later than the period of Emperor Ashok. Scholars wonder if Ashok ever visited Nepal and if Ashok ever had a daughter named Charumati. This issue remains in conflict between scholars.  One of the oldest Buddhist shrines that have a wide range of agreements is Swayambhu Mahachaitya which is commonly called the monkey temple by Western travelers and has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ntb.gov.np/swayambhunath">existed at least since 460 C.E</a>. Swayambhu became a prominent shrine by the 13th century and had become a prominent Buddhist shrine in the Kathmandu valley.  However, the religious doctrines in Nepal believe that the emergence of Swayambhu is linked with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://earth-planets-space.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40623-016-0413-5">drying of the lake</a> and the formation of Kathmandu Valley which happened 12,000 years ago.  The oldest Viahar in Kathmandu Valley is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://himalayancultures.com/history/gum-baha-the-first-kirati-mangkim/">Gum Vihara</a> with Gum meaning Forest in the Kirati language and therefore is believed to be from the Kirat era. The largest stupa in Nepal is Boudhanath, which has many stories linked to its indigenous name- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.attractivetravelnepal.com/boudhanath-stupa-unesco-tour/">Kasti Chaitya</a>. The magnificent structures of Swayambhu and Boudha indicate a strong Buddhist influence in Kathmandu Valley.  As per one legend, Buddhists defeated six incarnations of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/VOH/article/download/76/69">Shankaracharya</a> but his seventh incarnation defeated the Buddhists after which Buddhists were either killed or put to death to promote Shaivism. Pashupati was taken over from Buddhists and brought Nambudari Bhramins from Kerala which is in South India, this however, seems to be only claims.   There is a strong narrative that there has never been bloodshed in the name of religion in Nepal, however, there are stories and ancient grievances and pride of various religious groups against one another but these are generally avoided to promote the national narrative of unity. Rightly so.  Buddhism itself had started not as a religious movement to preach a certain god but had its roots as a social movement that opposed exploitative social hierarchies that led to tension in society. Buddhism to an extent was a social and political movement a practice of life, rather than a true religious institution. Nepal offers a platform to film the roots of Buddhism and how it later spread to the rest of Asia… a visit to Lumbini would be the start of any project about the Buddha.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-crocodile-makara-and-gohi 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/16a332b9-081c-4a28-b4be-75cb5ff7931c.jpg The Crocodile, Makara, and Gohi <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/makara">Makara</a> means sea monster in Sanskrit, crocodile in English, and Gohi in Nepali.In Hindu scriptures, Makara is the vehicle of Varun, the Vedic god of the water, rivers, and ocean as well as the vehicle for Ganga, the holiest river for Hindus. There are additional claims that Makara of Ganga are dolphins, as dolphins like crocodiles are found in the Ganga River.  The association of Makara with water gods could clarify the affinity of sculpting Makara in intricate water spouts.  The literature of Makara as a symbol on water spouts, could be dated back to at least the 12th century.  The usage of Makara as a water spout can be seen in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38281">Java, Indonesia</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://waseda.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/19933/files/Honbun-4626_04.pdf">Khmer temple</a> in Cambodia, and is a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1016&context=monsoon-sasa-journal">popular symbol</a> in water systems constructed by the  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.insidehimalayas.com/hiti-tales/">Newars</a> of Nepal.  Makara is generally seen as a mythical creature with an elephant trunk, a crocodile’s mouth, wild boar’s ears and tusks, and a peacock’s tail. Below such stone spout is the sculpture of Bhagirath, a mythical king who brought the river Ganga to earth.  As far as actual crocodiles in Nepal, Chitwan National Park reported <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://india.mongabay.com/2022/06/new-gharial-hatchlings-in-nepal-a-hopeful-sign-for-the-critically-endangered-reptile/">fewer</a> than 81 crocodiles in 1978. But since then intense efforts to breed and bring back the population have been successful.   In May 2023, 259 crocodile eggs were collected from nine nests in the Rapti River. In the past 5 years, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/chitwan-national-park-collects-259-crocodile-eggs/">563 crocodile eggs were collected</a> from which 496 hatched to produce hatchlings around which 300 survived.  Phoebe Griffith, a British researcher states that only 1% of baby gharials bred in natural habitats have survived.  As the newborn's survival rate in the wild hovers around 1% the governments of Nepal and India have launched captive-breeding programs with healthy hatchlings released back into the river system. https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-ghost-village-of-gorkha 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/08680c87-d1b9-4aa4-ac30-f6ba31347350.jpeg The Ghost Village of Gorkha The epicenter of the Nepal April 2015 earthquake was near Larpak Village; in this area, around 600 families lost their homes, and the area was declared a disaster zone. Larpak received a wide range of attention and would change the fate of this little-known landmark village. However, a dream to create <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.recordnepal.com/a-ghost-settlement-in-gorkha">a model village</a> turned into a nightmare leading to a ghost village; this is a sad story of aid failure while adding salt to the tremendous injury. Non-residential Nepalis (NRN) decided to build 573 identical, evenly spaced, two-storied brick buildings on government land that started in January 2016 while the locals hoped to receive the houses by the Autumn of 2016.  The blueprints had everything from a guest room to a small garden but the ground reality was dull and dark. The location where the model village was proposed was Gupsi Pakha, a land formed by a landslide and therefore was unstable.   The journey to Larpak is a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2017/06/601103">tedious</a> one, and shipping the goods to the Larpak was a Herculean task that was equally slow. If the local materials and knowledge had been used then the entire project would have been faster and cheaper.  The houses in Barpak received financial subsidies from the National Reconstruction Authority, but the locals of Larpak suffered as the government refused to assist them because NRN had promised to reconstruct an entire settlement for them.  The project went three years behind schedule and the structure had no toilets, no water supply system, and no paved roads more specifically no one was willing to move in. These structures lacked storing space for harvest or animal sheds- these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/building-back-not-better-after-2015-kxble6c6">weren’t designed</a> by architects who understood local necessities.  Locals also weren’t very comfortable abandoning their ancestral homes for religious and spiritual reasons and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/laprak-quake-victims-await-nrn-to-deliver-houses/">living in cold winters</a> forced them to create an alternative settlement.  In 2019, when the NRN decided to wash their hands of their failed project, the majority of the locals of Larpak had already created their alternative settlement and weren’t interested in spending money on completing the unfinished project left by the NRN. In total, around 20 families decided to settle in the model village. The Larpak has been a destination for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUkn6TFl37o">YouTubers</a>, still maintaining a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiLX3q3bOKY">stunning view</a>,  It remains a reminder of a design failure, shipment of materials, and delays that sealed the fate of this picturesque city.  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/army-hands-over-18-km-section-of-road-connecting-tibet/">Nepal Army eventually built</a> a road in the region and a beautiful five-foot-tall statue of Buddha was built in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/buddha-park-constructed-in-gorkhas-barpak">Buddha Park of Barpak</a>, the epicenter of the Gorkha earthquake.  There remains hope that one day, the ghost village will become a booming tourist destination and not just an abandoned failure. It’s an outstanding location for a film shoot and a story of aid that failed.  Note: the image in AI generated.       https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-himalayan-yak 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/02f29630-d262-4f42-a67b-8f18b4066f59.jpg The Himalayan Yak Yak, known as bovine of the Himalayas, has played a crucial role in the survival of the mountainous people of Nepal. The yak was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.alimentarium.org/en/fact-sheet/yak#:~:text=The%20origin%2C%20distribution%20and%20domestication,than%202%20million%20years%20ago.">domesticated</a> 10,000 years ago.  In total, there are approximately 14.2 million yaks and less than 15,000 wild yaks. In Nepal, wild yaks were recently <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dnpwc.gov.np/en/species-detail/76/">rediscovered</a> in 2014, in the Limi Valley of Humla district.  Yaks have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.alimentarium.org/en/fact-sheet/yak#:~:text=The%20origin%2C%20distribution%20and%20domestication,than%202%20million%20years%20ago.">religious significance</a> in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, and in Hinduism, the ceremonial <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/kathasaritsagara-the-ocean-of-story/d/doc363194.html">fly whisk</a> is predominantly made from a yak’s tail.   The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.fao.org/4/ad347e/ad347e05.htm#:~:text=At%20the%20present%20time%2C%20the,Independent%20States%20(formerly%20the%20Soviet">Yak population</a> has been integrated and utilized by humans and has remained an important component for humans to survive in the harsh Asiatic mountains. Yak skin is used to make tents, yak wool is used to make clothing, yak bone is used to make jewelry, manure is used as fertilizer, and milk is used in butter tea and hard cheese.  Yaks are also an incredibly reliable method of transferring goods in the Himalayas.  The Yak blood-drinking festival which lasts a few days and may have its roots in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/Nepal-now-sees-blood-drinking-festival/article16559873.ece">ancient Tibetan Kingdo</a>m is an old tradition, it is believed that Yaks graze on various <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://marvelsofnepal.com/yak-blood-drinking-festival/">Himalayan herbs</a> and by drinking their blood one can cure various diseases.  There are modern festivals that humanely celebrate yaks. I<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/yak-eco-tourism-festival-panchthar">n 2017</a>, the Yak eco-tourism festival organized in Pranbung at an altitude of 3,560m near the border of Panchthar and Sikkim, to promote yak related businesses.  In 2019, the Yak Herders Association together with various agencies, hosted the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/yak-festival-to-be-held-in-dhadings-ruby-valley">Yak festival</a> in Ruby Valley at Pangsang (4,000m at the base of Ganesh Himal) to promote the area as a tourist destination.  That area boasts the highest number of yak farmers. A decade ago there were 200 yaks which has already increased to 400 yaks in 35 sheds. 36 people are involved in yak farming there. Yak milk yields an annual income of Rs. 40,000 to Rs.60,000.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/yak-festival-in-panchthar-from-today/">In 2022</a>, Phalelung Rural Municipality-4 conducted a yak festival exhibiting dairy products made of yak milk and even the Yak Gold Cup. 500 yaks were shown in a single spot. They also sold local rugs and clothes made of sheep wool, horse, and yak hide.  Yak from Upper Dolpa, are brought to Jomson for slaughter and made into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2022/11/20/yak-jerky-market-booms-in-nepal-s-himalaya">dried meat</a> or yak jerky. Yak meat is low in calories and high in protein it can be cut into strips marinated and hickory smoked. Apples, Jerky and liquor are Mustang's main gifts. The local foods include “ghinti”- intestine stuffed with blood and fat. “Tung” is made with buckwheat flour and blood inside the intestine. Traditionally jerky was created by keeping strips of meat over the hickory fire while at present many hotel and restaurant owners have installed solar dryers for the commercial production of jerky.    Due to climate change, the breeding season of Yaks has shifted from July-August to November-December. People are no longer dependent on Yak for transportation and can buy food and clothes from commercial markets.  In 2008, in Ilam and Taplejung there were 150 barns that housed 1,000 yaks. Today, there are 500 yaks in only 50 remaining barns.  The average cost of a yak is around Rs.80,000, if a yak dies, the herder bears the loss. The future of the Nepali Yak is in jeopardy.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-menstrual-hut-part-i 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/678cef43-7504-43de-8457-c67a847117dd.jpeg The Menstrual Hut: Part I In Hinduism, the Veda is endorsed as a supreme literature as a result many researchers intend to connect many cultures and taboos to have their roots in the Vedas.  Rig Veda mentions Indra killing a monster Vritas and other literature such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/opinion/2014/08/31/my-menstruation">Garud Puran</a> links with the story of Rig Veda and later used this story to build menstrual taboos. Due to such a tendency, some scholars have claimed that the menstrual taboo has roots in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4408698/">Vedic era</a>, which contributes to making the menstrual topic even more confusing.   Veda rather mentions that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://dhaaramagazine.in/2020/11/18/comparing-the-text-of-manusmriti-and-vedas-on-menstruation/">Agnihotri yagna</a> is performed in a daily basis by both men and women- this also indicates that if they have to perform daily worshipping they can’t stop due to menstruation.  It should also be considered that in some sects of Hinduism that emphasize Tantricism, they take menstrual blood as magical and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/some-sects-of-hinduism-encourage-sex-during-your-periods/186312/">divine</a>.  A brief introduction to menstruation in Hinduism simply gets complicated and the menstrual tradition in Nepal is simply taken as an extreme.  These traditions of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/unearthing-menstrual-wisdom-why-we-don-t-go-to-the-temple-and-other-practices">seclusion huts</a> are also prevalent in India while the traditions in Nepal have received greater <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/menstruation-rituals-nepal">international attention</a>.  There are various problems linked to menstrual hut also known as Chhau shed and the process is known as Chhaupadi.  By 2019, 15 girls died in Chhau sheds in the last 13 years in Achham and Dailekh.  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/15-girls-women-died-in-chhausheds-in-13-yrs">Chhaupadi was criminalized</a> with a three-month jail sentence or Rs.3,000 fine or both for forcing any woman to follow the custom in 2017 but no complaints have been registered from Dailekh and Accham.  The research found that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/new-laws-have-not-stopped-women-and-girls-being-exiled-during-their-periods-in-nepal.html">77% of girls practiced chhaupadi in Dailekh</a> (72% in Achham), and 60% knew Chhaupadi was illegal but that made no difference. The girls suffer from fear and anxiety and wish they were born as boys. They are afraid of getting raped and killed while staying outside.  In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/241-chhaugoths-demolished-in-dailekh/">2020</a>, 241 chhau sheds were demolished in different parts of Dailekh. In 2020, Chief District Officer Gokarna Prasad Upadhaya of Achham started to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/chhau-sheds-destroyed-in-achham">demolish Chau sheds,</a> but the campaign was halted by coronavirus. After the team demolishes the sheds- the locals reconstruct it. Police started to demolish it after women started to die in Chau sheds.   There are detailed stories on how menstrual huts are prevalent in society and how the donor agencies have been trying to discourage it. Stories that can trigger the creative spirit to plan and implement a film in western Nepal.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-menstrual-hut-part-ii 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/9054b7dc-8734-4f9a-9e78-3468417f81bb.jpeg The Menstrual Hut: Part II Chaupadi, a shed created for menstruating because they believe menstruating girls are unclean to stay at home.  In 2016 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/chhaupadi-takes-toll-women-achham">Dambara Upadhyay</a>, 21 of Timilsen VDC, Achham discovered dead inside the Chhaupadi shed, she was staying there due to her menstruation cycle. Only her nose was bleeding without any cuts or bruises suspecting she had some disease. In 2019, two menstruating women were killed by snake biting in Chamunda Bindrasaini Municipality. There are also stories of extreme human misery, a visually impaired from birth <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2022/06/26/chhaupadi-practice-puts-women-with-disabilities-at-higher-risk">Kamala Japrei</a> of Sainapasela Village had a difficult time when she started menstruating when she was 14.  Five days of banishment is hard, she makes her way to Natesanghu River when her cycle ends- she needs help for walking but as she becomes untouchable no one is there to help her. She needs to walk 3 km to bathe and wash clothes during the period.  Japrei uses the same set of clothes all five days because she can’t change without help. Chhau sheds are closely built near rivers as they have easy access to clean water, as there is no river in the village they pitch tents in the fields.  If the question is about menstruating girls being unclean is it simply a religious sentiment?  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2021/01/04/local-authorities-in-achham-intensify-anti-chhaupadi-campaign">Sunita Aidi</a> stayed in a communal shed 300 meters away from her house with her newborn which was two feet high, three feet long, and wide. She eats when she can prepare meals but sleeps hungry when she cannot cook. They stay in Chhau not because of fear of god but because of the fear of backlash from society.  This kind of statement shows that social pressure has played a significant role in forcing women to suffer and many times led to their deaths. There has also been an effort to demolish such menstrual sheds but the external actor destroying such sheds has not always led to positive results.   In the case of  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/women-urge-for-brainwashing-along-with-strict-measures-against-chhaupadi/">Alakuli Jaisi</a> after the administration destroyed the Chhau sheds, this did not create a scenario where the family would accommodate their member inside the house. As a result, she was rather forced to stay for days under the open sun. Sangeeta Saud of Tikapur, after the Chhaugot was demolished by the people’s representative, was then compelled to share a pen for keeping goats. However, in cases where locals themselves have taken the initiative, things have changed.  20 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/karnali-province/2021/01/23/kalikot-teens-run-successful-campaign-against-chhaupadi">teenage girls</a> of Kalikot came together to raise awareness about the evils of Chhaupadi who were inspired by their campaign many have stopped Chhaupadi. When the teenager started campaigning the parents did not support it- but finally, even the mother stopped participating in Chhaupadi.  The local government has selected 30 facilitators to mobilize them to raise awareness against various malpractices. The campaign has helped improve the attendance rate of girls in school.   These stories show that when the government and NGOs interfere without training the local community, this could lead to more tragedies and make the women's lives even more miserable, while local participation can have a positive impact.   There is a need to further dive into the religious dimension of the societal perspective of menstruation discussed in The Menstrual Hut: Part III.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-menstrual-hut-part-iii 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/0d911578-c4fa-49de-8085-66317700cd5e.jpg The Menstrual Hut: Part III  The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://aawaajnews.com/social-development-news/how-has-criminalization-of-chhaupadi-helped-eliminate-menstrual-taboos-in-nepal/">Shaman traditionally</a> encourages stigma as when people get sick the shaman would claim that they were recently touched by a menstruating woman.  There has been <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Harmful%20Practices%20Perception%20Survey.pdf">a case</a> when a daughter cooked a meal for her family during her period but during that time he got sick, and the doctor was unable to cure but the traditional healer succeeded. She continued the experiment in which during her second period her father didn’t fall ill but in the third and fourth attempts, the father was ill, after which she strictly followed the practice.   It should be noted that such an anomaly could exist in society and has helped reinforce the belief.  Continuous training of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/4/feature-abolishing-chhaupadi-breaking-the-stigma-of-menstruation-in-rural-nepal">mother group</a> and other community-based organizations plays a key role in breaking the taboos.  The traditional healers are the enforcers of the menstrual taboo. Interestingly, in 2022, a three-day <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/07/27/employing-dhami-jhankri-to-promote-dignified-menstruation">Traditional Healers’ Conclave for Dignified Menstruation</a> was organized in Dhangadhi.  The conclave brought 33 traditional lakers and 14 elected officials. In conclusion, the traditional healers signed a declaration to ensure equal treatment of young girls and women in all days, even while they menstruated.  These are efforts to hit the root of the problem but many of such donor-funded programs do not topple down at the grassroots level.  There are efforts to change society but such efforts have become a tool for aid strategy than to yield actual results.  However, change is slow but certain. Traditionally in Kathmandu during <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/gunlaa-baaja-women-kathmandu-culture.html">Gunla Dharma</a>, women were prohibited from playing musical instruments for religious purposes as they menstruated. Kathmandu, a cosmopolitan city has changed its culture and allowed women to participate in the ritual.  In Kathmandu, young girls get appointed as Kumari, and her position is seized once she menstruate. In the case of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/20/nepals-earthquake-forces-living-goddess-to-break-decades-of-seclusion">Dhana Kumari Bajracharya</a>, she never menstruated even after the royal family of Nepal removed her from the position; she continued to live as Kumari.  Nepalaya Productions once made a documentary between the menstrual hut and Kumari- both living in seclusion and this is still a story that have potential for future films.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-royal-family-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/234ddba5-d470-4480-8513-c85b36e5192a.jpeg The Rise and Fall of the Royal Family in Nepal There were only a handful of monarchies in the 21st century, and one of them was the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. Strangely, the surname of the Nepali monarchy resembled that of the Shah of Iran, which created curiosity about its history and origin. The Shahs of Nepal claimed their <a href="https://api.giwms.gov.np/storage/23/posts/1683189845_59.pdf">origins</a> from the Sisaudiya Rajputs of Chittaude, India, and later <a href="https://itihasaa.com/gorkha/origin-of-shahs/">fled</a> to Nepal due to Muslim invaders.   Some scholars <a href="https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/57337/Year8_No12_1976.pdf?sequence=13&isAllowed=y">trace the Shah's origin</a> to Jain, who adopted the Turkish title Khan to denote himself as a chief or leader. Another ruler named Bhupal established a kingdom in Bhirkot, present-day Syangja district. Most of the kingdoms are present-day districts in Nepal.  A <a href="https://www.royalark.net/Nepal/nepal2.htm">Bhirkot royalty</a>, Kulmandana Khan, took over Kaski and received the title Shah (a Persian term) from the Emperor of Delhi, India. His son, Yashobarmba, became the king of  Lamjung. Yashobrahma’s son, Dravya Shah, took over the Gorkha region, from which the famous Gurkhas emerged. Dravya’s descendant, Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king of Gorkha, defeated various kingdoms and formed an empire, the expansionist policy was continued by his descendants.  Prithvi Narayan Shah’s grandson, Rana Bahadur Shah, made his younger son, Girvan Yuddha the king, <a href="https://thewire.in/history/swami-nirgunanda-the-monk-who-would-have-given-his-kingdom-away">damaging</a> the culture of Male Primogeniture. After this precedent, ambitious queens tried to make their sons kings, which erupted in palace conflicts, transferring power to the hands of Ranas. The Ranas <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Rana-era">allied</a> themselves with the British, and when colonialism ended in India, so did the Ranas in Nepal. After a brief experiment with democracy, the Shah kings usurped the power.  Nepal after ending Rana rule depended on foreign assistance for infrastructural development. The Communist countries' <a href="https://mofa.gov.np/nepal-russia-relations/">aid assistance</a> shaped communism in a positive light and strengthened communist parties in Nepal, which would later lead to the downfall of the Shah monarchy.  During the royal era of Nepal, there were minor skirmishes; the <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/miscellaneous/2018/01/13/16-killed-in-chhintang-named-martyrs-after-39-years">Chhintang massacre</a>, which demanded democracy, and the communist-led <a href="https://www.recordnepal.com/oli-and-the-jhapa-rebellion">Jhapa Revolt</a>, but both did not threaten the monarchy.  After the <a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/nepal-king-ends-direct-rule-reinstates-parliament">People’s Movement in 1990</a>, democracy was reinstated, but the immature democratically elected government tried to <a href="https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1354&context=hrbrief">suppress the far leftist group</a> in Thabang, causing the displacement of 6,000 people, and 130 people were arrested without warrants, triggering Nepal’s civil war.  The conflict between the Democratic Parties and the Communist Movement took a tidal shift on June 1, 2001, after the royal massacre. The <a href="https://nepalresearch.com/politics/background/committee_report.htm">High-Level Committee Report</a> declared that Crown Prince Dirpendra had conducted regicide and killed other members of the royal family. At the time, the dying Crown Prince was declared the king, further damaging the image of the royal family.  The death of Dipendra made the situation worse, as the crown was passed to Prince Gyanendra. The populace became <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/jun/05/nepal">suspicious</a> of him, since miraculously his immediate relatives, namely his son, daughter, and wife, survived the royal massacre.  Prince Paras Shah, the son of newly appointed King Gyanendra, had been a <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=11290">notorious figure</a>, especially due to the road accidents associated with him. A large number of people refused to accept the report of The High-Level Committee.  Monarchists have attempted to shift the blame to external actors and project the innocence of both Gyanendra and Dipendra. Such a hypothesis implied that the rulers of Nepal were at the mercy of <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/india-us-behind-2001-palace-massacre-conspiracy-ex-minister-70812-2010-04-01">foreign powers</a>, which determined when a king would die and what the next king would say. Monarchists rejected such a scenario as well, making all possible scenarios controversial.  Due to the declining royal image, the Maoists started demanding <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=7489">a republican form of government</a>, whereas originally when Maoists started the civil war, they only demanded abolishing all special privileges of the king and the royal family in their initial <a href="https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/nepal/document/papers/40points.htm">40-point demands</a>. On February 1, 2005, King Gyanendra declared a state of emergency, arresting members of parliament and isolating himself from democratic forces. India ceased supplying weapons, and China started supplying weapons to Nepal. King Gyanendra also <a href="https://carnegieindia.org/2021/10/04/india-s-fog-of-misunderstanding-surrounding-nepal-china-relations-pub-85416">banned</a> the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office and <a href="https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/nepals-unwavering-commitment-to-saarc-6029/">lobbied</a> for China’s full membership in SAARC, which further isolated him from India and Western countries.  As a result, democratic forces and the Maoists eventually reached an agreement, leading to the initiation of political parties and mass protests in Nepal.  In April 2006, the former Crown Prince of Kashmir, a relative of King Gyanendra, and a Member of the Indian Parliament, Karan Singh, came to Nepal as a <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl/3130/On+the+visit+of+Dr+Karan+Singh+Special+Envoy+of+the+Prime+Minister+to+Nepal">Special Envoy</a>. King Gyanendra no longer had the support of his relatives belonging to various Indian royal families and had to bow down to the democratic alliance.  Gyanendra and Paras were so unpopular that the <a href="https://publicationnepalaya.com/book/rookmangud-katawal">commander-in-chief</a> of the Nepali army, in an attempt to save the monarchy, proposed that the grandson of Gyanendra be appointed as the new king. However, the King refused, and the army then avoided further involvement in politics.  On May 28, 2008, the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal as the <a href="https://mofa.gov.np/about-nepal/history-of-nepal/">Federal Democratic Republic</a>, abolishing monarchy. Gyanendra made a <a href="https://blog.com.np/2008/06/11/press-statement-of-gyanendra-the-last-king-of-nepal/comment-page-1/">press statement</a> and handed over the crown and scepter to the Government of Nepal for safekeeping, hoping to keep getting cooperation from the Government of Nepal in the future. Monarchists still believe that this is <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/will-nepal-ever-be-a-kingdom-again.html">not the fall</a> of the Shah dynasty.  Will Nepal ever return to being a Monarchy? Interesting subject to explore.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-tigers-of-nepal-are-flourishing-again 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/f34d9f42-4195-4459-b930-ce641e5ccf9c.png The Tigers of Nepal are Flourishing Again Tigers, one of the largest carnivorous mammals in Asia, are considered splendorous beasts with their distinct orange and red stripes. They have been hunted since <a href="https://www.hiedracenters.com/clubdeingles/a-concise-history-of-tiger-hunting-in-india/">the early 16th century</a>, an act of heroism by vilifying them as the bloodthirsty beasts that kill humans and their livestock.  Between 1846 and 1940, <a href="https://lib.icimod.org/record/25829/files/c_attachment_478_2130.pdf">Chitwan</a> in south-central Nepal, remained a hunting reserve for the feudal Rana dynasty, where tigers, rhinos, leopards, and other animals were hunted.  In 1911, King George the V traveled to the plains of Nepal slaying 39 tigers in 10 days, this occurred at a time when the government was encouraging hunting in order to promote <a href="https://lib.icimod.org/api/files/7c8b342b-63d7-47dc-a632-ba40084ab129/6988.pdf">human settlement</a>.   However, people were not keen on migrating to the plains due to widespread <a href="https://mohp.gov.np/program/malaria-control-programme/en">malaria</a>,and in 1954, the United States aid mission was initiated, and by the 1960s malaria was brought down to an insignificant level and made settling in the plains of Nepal desirable.  Tigers as a whole have<a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/tiger"> lost 95%</a> of their historical range and are on the <a href="https://wwf.ca/species/tigers">brink of extinction</a>.  In 1973, the government formulated the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, lending rise to an era where wildlife started being valued and finally protected. They started with the creation of Chitwan National Park that same year.  Finally, as the forests started to deplete, the <a href="https://www.fao.org/3/ae154e/AE154E07.htm">government formulated</a> the National Forestry Plan (1976) which was followed by the National Forest Policy Act of 1976 where laws and policies emphasized ecological balance and economic development.  There were only 40 <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/284/">breeding tiger adults</a> in the 1980s which grew to be around 125 breeding adults in 2010 in Chitwan National Park. Between 2009 and 2013 the Tiger population grew by 63% securing a population of 198 which is far more than the tigers in Bhutan and Bangladesh.  In 2010, world leaders met during the Chinese Year of the Tiger and made an ambitious goal to multiply their tiger population (TX2) by the next Chinese Year of the Tiger in 2022.  Since 2013, <a href="https://wwf.ca/species/tigers">WWF</a>-Canda supported Nepal in its conservation projects of tigers and Nepal became the first country on track to achieve the ambitious TX2 goal. The population of tigers in Nepal reached <a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/nepal-tiger-population-exceed-2022.html">355</a>.  Nepal has nearly <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2022/09/south-asia-needs-its-own-tiger-plan-qa-with-nepals-maheshwar-dhakal/">tripled</a> the number of tigers in the country since 2010. Bardiya National Park of Nepal and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, India won the <a href="https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/sites-in-nepal-and-india-awarded-for-doubling-tiger-populations-4123">TX2 Award</a> for doubling their wild tiger population.   There was growing doubt that Nepal could double its population due to the limited <a href="https://www.cifor.org/publications/pdf_files/Papers/PBaral1501.pdf">tiger habitat</a>. However, Nepal also worked to expand the tiger habitat from 4,503 km^2 before 2010 to 6,206 km^2 after 2015 which helped the efforts tremendously.  Traditionally, the indigenous Tharu villagers slashed and burned the patches of tall grassland, which allowed the growth of fresh grassland, and now this <a href="https://www.eco-business.com/news/indigenous-knowledge-vital-in-conservation-of-nepals-tigers/">indigenous knowledge is used as it is vital for conservation</a> efforts.  As the tiger population grows there have been sightings of <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/climate-environment/2020/04/13/tiger-sighted-at-a-record-altitude-of-2-500-metres-in-dadeldhura-forest">tigers in the mountainous range</a> both in western Nepal as well as in <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/climate-environment/2020/12/11/tiger-spotted-at-a-record-altitude-of-3-165-metres-in-eastern-nepal">eastern Nepal</a>.   As the tiger population increased, <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2022/06/11/bardiya-residents-are-paying-the-brutal-price-of-tiger-conservation">tiger attacks</a> also increased. These attacks have led to <a href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2022/06/07/bardiya-locals-continue-protest-following-death-of-teenager-in-clash-with-police">protests about safety from wildlife. against tiger attacks.</a> There are also accusations that <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2022/05/tiger-centric-conservation-efforts-push-other-predators-to-the-fringes/">tiger-centric conservation pushes other predators to the fringe</a>, as the tiger-centric grassland ecosystem is not suitable for all animals.  Nepal’s Environment Minister Birendra Mahato caused <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2023/07/critics-decry-nepal-ministers-terrible-idea-of-sport-hunting-tigers/">outrage</a> when he suggested creating open bidding and allowing the highest bidder to hunt tigers for a month every four to five years. He argued that $25 million for every tiger killed and only five tigers would easily cover the environment ministry’s total budget for a fiscal year.  There are still some incidents where <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/six-persons-arrested-on-charge-of-smuggling-tiger-skins-in-dhading/">smugglers are caught with tiger skin</a>s, which proves, that the tigers aren’t completely safe.  Tigers are the supreme predators of Nepal, and it’s clear that a balance needs to be found so human attacks are decreased and livestock is kept safe while ensuring the tiger population stays up. Note: The image is a mixed work created by Kripendra Amatya Sources of Original Photos:<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bengal_tiger_roaring.png">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bengal_tiger_roaring.png</a><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:THE_MAJESTIC_ROYAL_BENGAL_TIGER.JPG">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:THE_MAJESTIC_ROYAL_BENGAL_TIGER.JPG</a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/97303475@N00/4211796306/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/97303475@N00/4211796306/</a>  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/the-water-buffalo-of-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/2f8eb2a3-ed88-4c30-8a53-8aa4a5ef6d57.jpg The Water Buffalo of Nepal In December 2024, the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/people-for-ethical-treatment-of-animals-peta-india-nepal-stop-slaughter-during-gadhimai-festival-2645298-2024-12-05"> Gadhimai festival</a>, the largest animal sacrifice in the world was conducted in Nepal. Sadly, graphic images are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtp8IvaaZkI">widely circulated</a> and have attracted international attention.  The earliest <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bikramvaidya.com/post/why-do-newar-s-eat-water-buffalo">evidence</a> of water buffalo slaughter in South Asia can be found in the seal of the Indus Valley civilization. In Hinduism, Durga is believed to have slaughtered the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://allinfomakaut.blogspot.com/2021/10/mahisasura-mardini-panel-of.html">Mahisasur</a>, the buffalo demon around the beginning of the Christian era.  In (Kathmandu Valley) Nepal Valley’s mythology, the second dynasty of Nepal was the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://itihasaa.com/pre-history/gopal-and-mahispal-dynasty/">Mahispal dynasty</a>, the buffalo herder dynasty that ruled ancient Nepal for more than a century. This may have been the first string that created a strong connection between buffalo meat and the culture of Kathmandu Valley. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/16758">agencies</a> belonging to the Government of Nepal provide more than a hundred buffaloes for the sacrifice in Taleju temples in Kathmandu for the yearly Dashain festival.  According to legend, while King Harisingh Dev migrated from Simraungad towards Kathmandu, his army was hungry. The goddess Tulja Bhawani ordered them to eat the first animal they saw in the morning, which was the water buffalo. Harisign Dev’s dynasty later ruled Kathmandu Valley which then integrated and established Newari culture. After the Shah dynasty came into power, people who ate buffalo meat were frowned upon. People have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/a-profitable-switch-from-cow-farming-to-buffaloes/">switched</a> from cows to buffaloes as they are more profitable. Their milk is thicker, their manure makes for a good fertilizer, they require less medicine and after they are no longer productive they can be sold for their meat.  People such as Nir Bahadur Thapa who has a Bachelor’s degree and used to teach students, now works as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/door-to-door-milk-delivery-does-the-magic-for-tanahun-farmer/">door-to-door milkman</a> by raising 14 buffaloes and selling his milk.   Buffalo skin is also used for the traditional Nagara drum. The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://english.khabarhub.com/2021/14/196652/">280 kg Nagara drum</a> in Kothekhola Rural Municipality was created with buffalo skin and would be played in festivals around Dashain as well as Chaite Dashain. This is the biggest drum in Nepal!   The wild <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-3/2022/08/16/all-relocated-wild-buffaloes-at-chitwan-national-park-die-of-various-causes">water buffalo</a> went <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/nature/nepal-fails-in-ambitious-attempt-to-revive-wild-water-buffalo-populations/">extinct in the 1960s</a> in Nepal, and repeated efforts to reintroduce them in Chitwan have failed.  The Nepali water buffalo has many interesting facets; from from nature, religion, and Nepali cuisine.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/tips-for-crews-filming-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/be28f433-c821-4005-b177-7ffc2a2e8aa7.jpg TIPS FOR CREWS FILMING IN NEPAL: Etiquette: The best form of greeting and saying hello/goodbye in Nepal is putting both palms together and saying “Namaste”, just like in yoga. In Kathmandu our Nepali production crew members are hip to the west and it’s perfectly fine to shake hands, but when meeting rural people in villages, local cast members, and people on the street/village, it’s better to do your “namaste” with two palms together. Food: The National dish is Dhal Bhat - rice and lentils, very tasty. Important safety tips: When ordering food its best to stay with the basics:Cooked Food- Dhal Bhat is the best choice always. Cooked chicken, cooked buffalo meat.  As you know cows are sacred in Nepal so don’t ask for beef. (Although some restaurants already serve imported beef, it’s changing now).Fish: Nepal is a land locked country, no ocean. Although on menus, you should know that most fish are imported from India therefore not always daily fresh. There are exceptions such as villages that are by rivers that have a supply of fresh fish.Veggies- Stay with cooked veggies. Raw veggies are not a good idea (.ie. ordering a salad, not advisable unless you know for sure the vegetables were properly treated).Fruit- All fruits that can be peeled are safe. Banana, tangerines/clementines,and oranges. (In season). Beverages- All sodas are safe since they go through a process that eliminates bacteria. All boiled drinks are safe- tea, coffee and boiled milk. Make sure to try Nepali Chai -tea boiled together with milk, sugar and a masala blend of cardamom and cloves.Water:  Drink only thoroughly boiled water, bottled water, or water you know has been treated. Drinking from the tap in Nepal is not advisable.-It is advisable to also brush your teeth with bottled/ boiled water, since tap water is not treated in Nepal and may be ingested when brushing your teeth. Sticking to these little tips should minimize the chances of stomach bugs.  Please rest assured- if you do not feel right there is an excellent Clinic staffed with foreign and Nepali doctors in Kathmandu:  CIWEC – Clinic. Travel  Medicine Center –British- Indian Embassy Rd. Lainchur, Kathmandu, Nepal  Tel: 9771 442 4111 or 9771 443 5232 or 9771 4413163www.ciwec-clinic.com Useful sites on medical matters & Immunizations in Nepal:www.ciwec-clinic.com/health-information/immunizations-recommended-for-travel-in-nepal/wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/nepal.htm  Stay healthy and enjoy the beauty, Nepal is an absolutely amazing country!Namaste, The Nepa~laya Team.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/villager-migration-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/e3d9e3e6-2082-4906-8ac4-1679a9ab1114.jpeg Villager migration in Nepal Nepal a country famous for its beautiful snow-capped Himalayan mountains, also has a harsh side. Cold winters, alongside harsh terrain, created a need for people to migrate.   The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/upper-mustang-folks-travel-to-lowland-areas-to-avoid-cold">locals of Mustang</a>  (in Lomanthang, Ghami, Chhoser, Surkhang, and Chhonhup) would grow barley, wheat, buckwheat, and potatoes and complete the harvest by the second week of October so they prepare to leave the villages for their seasonal migration in the  lowlands for at least four months.  People with health and age issues however stay in the high mountainous villages, while the schools in Upper Mustang run mobile classes in several places in Pokhara.  Similarly, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/manang-folks-descend-to-escape-biting-cold">people of Manang</a> migrate southward to avoid the cold in November but travel industry professionals remain until the end of the tourist season in the Manang district.  In low-income rural areas such as the village of Sindhupalchowk district, out of 60 students only half attend regular classes in Summer (April to August) due to their commitments with family chores. They usually go<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/jugal-rural-municipality-school-finds-way-to-overcome-language-barrier"> with their parents</a> to the mountains to herd yak and sheep.  These villages lack local teachers because no one stays in the village after completing 10th grade.  In eastern Nepal, outward migration <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/eastern-nepal-s-depopulating-mountains">is an age old phenomenon</a>- people migrate to Assam, Sikkim, and Bhutan for opportunities. Many even migrate out of Nepal as they are recruited into the British Army. The Gurkha send remittances and buy real estate in the Dharan-Itahari-Damak corridor in Terai but not in their traditional hometown.  There is a growing trend where villagers leave the village and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-1/2020/10/10/rapid-migration-leaving-kuruletenupa-in-dhankuta-empty-of-people">migrate</a> to urban spaces. In one case, within a short period of 14 years, 300 families out of 886 families moved out of two wards in Chaubise Rural Municipality. In some places, 90% of the villages are deserted.   There is a larger percentage of seniors, in villages, while youth have moved to cities to get better lives.  As health posts, schools, and ward offices are also being established- the outward flow has also decreased.  Some Rural Municipalities have announced a reward; a cow and Rs. 100,000 to each family that returns. The local government hoped the young educated men would be attracted to cash crops, irrigation, and agriculture. Nepal’s new federal structure with empowered local government alongside the expansion of the road network has been accepted as a positive transformation of the country. However, empty rural spaces and stories could still be found in Nepal and could be an incredibly interesting story for an idea to film in Nepal.   “The tides of change; the empty villages of Nepal”.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/water-activities-of-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/045279a3-e9ac-4cf1-89d9-7bec197da367.jpeg Water Activities of Nepal Nepal, a small landlocked country is known for its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nepjol.info/index.php/NJST/article/view/4141">5,358 lakes</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11202181_03.pdf">6000 rivers</a> (including rivulets and tributaries that create a cumulative length of 45,000km.)A group of mountaineers in 2019 found <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/kajin-sara-lake-discovered-in-nepal-gains-fame-as-the-highest-lake-in-the-world/articleshow/70771740.cms">Kajin Sara Lake</a> at an altitude of 5200 meters making it one of highest altitude lake in the world. In 1976, an American Mountaineer Mike Yager established <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2022/06/25/promoting-white-water-rafting">the first commercial river rafting</a> company in Nepal. Yager an experienced river guide from the US trained the first batch of Nepali enthusiasts allowing a new era of professional rafting in Nepal. In 1989, the umbrella organization for rafting companies- the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies was established. The organization estimates that 10% of the 6,000 rivers are suitable for rafting. The top five rivers for rafting are i) Trishuli, ii) Sunkoshi, iii) Seti, iv) Kaligandaki & v) Bhote Koshi.  Kayaking can be traced back to Eskimos who made kayaks with animal skulls and skin used for hunting and fishing in the Arctic region. Canoeing/Kayaking became an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.olympedia.org/editions/11/sports/CSP">Olympic sport</a> in 1936.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://luxuryholidaytreks.com/other-adventure/kayaking-in-nepal/">Kayaking</a> started in Nepal alongside rafting in 1975. There can be single-day trips as well as 2-3 days trip camping on river beaches along the route of Kayaking. Kayakers in Nepal get to explore the most remote landscapes and villages of Nepal. Another popular sport in Nepal is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://traveltriangle.com/blog/canyoning-in-nepal/">Canyoning</a>. It is an adventure sport that progresses along a riverbed with or without water. Canyoning (Canyoneering in the US) uses ropes, conceptual jumps, swims, and down climbing.Most canyons ideal for canyoning are bedrock stones, forming narrow gorges with numerous drops. The down climber uses static ropes, helmets wetsuits, shoes, packs, and rope bags as for safety. People enjoy caves, canyons, waterfalls, rivers, lush forests, and beautiful hills. Major sites for Canyoning are Jalbire, Chitwan, Kakani, Sundarijal, Panglang Khola, Khalang Khola, Bhukunthe Khola A simpler enjoyable water sport is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hawaiianpaddlesports.com/news/history-of-stand-up-paddling/">Paddle Boarding</a>. Standup paddle boarding has its roots in Hawaii and surfing, and in 2017 it was introduced to Nepal in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://walkthroughhimalayas.com/travel-blog-detail/standup-paddle-boarding-in-phewa-lake">Phewa Lake</a> and gained a lot of interest in the tourist hub of Pokhara.Finally, one of the major water activities in Nepal is the Boat Safari. Indigenous ethnic groups such as Bote and Majhi communities are known to sustain their lives by using boats and fishing. In 1968, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.lookandlearn.com/blog/26698/edmund-hillary-returns-to-nepal-for-a-jet-boat-river-expedition/">Sir Edmund Hillary</a>, the first person to climb Everest returned to Nepal with two specially-designed boats (Kiwi and the Sherpa) each 15ft long and driven by 140 horse-power V6 engines. The objective of the expedition was to use Sun Koshi, Tamur, and Arun as the means of communication in an area where there were no roads. Nepal a country rich in rivers and lakes with beautiful landscapes and rich vegetation also acts as an opportunity for amazing boat safaris in various locations. Chitwan Boat Safari provides the opportunity for bird watching and viewing endangered species such as crocodiles, rhinos, and sometimes even Bengali tigers.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/women-lead-nepal-part-i 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/2480bd33-3141-4527-aa60-7f34727775e3.jpeg Women Lead Nepal: Part I Stories of women-led entrepreneurships and leadership success are plentiful in Nepal, but are often not brought to the forefront.  8 years ago a women's group in the Chisapani Community Forest in Bardaghat Nepal, started producing citronella and lemongrass on 40 hectares of degraded community forest land, saving thousands of Nepali rupees following the distribution of the sales money to women.  Since then the group has been <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/now-nepals-herbal-oil-in-europe/">exporting herbal oil to europe</a>, giving back to the community and profiting greatly from their success.  Another such story is Goma’s. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/money-grows-on-trees-here/">Goma</a>, didn’t know the basics of mountain farming. 20 years ago she married a school teacher just like her father, but his salary was not enough to support their family. She decided to start helping her father-in-law in the fields as he patiently taught her the basics of farming on a terraced farm at the edge of a hill.  The two worked to grow maize, millet, buckwheat and vegetables. Goma then planted two saplings but the yielding of the fruit depended on care rather than numbers. She learned about commercial farming for cauliflower, tomatoes,  and fruits such as litchi and mangos.  She tackled irrigation issues, animals destroying crops and vegetation. She noticed that an old lemon tree on the farm did not need to be tended to that carefully nor did it need much irrigation.   Goma and her husband sold the lemon in the market and did small calculations,  and quickly found out that there is a huge demand for lemons, but Nepal was mainly importing lemons from India every year.  In 2013 they planted 10 saplings. Neighbors ridiculed them and family was not happy with the decision and expected the couple to fail. Goma added more lemon saplings and by the third year, they were selling the first harvest in nearby markets.   Today her lemons go to Chitwan, Kathmandu, Pokhara, and further afield. Goma sold 10,000 lemon saplings and annual sales of lemons have crossed 9 tonnes giving Goma’s company a profit of over Rs.1.2 million in just 2 years ago. She also sold 150 liters of concentrated lemon juice to test the market and lemon pickle to create value-added products.  Her eldest son enrolled in University and is now studying Agriculture on full scholarship. Her efforts have been encouraging Nepal to be self-reliant on fruit production. Goma’s story is one of many women led success stories in Nepal. Stay tuned for our part 2 Women Lead Nepal post.      https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/women-lead-nepal-part-ii 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/c6e1180d-7663-4c82-bec5-858e1d50c1e3.jpeg Women Lead Nepal: Part II The new technology has empowered women, one of the cases is of Kamal Rai.  She came across a YouTube video of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://theannapurnaexpress.com/news/shree-mahakali-pearl-farm-and-training-center-the-pioneer-pearl-farmers-4403">freshwater pearl farming</a> in India watched several instructional videos and realized she could start her own business.  The pearl farming can be done with a small investment and a bit of knowledge. She founded Shree Mahakali Pearl Farm and Training Center in 2018- Nepal’s first and only commercial pearl farm.  At the farm, freshwater mussels are used to grow cultured pearls. These pearls are used to make jewelry, handicraft items, and fish feed.  Pearl has a high demand in the country and Nepal imports $376.24 in 2019. Her farm offers three-month training that provides knowledge of surgery, and preoperative, and post-operative mussel care.  Shree Mahakali Pearl Farm sells individual pearls whose prices range from Rs.300-Rs.600 per piece depending on their size quality and shine.   As society changes social norms have also been transformed.  It was taboo for females to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/ramechhap-women-tilling-their-fields">till field</a> but that has been debunked in Ramechhap as females are taking roles because males of the villages have gone for foreign employment, forcing them to till the land. After they started tilling, society also started respecting her.  In another case, women have been able to be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/sudurpaschim-province/2021/11/29/how-women-leadership-changed-the-face-of-this-rural-village-in-bajhang">community leaders</a>. Khori Village, Bajhang used to be riddled with Chhaupadi, casteism, gender disparity, and violence.  Women worked on farms while males leisurely played cards and carom all day and in the evening would drink alcohol returning home a dunk.  The women came together to form an informal committee, the first decision was to stop the production of alcohol in the village.  Then women levied a fine of Rs.5,000 to anyone who came drunk in the village. They used the money for development projects such as drinking water taps. 34% of the total budget was collected from fines on alcohol consumption and sales and 66% was supported by Rural Village Water Resource Management Project.  These are a few stories of women who have been contributing to national development, each has its own unique story.  Women traditionally have been contributing in areas such as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kathmandupost.com/money/2020/10/04/as-border-with-china-is-closed-nepali-carpets-in-taplejung-find-no-market">carpet industry</a>. However, with technological accessibility, women have been able to achieve and share their stories with to rest of the world.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/yarsa-nepals-traditional-medicine 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/a3367530-3423-4f31-8880-2224c472579a.jpeg Yarsa- Nepal’s Traditional Medicine Yarsa Gumba- is a fungus found in the Himalayan Mountains. Yarsa Gumba or Catpillar fungus is also known as the ‘Himalayan Viagra’ due to its aphrodisiac components, and has been the subject of quite a few films.  What is the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thediplomat.com/2014/08/yarsagumba-biological-gold/">backstory</a> of this famous traditional medicine?  In the 1980s Yarsa was traded for cigarettes, noodles, and other goods, but it started to skyrocket in the 90’s when female distance runners in China announced they were fed a soup of Yarsa Gumba and turtle blood. After 2001 Yarsa became officially legal, and by 2011 the local market of Yarsagumba spiked 2300%. However, Yarsa Gumba can sell for up to $13,000 in Tibet and $26,000 in Shanghai China, while farmers and harvesters only make $283. Yarsa have brought great fortune to many but it has also brought conditions similar to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/nation/yarsagumba-dispute-dolpa,1424">opium-producing regions</a> in Afghanistan. There are countless stories of violence and conflict between harvesters and buyers, but these stories go un-investigated and there have been numerous unsolved murders cases sadly connected to the Yarsa industry.  There are regions however that are well protected by the communities, with each community holding their right to the Yarsa in village. While non residents pay an entrance fee. In addition to conflict, Yarsa growing is incredibly sensitive. There is evidence in certain areas of overcrowding and overharvesting, and there is fear that it is on the verge of extinction if the Nepali Government continues to permit a large number of pickers to go to the highlands while people without any permit join them.  In 2020, the fungus has already been categorized as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for Nature Conservation.  Now, with global climate change, conservationists are noticing that Yarsa has become scarcer.   https://nepalayaproductions.com/post/yomari-a-cult-of-cuisine 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/post/2b43567b-bcdc-43fb-a1f1-7d4e77f5899e.jpg Yomari - a cult of cuisine Yomari means “favorite bread” in the Newari language, Newari is the original language of the Kathmandu Valley. The Yomari dish is a symbol of the rich culinary culture of Kathmandu and its outskirts.  Yomari is similar to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42779-019-0002-x">a sweet dumpling</a> created with rice flour molasses and a sesame filling. However, there are multiple layers to this cuisine. Yomari encompasses a wonderful tradition surrounded by legends, festive ceremonies, songs, as well as personal stories.The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239343054_Lumbini_as_International_Pilgrimage_Destination_Authenticity_and_Significance">legend</a> suggests, that Yomari was a dish created by a married couple; Suchandra and Krita from Panchal Desh (present-day Panauti a village on the outskirts of Kathmandu), and the belief is the dish was blessed by ‘Kubera’, the god of wealth.Yomari is a festive dish and is celebrated especially during the full moon in winter. It is associated with a post-rice harvest ceremony where rice grains are stored in-house. Apart from the annual event, after the 8th month of pregnancy, Yomari is brought from the maternal house for the ceremony known as Dhaubaji nakegu (yogurt and beaten rice eating ceremony) which is similar to a baby shower in the West.On the 2nd birthday of the child, the maternal house sends Yomari and additional Yomari has to be produced in the paternal house.Yomari has a role in celebrating ‘even’ birth years. Newari children up to the age of twelve wear a garland of Yomari with uncooked rice filling in their ‘even’ birth years. The child will wear two Yomaris on their second birthday and four Yomaris on their fourth birthday, and that will continue until they are twelve. In an old age ceremony known as Buda Janku, the senior is showered with a bucket full of Yomari and sesame (known as taula) this process is called Lukegu.The Jyapu community of Lalitpur uses Yomari in Kija Puja which shows a distinct regional/caste-based variation. Yomari is thrown and scattered from the chariot ceremony of Janabahadyo (also known as White Machhendranath) and Bungadyo (aka Red Machhendranath). The lucky person who can catch it will accept it as prasad (a divine blessing that can be eaten). In the UK, the Newari community integrates the Yomari tradition around the Holiday season of Christmas. Similarly, in Master Chef UK, the finalist Santosh Shah, a Nepali, served a modified version of Yomari in the competition.Yomari has transformed from a traditional dish produced for specific occasions into a commercial product served in restaurants. Yomari is a beautiful traditional cultural heritage of Nepal that must be documented before its essence gets lost in time.  https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/custom-clearance 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/equipment-rental 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/local-crew 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/location-scouting 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/logistics 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/permits 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/service/research-story-ideas 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/team/arpan-sharma 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/team/bece1a2c-1012-4e65-82f1-9d01b6851a3d.png Arpan Sharma Arpan Sharma https://nepalayaproductions.com/team/dana-moyal-kolevzon 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/team/05a2cdc9-22e3-4908-b31b-f069775d37dd.png Dana Moyal Kolevzon Dana Moyal Kolevzon https://nepalayaproductions.com/team/kiran-krishna-shrestha 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/team/0ed030db-93b9-4054-a8ee-7bdb8b55ed67.png Kiran Krishna Shrestha Kiran Krishna Shrestha https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/alwaleed-shooting-in-gorkha 2025-11-03T03:41:51Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/aveda-estee-lauder-advertisment-usa 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/image/c797d9fa-c2b4-4b15-ab5a-c20a37aa7c91.png AVEDA/ ESTEE LAUDER- ADVERTISMENT- USA Nepalaya Productions assisted the Aveda Estee Lauder cosmetics ad company in their Holiday Campaign centered on Nepal and Nepali Herbs. We filmed in various locations around Nepal and Kathmandu. Including Sindhupalchok and the Dolkha region filming Himalayan herbs and documenting the indigenous process of collecting herbs. The film shoot was also welfare oriented as Aveda Estee Lauder also promotes the support of indigenous traditions. The filming also took place in the beautiful Dwarikas Hotel, a hotel known for its traditional Newar woodworking, as hotel known for its cultural preservation  https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/e62057aa-d4f4-41d1-9386-19434e74761c.jpg AVEDA/ ESTEE LAUDER- ADVERTISMENT- USA Nepalaya Productions assisted the Aveda Estee Lauder cosmetics ad company in their Holiday Campaign centered on Nepal and Nepali Herbs. We filmed in various locations around Nepal and Kathmandu. Including Sindhupalchok and the Dolkha region filming Himalayan herbs and documenting the indigenous process of collecting herbs. The film shoot was also welfare oriented as Aveda Estee Lauder also promotes the support of indigenous traditions. The filming also took place in the beautiful Dwarikas Hotel, a hotel known for its traditional Newar woodworking, as hotel known for its cultural preservation  https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/bnn-vara-op-reis 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/9bb01872-d037-4fb8-a6e9-89d6ff342c69.jpg BNN VARA- “Op Reis” Nepalaya Productions has worked several times with BNN Vara on different episodes on their “OP REIS” program. Our responsibilities included research, booking talent, location sourcing and all ground logisitics. Among episodes we worked on for Op Reiss was an episode highlighting the Living Goddess of Nepal “Kumari”. Kumari, a young girl appointed as a living goddess is an ancient Nepalese tradition, the episode offers a glimpse into the Kumari's personal experiences and provides a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of her role. The same episode also addressed the pressing issue of Chhaupadi, highlighting the challenges faced by women in Nepal who are subjected to this harmful practice of isolation during menstruation. By exploring both the Kumari tradition and the issue of Chhaupadi, the episodes aims to raise awareness about cultural complexities and social issues in Nepal. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/7d485283-bc00-48a6-aa3b-dd06f3774b74.JPG BNN VARA- “Op Reis” Nepalaya Productions has worked several times with BNN Vara on different episodes on their “OP REIS” program. Our responsibilities included research, booking talent, location sourcing and all ground logisitics. Among episodes we worked on for Op Reiss was an episode highlighting the Living Goddess of Nepal “Kumari”. Kumari, a young girl appointed as a living goddess is an ancient Nepalese tradition, the episode offers a glimpse into the Kumari's personal experiences and provides a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of her role. The same episode also addressed the pressing issue of Chhaupadi, highlighting the challenges faced by women in Nepal who are subjected to this harmful practice of isolation during menstruation. By exploring both the Kumari tradition and the issue of Chhaupadi, the episodes aims to raise awareness about cultural complexities and social issues in Nepal. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/5e1766d7-d835-4057-b921-cb71969e103e.JPG BNN VARA- “Op Reis” Nepalaya Productions has worked several times with BNN Vara on different episodes on their “OP REIS” program. Our responsibilities included research, booking talent, location sourcing and all ground logisitics. Among episodes we worked on for Op Reiss was an episode highlighting the Living Goddess of Nepal “Kumari”. Kumari, a young girl appointed as a living goddess is an ancient Nepalese tradition, the episode offers a glimpse into the Kumari's personal experiences and provides a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of her role. The same episode also addressed the pressing issue of Chhaupadi, highlighting the challenges faced by women in Nepal who are subjected to this harmful practice of isolation during menstruation. By exploring both the Kumari tradition and the issue of Chhaupadi, the episodes aims to raise awareness about cultural complexities and social issues in Nepal. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/697db49b-1718-456f-90e0-e9eea2cc2015.jpg BNN VARA- “Op Reis” Nepalaya Productions has worked several times with BNN Vara on different episodes on their “OP REIS” program. Our responsibilities included research, booking talent, location sourcing and all ground logisitics. Among episodes we worked on for Op Reiss was an episode highlighting the Living Goddess of Nepal “Kumari”. Kumari, a young girl appointed as a living goddess is an ancient Nepalese tradition, the episode offers a glimpse into the Kumari's personal experiences and provides a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of her role. The same episode also addressed the pressing issue of Chhaupadi, highlighting the challenges faced by women in Nepal who are subjected to this harmful practice of isolation during menstruation. By exploring both the Kumari tradition and the issue of Chhaupadi, the episodes aims to raise awareness about cultural complexities and social issues in Nepal. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/cb29ff14-c764-4d36-91fd-835eda02f7df.JPG BNN VARA- “Op Reis” Nepalaya Productions has worked several times with BNN Vara on different episodes on their “OP REIS” program. Our responsibilities included research, booking talent, location sourcing and all ground logisitics. Among episodes we worked on for Op Reiss was an episode highlighting the Living Goddess of Nepal “Kumari”. Kumari, a young girl appointed as a living goddess is an ancient Nepalese tradition, the episode offers a glimpse into the Kumari's personal experiences and provides a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of her role. The same episode also addressed the pressing issue of Chhaupadi, highlighting the challenges faced by women in Nepal who are subjected to this harmful practice of isolation during menstruation. By exploring both the Kumari tradition and the issue of Chhaupadi, the episodes aims to raise awareness about cultural complexities and social issues in Nepal. https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/etv-south-africa-child-trafficking 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/footpath-picturesiom-nepal-aftermath-of-nepal-earthquake 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/782cfb06-86ca-485e-8c89-4612f84b8ca5.JPG FOOTPATH PICTURES/IOM NEPAL – AFTERMATH OF NEPAL EARTHQUAKE The story revolves around Chautara, a community in Nepal, and their efforts to rebuild and provide shelter for people affected by the earthquake. Faced with the impending monsoon season, Chautara becomes a symbol of resilience as its residents work tirelessly to create safe havens for their fellow citizens. This inspiring narrative showcases the struggle to survive in Nepal, with the local community receiving support from international aid organizations. It highlights the collaborative spirit and determination of the Nepali people, coupled with the invaluable assistance from foreign partners, as they come together to overcome adversity and rebuild their lives. Link: https://www.sas.com/en_us/customers/iom.html   https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/0a6d8ba5-8a06-4f04-a40e-b2dad65e7fef.JPG FOOTPATH PICTURES/IOM NEPAL – AFTERMATH OF NEPAL EARTHQUAKE The story revolves around Chautara, a community in Nepal, and their efforts to rebuild and provide shelter for people affected by the earthquake. Faced with the impending monsoon season, Chautara becomes a symbol of resilience as its residents work tirelessly to create safe havens for their fellow citizens. This inspiring narrative showcases the struggle to survive in Nepal, with the local community receiving support from international aid organizations. It highlights the collaborative spirit and determination of the Nepali people, coupled with the invaluable assistance from foreign partners, as they come together to overcome adversity and rebuild their lives. Link: https://www.sas.com/en_us/customers/iom.html   https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/ff0b3403-c185-49b5-b059-200b9ffbef42.JPG FOOTPATH PICTURES/IOM NEPAL – AFTERMATH OF NEPAL EARTHQUAKE The story revolves around Chautara, a community in Nepal, and their efforts to rebuild and provide shelter for people affected by the earthquake. Faced with the impending monsoon season, Chautara becomes a symbol of resilience as its residents work tirelessly to create safe havens for their fellow citizens. This inspiring narrative showcases the struggle to survive in Nepal, with the local community receiving support from international aid organizations. It highlights the collaborative spirit and determination of the Nepali people, coupled with the invaluable assistance from foreign partners, as they come together to overcome adversity and rebuild their lives. Link: https://www.sas.com/en_us/customers/iom.html   https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/her-name-was-sita-cpsp 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/image/e279b8d9-60de-4c03-a732-5bafc7c2f0c7.jpg “HER NAME WAS SITA”- CPSP University of Edinborough’s Centre For Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) provided Nepalaya Productions with the opportunity to work with a non-profit organization. Our role included coordinating sensitive locations such as hospitals and health clinics, we also filmed in farms, and pesticide vendors in the areas where the CPSP operates. Additionally, we collected b-roll footage to showcase the livelihoods of people living in five monumental areas of World Heritage Sites (Swayambhu, Pashupati, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Lalitpur Durbar Square), as well as in the traditional space of Kirtipur. Nepalaya Productions also handled the editing of these educational films which resulted in a short film “My name is Sita”.Other filming locations included Dhulikhel, where we filmed local pesticide vendors. As the topic of pesticide suicide is sensitive, we made sure that only a few people stayed on-site during the filming process, and our cinematographer conducted translations as needed. Our team values learning new skills and tackling sensitive topics. We had the opportunity to meet with experts in various fields, such as members of law enforcement in Nepal, forensic lab doctors, psychologists, anthropologists, and many more, which helped us broaden our horizons.Filming with the CPSP was a fresh experience for us, and appreciate the opportunity to work on such important projects that help save countless lives. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/image/09dd221c-89ff-4400-b0f5-8eeb6251b812.jpg “HER NAME WAS SITA”- CPSP University of Edinborough’s Centre For Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) provided Nepalaya Productions with the opportunity to work with a non-profit organization. Our role included coordinating sensitive locations such as hospitals and health clinics, we also filmed in farms, and pesticide vendors in the areas where the CPSP operates. Additionally, we collected b-roll footage to showcase the livelihoods of people living in five monumental areas of World Heritage Sites (Swayambhu, Pashupati, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Lalitpur Durbar Square), as well as in the traditional space of Kirtipur. Nepalaya Productions also handled the editing of these educational films which resulted in a short film “My name is Sita”.Other filming locations included Dhulikhel, where we filmed local pesticide vendors. As the topic of pesticide suicide is sensitive, we made sure that only a few people stayed on-site during the filming process, and our cinematographer conducted translations as needed. Our team values learning new skills and tackling sensitive topics. We had the opportunity to meet with experts in various fields, such as members of law enforcement in Nepal, forensic lab doctors, psychologists, anthropologists, and many more, which helped us broaden our horizons.Filming with the CPSP was a fresh experience for us, and appreciate the opportunity to work on such important projects that help save countless lives. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/image/802ce9e6-baa9-4df7-8600-919fe26d2122.jpg “HER NAME WAS SITA”- CPSP University of Edinborough’s Centre For Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) provided Nepalaya Productions with the opportunity to work with a non-profit organization. Our role included coordinating sensitive locations such as hospitals and health clinics, we also filmed in farms, and pesticide vendors in the areas where the CPSP operates. Additionally, we collected b-roll footage to showcase the livelihoods of people living in five monumental areas of World Heritage Sites (Swayambhu, Pashupati, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Lalitpur Durbar Square), as well as in the traditional space of Kirtipur. Nepalaya Productions also handled the editing of these educational films which resulted in a short film “My name is Sita”.Other filming locations included Dhulikhel, where we filmed local pesticide vendors. As the topic of pesticide suicide is sensitive, we made sure that only a few people stayed on-site during the filming process, and our cinematographer conducted translations as needed. Our team values learning new skills and tackling sensitive topics. We had the opportunity to meet with experts in various fields, such as members of law enforcement in Nepal, forensic lab doctors, psychologists, anthropologists, and many more, which helped us broaden our horizons.Filming with the CPSP was a fresh experience for us, and appreciate the opportunity to work on such important projects that help save countless lives. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/image/73457268-4b8d-4a2d-a375-3102c12ef136.jpg “HER NAME WAS SITA”- CPSP University of Edinborough’s Centre For Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) provided Nepalaya Productions with the opportunity to work with a non-profit organization. Our role included coordinating sensitive locations such as hospitals and health clinics, we also filmed in farms, and pesticide vendors in the areas where the CPSP operates. Additionally, we collected b-roll footage to showcase the livelihoods of people living in five monumental areas of World Heritage Sites (Swayambhu, Pashupati, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Lalitpur Durbar Square), as well as in the traditional space of Kirtipur. Nepalaya Productions also handled the editing of these educational films which resulted in a short film “My name is Sita”.Other filming locations included Dhulikhel, where we filmed local pesticide vendors. As the topic of pesticide suicide is sensitive, we made sure that only a few people stayed on-site during the filming process, and our cinematographer conducted translations as needed. Our team values learning new skills and tackling sensitive topics. We had the opportunity to meet with experts in various fields, such as members of law enforcement in Nepal, forensic lab doctors, psychologists, anthropologists, and many more, which helped us broaden our horizons.Filming with the CPSP was a fresh experience for us, and appreciate the opportunity to work on such important projects that help save countless lives. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/image/3f6b4142-9ce4-42f5-a19d-e4c9d762a57b.jpg “HER NAME WAS SITA”- CPSP University of Edinborough’s Centre For Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) provided Nepalaya Productions with the opportunity to work with a non-profit organization. Our role included coordinating sensitive locations such as hospitals and health clinics, we also filmed in farms, and pesticide vendors in the areas where the CPSP operates. Additionally, we collected b-roll footage to showcase the livelihoods of people living in five monumental areas of World Heritage Sites (Swayambhu, Pashupati, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Lalitpur Durbar Square), as well as in the traditional space of Kirtipur. Nepalaya Productions also handled the editing of these educational films which resulted in a short film “My name is Sita”.Other filming locations included Dhulikhel, where we filmed local pesticide vendors. As the topic of pesticide suicide is sensitive, we made sure that only a few people stayed on-site during the filming process, and our cinematographer conducted translations as needed. Our team values learning new skills and tackling sensitive topics. We had the opportunity to meet with experts in various fields, such as members of law enforcement in Nepal, forensic lab doctors, psychologists, anthropologists, and many more, which helped us broaden our horizons.Filming with the CPSP was a fresh experience for us, and appreciate the opportunity to work on such important projects that help save countless lives. https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/hgtv-international-house-hunters 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/history-channel-extreme-airports 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/image/87f7d195-17a7-4860-a214-f6bf208f0d02.png HISTORY CHANNEL- “EXTREME AIRPORTS” The episode followed ten extreme airports worldwide, Nepal’s Lukla airport was featured in the episode as being the most dangerous airport in the world. Nepalaya Productions handled all aspects of production for this shoot. Including aerial shots, plane to plane shots, working closely with Nepali pilots, and handling appropriate equipment for the shoot including a lipstick camera. Our very own field producer Arpan Sharma had a cameo on this episode and was interviewed on the subject.  LINK: https://archive.org/details/vimeo-76554239  https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/investigation-discovery-royal-inquest 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/kathmandu-adventure-clothing-commercial 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/image/fc99bd50-8bfa-48ae-8708-578cfdf28eaa.png Kathmandu Adventure Clothing Commercial We filmed in and around Kathmandu as well as Langtang region. Because it was an adventure clothing we had to go to a remote region and so we took a chopper and traveled to the Langtang region. However, the producer got in an accident and broke his leg, we immediately had to come back to kathmandu for a medical emergency. This taught us an important lesson and help us be more professional with emergency skills. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/image/906e3868-890b-401f-a8e8-612e54bd57b1.png Kathmandu Adventure Clothing Commercial We filmed in and around Kathmandu as well as Langtang region. Because it was an adventure clothing we had to go to a remote region and so we took a chopper and traveled to the Langtang region. However, the producer got in an accident and broke his leg, we immediately had to come back to kathmandu for a medical emergency. This taught us an important lesson and help us be more professional with emergency skills. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/image/5c013b0f-5cd1-4966-a5a2-e39b927008ff.png Kathmandu Adventure Clothing Commercial We filmed in and around Kathmandu as well as Langtang region. Because it was an adventure clothing we had to go to a remote region and so we took a chopper and traveled to the Langtang region. However, the producer got in an accident and broke his leg, we immediately had to come back to kathmandu for a medical emergency. This taught us an important lesson and help us be more professional with emergency skills. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/dev/image/491af95a-3923-4096-9a0b-f58abdf1184b.png Kathmandu Adventure Clothing Commercial We filmed in and around Kathmandu as well as Langtang region. Because it was an adventure clothing we had to go to a remote region and so we took a chopper and traveled to the Langtang region. However, the producer got in an accident and broke his leg, we immediately had to come back to kathmandu for a medical emergency. This taught us an important lesson and help us be more professional with emergency skills. https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/media-corps-miss-adventures-singapore 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/96ba1b80-5d7b-4c2b-89c5-bca6e36230f2.JPG Media Corps- “Miss Adventures”- Singapore Nepalaya Productions handled all production aspects of the Nepal portion of this travelogue. Two models, Munah and Carla, travel from Singapore to Nepal’s Annapurna Base Camp. Shooting included navigating the wild traffic of Kathmandu, the damages caused by the earthquake, buying trekking gear in Thamel, and trekking the Himalayas. The duo trekked up to Ghandruk. As the altitude increased, the episode focused on the hardships of trekking and filming in the Himalayas. Finally, the crew reached 4120m, at Annapurna Base Camp, and successfully accomplished the mission of shooting a long and adventurous journey. LINK: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/itsmecarladunareanu/videos/what-did-munah-lose-in-the-final-episode-of-missadventures-watch-tonight-at-1030/996223597131747/">https://www.facebook.com/itsmecarladunareanu/videos/what-did-munah-lose-in-the-final-episode-of-missadventures-watch-tonight-at-1030/996223597131747/</a> https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/0ca94399-65b8-4bb7-91a6-70768ac1e1a4.JPG Media Corps- “Miss Adventures”- Singapore Nepalaya Productions handled all production aspects of the Nepal portion of this travelogue. Two models, Munah and Carla, travel from Singapore to Nepal’s Annapurna Base Camp. Shooting included navigating the wild traffic of Kathmandu, the damages caused by the earthquake, buying trekking gear in Thamel, and trekking the Himalayas. The duo trekked up to Ghandruk. As the altitude increased, the episode focused on the hardships of trekking and filming in the Himalayas. Finally, the crew reached 4120m, at Annapurna Base Camp, and successfully accomplished the mission of shooting a long and adventurous journey. LINK: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/itsmecarladunareanu/videos/what-did-munah-lose-in-the-final-episode-of-missadventures-watch-tonight-at-1030/996223597131747/">https://www.facebook.com/itsmecarladunareanu/videos/what-did-munah-lose-in-the-final-episode-of-missadventures-watch-tonight-at-1030/996223597131747/</a> https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/national-geographic-taboo-series 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/ac34982a-3b75-47a4-81e8-6f7b9f35d881.JPG NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC “TABOO SERIES” Nepalaya Productions handled all aspects of production for the National Geographic series “Taboo” in Nepal. Nepalaya Productions handled research, securing locations, sourcing expert interviews, and all ground logistics. By the third time “Taboo” was filmed in Nepal, National Geographic gave Nepalaya Productions full rein on filming the episode, and chose not to send a foreign crew. Instead, trusting us to film an entire episode of “Taboo”. Filmed materials were then sent to National Geographic. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/9940b6f6-93ca-45db-89d9-12f93a650898.JPG NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC “TABOO SERIES” Nepalaya Productions handled all aspects of production for the National Geographic series “Taboo” in Nepal. Nepalaya Productions handled research, securing locations, sourcing expert interviews, and all ground logistics. By the third time “Taboo” was filmed in Nepal, National Geographic gave Nepalaya Productions full rein on filming the episode, and chose not to send a foreign crew. Instead, trusting us to film an entire episode of “Taboo”. Filmed materials were then sent to National Geographic. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/9ad4ba4e-05f6-429a-bd6f-3032f5e25ebb.JPG NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC “TABOO SERIES” Nepalaya Productions handled all aspects of production for the National Geographic series “Taboo” in Nepal. Nepalaya Productions handled research, securing locations, sourcing expert interviews, and all ground logistics. By the third time “Taboo” was filmed in Nepal, National Geographic gave Nepalaya Productions full rein on filming the episode, and chose not to send a foreign crew. Instead, trusting us to film an entire episode of “Taboo”. Filmed materials were then sent to National Geographic. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/581b994f-afd0-4d9e-9d95-8b4fd8c67e96.JPG NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC “TABOO SERIES” Nepalaya Productions handled all aspects of production for the National Geographic series “Taboo” in Nepal. Nepalaya Productions handled research, securing locations, sourcing expert interviews, and all ground logistics. By the third time “Taboo” was filmed in Nepal, National Geographic gave Nepalaya Productions full rein on filming the episode, and chose not to send a foreign crew. Instead, trusting us to film an entire episode of “Taboo”. Filmed materials were then sent to National Geographic. https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/riksgalden 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/9d83bd85-e8be-46ef-bec8-7f4472630690.JPG Riksgalden We worked with Swedish company. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/123158e5-8cd2-44fa-a738-18c8ebdd5088.JPG Riksgalden We worked with Swedish company. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/49c35029-ebb3-4630-ab34-a4494537287a.JPG Riksgalden We worked with Swedish company. https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/1d19c8d5-ab51-43dd-97e3-b07faa5f122d.JPG Riksgalden We worked with Swedish company. https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/tv-globo-planeta-extremo 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/8457b43a-3f9d-4520-9a67-3b60a2dfdb97.jpg TV GLOBO- PLANETA EXTREMO Nepalaya Productions was hired to assist TV Globo in filming the ancient tradition of “Honey Hunting” in Nepal. Pre-Production for this episode lasted over 6 months. Sourcing a Honey Hunter community, securing hunters, hiring local crews to assist with the Brazilian crew, and making sure hosts were safe while joining the Honey Hunters was not an easy feat.  Filming was set for April 2015. As the crews were driving to Landruk where filming was about to take place, one of Nepal’s most devastating earthquakes suddenly struck. Boulders were falling around the vans, and the country had come to a complete halt.  The TV Globo production crew realized that Kathmandu suffered a major devastation. The production crew returned to Kathmandu and transformed into the only live foreign reporting agency in Nepal.  At that time, NTV and Kantipur were the only two agencies that had satellite connections. Nepalaya Productions, with its contacts, was able to convince NTV to collaborate with TV Globo, making TV Globo the first foreign television network to broadcast in Nepal and report directly from the site of the devastation.After completing the earthquake coverage, TV Globo proceeded to shoot the Honey Hunters episode for their award-winning series “Planeta Extremo” LINKS: <a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4805103/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4805103/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136580/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136580/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4804367/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4804367/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136579/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136579/</a> https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/5d7ea064-68e2-4ed3-b7b8-5ec51ca291d6.jpg TV GLOBO- PLANETA EXTREMO Nepalaya Productions was hired to assist TV Globo in filming the ancient tradition of “Honey Hunting” in Nepal. Pre-Production for this episode lasted over 6 months. Sourcing a Honey Hunter community, securing hunters, hiring local crews to assist with the Brazilian crew, and making sure hosts were safe while joining the Honey Hunters was not an easy feat.  Filming was set for April 2015. As the crews were driving to Landruk where filming was about to take place, one of Nepal’s most devastating earthquakes suddenly struck. Boulders were falling around the vans, and the country had come to a complete halt.  The TV Globo production crew realized that Kathmandu suffered a major devastation. The production crew returned to Kathmandu and transformed into the only live foreign reporting agency in Nepal.  At that time, NTV and Kantipur were the only two agencies that had satellite connections. Nepalaya Productions, with its contacts, was able to convince NTV to collaborate with TV Globo, making TV Globo the first foreign television network to broadcast in Nepal and report directly from the site of the devastation.After completing the earthquake coverage, TV Globo proceeded to shoot the Honey Hunters episode for their award-winning series “Planeta Extremo” LINKS: <a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4805103/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4805103/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136580/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136580/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4804367/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4804367/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136579/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136579/</a> https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/2a1e2f8e-b0e9-49f4-a5e5-495ad0ad0203.jpg TV GLOBO- PLANETA EXTREMO Nepalaya Productions was hired to assist TV Globo in filming the ancient tradition of “Honey Hunting” in Nepal. Pre-Production for this episode lasted over 6 months. Sourcing a Honey Hunter community, securing hunters, hiring local crews to assist with the Brazilian crew, and making sure hosts were safe while joining the Honey Hunters was not an easy feat.  Filming was set for April 2015. As the crews were driving to Landruk where filming was about to take place, one of Nepal’s most devastating earthquakes suddenly struck. Boulders were falling around the vans, and the country had come to a complete halt.  The TV Globo production crew realized that Kathmandu suffered a major devastation. The production crew returned to Kathmandu and transformed into the only live foreign reporting agency in Nepal.  At that time, NTV and Kantipur were the only two agencies that had satellite connections. Nepalaya Productions, with its contacts, was able to convince NTV to collaborate with TV Globo, making TV Globo the first foreign television network to broadcast in Nepal and report directly from the site of the devastation.After completing the earthquake coverage, TV Globo proceeded to shoot the Honey Hunters episode for their award-winning series “Planeta Extremo” LINKS: <a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4805103/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4805103/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136580/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136580/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4804367/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4804367/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136579/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136579/</a> https://media.nepalayaproductions.com/prod/work/images/0df8741c-2411-4d58-b1f6-80f5a5ca0ae7.jpg TV GLOBO- PLANETA EXTREMO Nepalaya Productions was hired to assist TV Globo in filming the ancient tradition of “Honey Hunting” in Nepal. Pre-Production for this episode lasted over 6 months. Sourcing a Honey Hunter community, securing hunters, hiring local crews to assist with the Brazilian crew, and making sure hosts were safe while joining the Honey Hunters was not an easy feat.  Filming was set for April 2015. As the crews were driving to Landruk where filming was about to take place, one of Nepal’s most devastating earthquakes suddenly struck. Boulders were falling around the vans, and the country had come to a complete halt.  The TV Globo production crew realized that Kathmandu suffered a major devastation. The production crew returned to Kathmandu and transformed into the only live foreign reporting agency in Nepal.  At that time, NTV and Kantipur were the only two agencies that had satellite connections. Nepalaya Productions, with its contacts, was able to convince NTV to collaborate with TV Globo, making TV Globo the first foreign television network to broadcast in Nepal and report directly from the site of the devastation.After completing the earthquake coverage, TV Globo proceeded to shoot the Honey Hunters episode for their award-winning series “Planeta Extremo” LINKS: <a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4805103/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4805103/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136580/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136580/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4804367/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4804367/</a><a href="https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136579/">https://globoplay.globo.com/v/4136579/</a> https://nepalayaproductions.com/work/undp-microsoft-partnership-for-post-earthquake-recovery-in-nepal 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/location/achham/post 2026-02-17T11:15:41Z https://nepalayaproductions.com/location/arghakhanchi/post 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