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There are 56 airports in the country. Of these, three are international, 10 are regional, and 43 are in the hilly districts. Likewise, Nijgadh International Airport in Bara, and the airports in Arghakhanchi, Achham and Kalikot, are at different stages of construction.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), air service has reached 46 out of 77 districts in the country so far. This data shows that the government is actively engaged in constructing airports. However, the state-owned aviation regulator and airport operator seems indifferent towards operating the constructed airports. Airfields in 12 districts have turned into grazing grounds due to a lack of flights. Small aircraft operate flights to some remote STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) airfields in the country. However, even this service is not reliable at present.

Nepal Airlines is providing services to some remote hilly districts. However, the state-owned carrier has only two Twin Otter aircraft for domestic flights. Currently, both planes are grounded due to technical issues.

Hansa Raj Pandey, the spokesperson and deputy director general of CAAN, said that air service was not being effective due to the lack of an integrated transport policy. “Air service falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. It should now be linked with transportation because foreign tourists are not the only ones who travel by air,” he added.

No flights after 14 years of operation

NAC operated flights to an airfield in Badachaur of Lungri-5, Rolpa regularly for 14 years. However,it stopped flights to the remote airfield in the 1990s. The Badachaur airfield has not seen any flight since that time. Despite this, the political leadership has shown little interest in resuming flights to the airfield.

“We have requested the federal government to resume flights to the airfield. They have been paying lip service only,” Bharat Kumar Thapa, chairperson of Lungri Rural Municipality, said. “We learned from the budget for the fiscal year 2024/25 that the Badachaur airfield will be upgraded. We are yet to receive further details.”

Thapa said that the number of tourists to Swargadwari in Pyuthan, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve in Baglung, and the Jaljala region of Rolpa could increase once flights to Badachaur become regular.

Irregular flights

Sher Bahadur Thapa from Tamghas, Gulmi, booked a flight to Resunga airfield from Kathmandu earlier this week. He was excited as the air service reduces travel time from an entire day to just 40 minutes. However, Thapa could not fly. Although the Twin Otter aircraft of Nepal Airlines took off from Kathmandu airport, it returned after 15 minutes citing a technical problem.

“We were told by the pilot that the flight was being turned back due to low visibility. Only after landing were we told that there was a technical problem,” Thapa said.

NAC has been operating scheduled flights to Resunga airfield since April last year. The airline initially operated two flights a week but soon increased the frequency to four flights a week.

However, the flight has now become uncertain as both Twin Otter aircraft of NAC remain grounded.

NAC Spokesperson Ramesh Poudel said both aircraft are likely to be airborne after repairs this week. “We lose Rs 600,000 per day if these aircraft serving 20 remote airfields are grounded,” Poudel added.

Private airlines also interested

Former Spokesperson of the Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), Yograj Kandel, said private carriers have also been requesting the government to operate flights to remote airfields. “Tara Air is interested in operating flights to Resunga airfield in Gulmi. The airfare could be about Rs 300 higher compared to NAC,” he said. “Tara Air is positive about operating daily flights.”

NAC currently charges Rs 7,500 for Resunga flights.

Former Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati said many airfields are turning into grazing grounds for cattle due to a lack of flights. “Public service delivery has been affected due to frequent changes in government and political instability,” Kirati said. “People in remote areas have been deprived of air service due to a lack of aircraft in NAC’s fleet.”

Pandey from CAAN said there is not much demand for flights to some remote airfields due to the construction of roads.

Barn owl (Tyto alba), also locally known as Gothe Latokosero of the family Tyonidae, is a nocturnal and mystical bird. It can be identified by its heart-shaped facial characteristics and a distinct screeching call.

Barn owls can be found on almost every continent except Antarctica. Globally it is concerned but categorized as vulnerable under the National Red List of Nepal Birds. It is one of the commonly known bird species and found in folklore and myths of almost every culture. They are associated with wealth, prosperity, patience, intelligence, and spiritual purity. Culturally it is believed that barn owls possesse the mystical power of fortune telling. 

Since barn owls are  nocturnal birds of prey, most people do not know about their habits and habitat. A barn owl can be found in elevations between 75 meters to 1,320 meters in Nepal. 

We do not have the scientific study that relates to the population of the barn owl; however, there is an expert guess which suggests that the population of the species is below one thousand in Nepal.

Ecological and economic significance

Barn owls and humans coexist with each other in a human-made environment. They can be found roosting and nesting in old buildings, especially inner areas of the roofs under the houses. It hunts rats, mice, and also small birds and bats. They play an important role as nocturnal predators by controlling the population of rodents and maintaining balance in the ecosystem.They safeguard the stored grains and agricultural products from pests like rodents. 

Threats

Globally the population of barn owls is stable but in the context of Nepal, their number is decreasing. Barn owls readily utilize human-made structures and live near human settlements.

The threats for this species range from habitat loss and degradation, illegal hunting and trade, use of pesticides, and lack of public awareness. Due to the extent of urbanization and the decrease in agricultural land, the barn owl lost its nesting and roosting site, and hunting area. Modernization of houses and lack of open lands negatively impact on barn owl population and its existence. An increase in the number of vehicles may raise the number of collisions as barn owls have low-flying flight patterns to catch their prey.

As this species merges and utilizes the human environment, change in that area directly impacts on existence. Lack of nesting and roosting places in modern houses, lack of hunting grounds is severely affecting the species. 

Furthermore, a study done in 2015 revealed that the earthquake caused an adverse effect on potential sites for barn owls in the Kathmandu Valley, as many old houses which have structures that support the nesting of the bird were damaged.

The use of pesticides to control the rodent population to increase agricultural products have also affected barn owls. Rodents after consuming rodenticides show reduced mobility, which makes them vulnerable to predation by barn owls. Consuming such rodents in turn may be causing the death of barn owls. 

What can be done?

While the barn owl is considered a resident bird species, it is essential to study its ecology, hunting behavior, habitat preferences, and zoonotic diseases. Public awareness about the benefit of barn owls can also help. One of the ongoing practices is the Nepal Owl Festival which is celebrated every year. These types of collective efforts promote owl conservation through the involvement of the community. As the effort is made on the localized scale, the government should support the concerned organizations to amplify the scale of coverage of the initiatives.  

Nepal has prepared a conservation action plan for barn owls. The action plan stipulates that the existence of the species depends on the safety of its habitat and availability of prey to hunt. Restoring its old habitats, encouraging the building of artificial nests in semi urban cities like Lumbini, Pokhara, Koshi and Bhaktapur helps in improving their habitat qualities. In the finer scale, practicing agroforestry with layers of trees, bushes and vegetation of native plants, helps maintain local biodiversity and also provides a safe habitat and hunting ground for barn owls. The approach will serve the dual purpose of providing important fodder and fuelwood for the household, as well as providing the protective layer for the crops.

To reduce illegal hunting, trade and harm to this bird, a penalty of Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 or an imprisonment of six months to one year or both, is in place. But most people are unaware about this law, so it would be good if we invest in awareness drives. 

Despite being the least concerned species in other parts of the range, the situation of barn owls in Nepal is terrifying. And most of the threats to the species finds their root in anthropogenic interferences. However, the species are yet to receive the conservation attention they deserve. We need to shift our focus to preserve the nesting, roosting and hunting sites of the barn owl and alleviate other threats to prevent the local extirpation of the species. 

Nepal’s second match against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was washed out at the Lauderhill Field in Florida, USA on Wednesday.

The match scheduled to start at 5:15 am Nepali time had to be abandoned without a ball bowled because of the incessant downpour, forcing the teams to share a point each before the toss was held.

This was the first time that Nepal and Sri Lanka were facing each other in the senior cricket team but the match had to be called off due to incessant rainfall.

Nepal are at fourth position in the group ‘D’ followed by Sri Lanka.

Nepal lost to their first match at the hands of  Netherlands by six wickets in the group stage while Sri Lanka suffered a defeat to South Africa by six wickets in the first match and Bangladesh by two wickets in the second match.

South Africa have already secured their berth in Super Eight from Group ‘D’.

Nepal will have to win the remaining two games to book a place in Super Eight.

Now, the Nepali team will go to the West Indies to play the remaining two matches of the group stage.

Nepal will play against South Africa on June 14 and Bangladesh on June 16 in St. Vincent, West Indies.

When the British colonized much of South Asia, they never thought that one day South Asian food, particularly curry, would conquer the hearts and minds of all the Brits. The colonized world could never have imagined that one day, a chef from never-colonized Nepal would surprise everyone by entering a curry competition and presenting ‘Jhol Momo’ as an appetizer.

In a remarkable achievement for Nepali cuisine, Chef Saroj Thapaliya secured the second runner-up position at the prestigious Asian Curry Awards, representing Panas Restaurant in London. The awards ceremony, which took place a few days ago at West London University, celebrated the culinary talents of Asian and Oriental chefs from across the UK.

The top prize of the night was awarded to Jeevan Lal from Babur Restaurant in Forest Hill, London. Dev Bishwal from The Cook’s Tale in Canterbury took the first runner-up spot. Chef Saroj wowed the nine-member judging panel with his expertly crafted dishes: Jhol Momo, an appetizer, and Farsi Masu, a main course featuring pumpkin and goat meat curry. His mastery of these traditional Nepali dishes earned him the title of Best Nepali Chef of the Year 2024.

The Asian & Oriental Chef Awards is a national competition open to professional chefs working in restaurants and takeaways representing cuisines from Bangladesh, Burma, China, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Middle East, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. The competition is organized by the Asian Catering Federation and judged by a panel of respected chefs, including Tony Khan, Thomas Chan, Rajesh Suri, Steve Gomes, George Shaw, Shahagir Farouk, Riya Amber Tesia, Ken Wan, Teddy KC Chan, and myself.

As one of the judges, I expressed pride in seeing Nepali cuisine gaining global recognition. Competitions like the Asian Curry Awards are crucial for promoting dishes like momo as international symbols of Nepali culinary heritage. This year’s event saw nine chefs, selected from numerous contestants across the UK, showcasing their talents in the finals.

For me, the event held particular significance. After nearly 25 years of dedicated service in the curry industry, both locally and globally, it was a great honor to serve as a judge at the Asian Curry Awards. Often regarded as the Oscars of the Asian restaurant industry in the UK, this event not only celebrates culinary excellence but also underscores the vital role of Asian cuisine in British society.

Reflecting on my roots, I’m reminded of my humble beginnings in Malekhu, where I grew up enjoying my mama’s famous ‘aloo chop’. The journey from being the nephew of a beloved street food vendor to standing in the British Parliament as a recognized culinary expert is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a story of dedication, hard work, and the unyielding support of my community.

Curry has become an integral part of British culture, yet its roots extend far beyond India. Cuisines from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have significantly contributed to the rich tapestry of flavors that curry represents today. Notably, Thai curry has set a global standard, much like the distinctive curries from Nepal, prepared by talented Nepali chefs alongside their Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan counterparts.

The Asian Curry Award celebrates this diversity and aims to empower and elevate the profile of Nepali cuisine on the global dining table. Curry has become a cornerstone of the UK’s culinary landscape, making a substantial contribution to the economy and influencing global food trends. The UK’s curry industry, valued at over five billion pounds annually, operates more than 10,000 restaurants, providing employment to approximately 100,000 people.

Having spent a quarter-century in the curry business globally, particularly within Indian, Arabic, and Oriental cuisines, I’m now incredibly proud to see Nepali curry gaining recognition on the same platform. The rise of Nepali curry is not only making a significant difference to the UK's economy but also contributing to local employment and enhancing British civilization through its rich cultural influence. It is a testament to the dynamic and inclusive nature of the UK's culinary scene that Nepali curry, alongside other Asian flavors, is celebrated and enjoyed, further enriching the nation's diverse gastronomic heritage.

Being a judge at the Asian Curry Awards was a significant milestone. This role not only recognized my contributions to the industry but also highlighted the importance of Asian cuisine in British culture. The experience of judging alongside legends of the curry industry and representing Nepali cuisine was incredibly rewarding.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of taking British-style curry around the world, embedding it as an integral part of British culture. Whether it was crafting menus for international sporting events or cooking for elite audiences, each experience contributed to my growth and the promotion of our culinary heritage.

The Asian Curry Awards serve as an inspiration of excellence, showcasing the best in the industry. This year, the competition was intense, with talented chefs from across the UK competing for top honors. The event celebrated individual achievements and highlighted the collective resilience and innovation of the Asian catering community.

Chef Saroj Thapaliya’s achievement at the Asian Curry Awards is a testament to the growing recognition of Nepali cuisine on the global stage. The event celebrated not only individual excellence but also the collective strength and innovation of the Asian culinary community. As the industry continues to evolve, initiatives like the ACF’s support program will be crucial in ensuring that the rich heritage of Asian cuisine continues to thrive and enrich British culture.

Baral is a UK-based R&D chef