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It’s getting hot and humid and dressing comfortably is of paramount importance to feel at ease during this time. But does that mean we have to give style a miss and only wear baggy pants and cotton tops for the rest of the summer months? Not at all. There are easy ways to jazz up your outfits. A simple ensemble can be stylish and look well put-together with some thought and effort. Here we tell you how you can stay comfortable and classy when the sun’s out and you’d rather jump into the swimming pool than attend meetings and work. 

Create a summer wardrobe

Take a look at what you have and pull out all the clothes that aren’t comfortable or those that you haven’t worn in a while. Choose pieces that you want to wear, the ones you feel comfortable in and keep them aside. Fold or hang them where you can access them easily. This makes getting ready a lot easier than having to hunt for clothes when it’s time to go out. Once you know what you have, decide what you want to buy and invest in a few summer pieces like an oversized white cotton shirt, a flowy dress, some skirts, and perhaps even a few co-ord sets that you can wear together or mix and watch with other items in your closet. 

Take a look at your accessories

Summer calls for dainty jewelry and light accessories rather than bulky ones that feel heavy and look out of place when paired with a breezy ensemble. So, evaluate your jewelry and accessories situation. Invest in some light earrings and belts. A neutral color bag that doesn’t have flashy hardware or too many buckles can accessorize any summer outfit. Accessories can make or break any outfit and the problem with summer outfits is that your jewelry and other things that you use can weigh it down. You have to get the balance right. Choose lightweight pieces and dainty silver jewelry to compliment your outfit and don’t over accessorize. Stick to one or two pieces at the most. 

Don’t go all baggy

We tend to wear loose fitting clothes during the summer because the thought of body hugging jeans and tops make us sweat more than the actual heat. But pairing an oversized jeans with an oversized top makes you look sloppy and bigger than your actual size. It’s also not a good outfit choice for office and formal occasions, never mind the oversized suit trends you see on Instagram. Pair one loose clothing item with another well fitted one. For example, wear a well-fitted trouser with a flowy top instead of a loose harem pant with a flowy top. The key is to make sure one thing fits properly. It doesn’t have to be a body hugging piece. You can opt for tailored cotton pants or linen leggings. 

Opt for pastel colors

Dark colors trap heat and make you feel uncomfortable. Light colors reflect sunlight and have a cooling effect. Pastel colors look really good during the summer months. They give you an airy feeling while looking proper and put together as well. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics and make sure they are in a lighter shade for the extra impact. Soft hues like baby blue, lavender, peach, and mint are perfect for summer. It’s not that you can’t wear dark colors during summer but try to avoid it when you can, especially during the day. 

Pay attention to the details

Wear comfortable shoes. Avoid closed, heavy shoes that can trap sweat. Opt for sandals and breathable sneakers in canvas instead. Keep your makeup light so that it doesn’t melt in the heat and also doesn’t make your look sweaty and shiny. Opt for just a moisturizer and sunscreen when you can as a natural look is more practical during the summer. This way, you can use oil blotting sheets to dab away the excess oil from your face during the day. Layering might seem counterintuitive but it can help you transition from outdoor heat to indoor ac with ease. It can also protect your skin from sun damage. The trick is to use light or sheer fabrics when layering. And lastly, choose the right undergarment. Avoid padded bras and synthetic materials. 

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year. In Nepal, different activities are carried out to promote eco-friendly habits and for environmental awareness. But experts argue that green initiatives must be run all year round to negate the impact of climate change. ApEx spoke to three people to find out what they think and how we can make our planet a cleaner, greener place to live. 

Sanjog Limbu

I feel that nowadays smoke from vehicles like old buses and trucks is the main reason for pollution. Urbanization is another factor that contributes to pollution in the long run. I also see a lot of people using plastics with little to no awareness about its harmful impacts. I think we must minimize the use of plastic if we want to preserve our planet. Another thing that needs attention is proper waste disposal. Many people are still dumping waste in rivers and streams. This makes the whole area smell foul. I believe small everyday actions can make a huge impact in preserving the environment in the long run. 

Riya Shrestha

Deforestation is a serious issue in Nepal due to increasing urbanization and agricultural needs. It leads to habitat loss, soil erosion, and affects the water cycle and biodiversity. Forests are vital for Nepal’s ecological balance and climate regulation so this issue deserves more awareness and action. Additionally, plastic is widely used because it is easily available, inexpensive, and very convenient for everyday tasks like packaging, carrying goods, and storing items. It’s also difficult to avoid since it’s so ubiquitous. This shows a conflict between convenience and environmental concern. If I could make one law it would be the use of biodegradable or reusable alternatives instead of single-use plastics. This would reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable habits. 

Amit Lama

The main cause of pollution in urban areas in Nepal is the smoke that old vehicles emit coupled with stubble burning. Unmanaged road construction adds to our woes. I think we need stricter environmental policies to combat pollution and our worsening environmental conditions. Banning plastic, removing old vehicles from the road, and making people aware about the importance of recycling and reusing things can help make a difference. I think these initiatives must be put in place through good policy and effective monitoring of its implementation. I think the onus lies first on the government to come up with a plan to reduce pollution and then on the people to make sure they follow the rules and regulations. 

Does the thought of cleaning your bathroom leave you anxious? Do you dread it and put it off till it’s too late and you left scrubbing and hosing down the entire space in a frenzy? Cleaning the bathroom is often not a chore that many of us enjoy particularly because we don’t know how to do it. It seems like no amount of cleaning can give it a fresh feel and there are just so many difficult to reach nooks and crannies that it’s almost impossible to be thorough. But that doesn’t mean you have to have a less than perfect bathroom or go through a crazy cleaning session every once in a while. There are many little things you can do, on a daily basis, that take less than a couple of minutes to have a neat and clean bathroom. We are here to give you some helpful tips.

Tip #1: Give it a wipe down after each use

Wipe the basins, towel rack, shower area or whatever it is that you use and get water on after each use. Keep some rags handy under the sink and just grab one to wipe off the water after you are done using the bathroom for whatever purpose. This way it will instantly appear cleaner and you will also be preventing pesky water stains in the long run. This simple trick will take less than five minutes but it will go a long way in making your bathroom appear fresh and clean. 

Tip #2: Clean the shower when you shower

Take two minutes to clean the shower when you are in the shower. If you share a bathroom, you can take turns to clean it as well. Simply use a sponge soaked in soap to give your shower area a quick scrub before you start showering and let the water from your shower wash it all away. You will be saving time and water both this way. Use an old toothbrush to clean grime away from the space between your tiles but don’t scrub too hard. Even if you do a small section every day, you will soon have cleaned the whole shower area with minimal effort.

Tip #3: Keep the counters neat and organized

One of the reasons why your bathroom looks unkempt is because the products you use tend to gather on the window sill or the counter over time. Don’t let this happen. Put back what you don’t use and install corner shelves for shampoos and body washes. Don’t keep them on the window sill. It will only gather dust and grime besides making your bathroom appear ugly. If you must have skincare products on the counter next to the bathroom sink, organize them in pretty ceramic or glass trays.

Tip #4: Don’t hang clothes to dry in the bathroom

Oftentimes, your bathroom tends to have an unusual odor. It doesn’t matter how many times you clean the commode or change the air fresher, there’s a lingering smell that you can’t seem to get rid of. This happens mostly in bathrooms where wet towels are left on the towel rack or washed clothes are hung to dry. One way to ensure your bathroom has a fresh appeal is to make sure you never leave wet clothes in there. It’s as simple as that.

Tip #5: Ventilate properly

Proper ventilation can ensure your bathroom’s freshness. If you use curtains in the bathroom, including shower curtains, make sure they are never left damp. Open them out and let them dry between showers. Open the windows and allow the bathroom to air out between uses too. Many bathroom issues like murky smell and mold can be fixed by simply ventilating the bathroom. If you can, have a fan installed.

Tip #6: Clean mirrors and glass with vinegar

Keep a mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use this to wipe your mirrors and shelves and enclosures made of glass. Take two minutes every evening to do this. Lightly mist your mirror and glass and then use a microfiber cloth to wipe them down. You can then use the dry side of the same cloth to buff it later. You can also use a scrunched up newspaper to make the mirrors and glass shine.

Tip #7: Tend to your cleaning tools

We use a range of items from brushes to sponges to clean the bathroom. But when was the last time you cleaned the cleaning tools? Not cleaning the tools can mean your bathroom isn’t as hygienic as it should be. The brushes and sponges will harbor bacteria and dirt so it’s important to clean these regularly too. But you don’t have to spend too much time or effort on it. Simply soak them in a bucket of hot soapy water and let them dry out in the sun every week or so. On a daily basis, make sure you are storing them away from other items and that you give them a quick rinse after every use.

Nestled within Nepal’s trans-Himalayan corridor, Mustang has long been a land of both abundance and scarcity. Snow-capped peaks cast long shadows over barren, windswept valleys. Ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries perched precariously on cliffs, their prayer flags fluttering in winds that have shaped both land and lore. Generations of farmers etched terraced fields into rocky hillsides, coaxing from the unforgiving soil apples so crisp they became symbols of Mustang’s ingenuity and perseverance. Life here did not defy nature—it moved with it. The cycles of snowmelt and monsoon dictated planting, harvest, prayer, and pilgrimage. But that delicate balance, honed over centuries, is now unraveling.

Mustang today no longer tells a story of quiet endurance, but one of escalating emergency. Winters, once defined by a serene blanket of snow that insulated life, now arrive barren and bitter. The snowpack—Mustang’s natural water bank—is gone. Springs, once fed by slow, predictable melt, now yield nothing. Fields lie cracked and fallow. Crops wither before maturity. Livestock, once the backbone of the local economy and culture, are vanishing from dust-hardened pastures. And tourism, once buoyed by Mustang’s stark winter beauty and cultural mystique, is fading as snowless landscapes and landslide-prone trails turn visitors away.

Here, climate change is not abstract. It is not a threat on the horizon or a projection debated by distant experts. It is a predator, stalking villages, devouring traditions, and dismantling livelihoods with ferocity. It has reshaped the land, emptied barns, severed trails, and muted festivals once anchored in the rhythms of a snow-fed world.

Mustang’s collapse is not an isolated tragedy—it is a mirror reflecting Nepal’s imminent future. This once-remote highland, long considered resilient due to its self-reliant communities and adaptation to extremes, is now ground zero for climate-induced disruption. If Mustang, a region whose people have survived for centuries at the mercy of thin air and sparse rain, is faltering so rapidly, what lies ahead for Nepal’s more densely populated regions?

Consider the lowland floodplains of the Tarai, already vulnerable to monsoon volatility. Or the mid-hill farms, where rain-fed agriculture sustains millions and any shift in precipitation wreaks havoc. Or the teeming cities—Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar—where overstressed infrastructure and unchecked urbanization compound every climate shock. If climate extremes can hollow out Mustang, the implications for these regions are dire.

What’s unfolding in Mustang is a warning shot. The snows that once defined its seasons are vanishing across the Himalayan arc, endangering the glaciers that feed rivers essential to 1.5bn people downstream. As temperatures rise nearly twice as fast in the Himalayas as the global average, Mustang’s parched orchards, empty yak barns, and shuttered homestays offer a preview of a broader unraveling.

And yet, this is not just about lost apples, absent snow, or displaced herders. It’s about what vanishes with them—ancestral knowledge, spiritual connection to land, and a model of harmony between people and nature that the rest of the world has largely forgotten.

When snow becomes memory

For centuries, the arrival of the first snowfall in Mustang marked more than a seasonal change—it was a reset for the land and its people. Snow blanketed apple orchards and barley fields, fed glacial springs, and sustained fragile mountain ecosystems. It signaled a time of rest and replenishment, while gradually releasing meltwater to sustain life through the arid months. Today, snowfall has retreated into memory. The landscape remains cold, yet eerily bare.

“The cold still cracks our skin, but the earth stays barren,” laments Lopsang Gurung, a farmer in Marpha, standing beside a deep, jagged well drilled in search of vanishing groundwater. This absence of snow has ruptured Mustang’s hydrological balance. Springs that once flowed year-round now run dry by early spring. Groundwater levels plummet as villagers dig deeper in desperation. Monsoon rains, once steady and life-giving, now arrive in violent torrents that erode topsoil and flood fields. Scientists report a 30 percent decline in snow cover since 2010—a change that has triggered cascading effects: mistimed flowering, disrupted migratory patterns, and failing crops.

Cultural life suffers too. Losar, the Tibetan New Year, once danced with snow-laced prayers and processions, now unfolds on dusty ground. “Our festivals feel hollow without snow,” says Pemma Dolma, a teacher in Lo Manthang. Communities are experimenting with solutions: artificial glacier projects and groundwater regulations offer glimmers of hope. But so far, these efforts remain too scattered, too under-resourced. Mustang’s snowless winters are not just a regional concern—they’re a red flag for Nepal and the global climate community.

Farming on the brink

Agriculture—the heartbeat of Mustang’s rural economy—is faltering. Apple orchards, once the region’s pride, now struggle to survive under an onslaught of climate extremes. Warmer winters disrupt the chilling hours apples need to bloom. Invasive pests and fungal infections thrive in erratic weather. Meanwhile, violent hailstorms repeatedly shatter entire seasons of hard work. Narayan Thakali, a third-generation farmer, recalls when his trees yielded eight tons of apples annually. “Now, we’re lucky to get three,” he says. To salvage his crop, he relies on synthetic pesticides, fully aware of their long-term damage to soil and water.

Declining snowmelt has forced farmers to depend on deep wells, some drilled 20 meters down. But groundwater, like snow, is vanishing. In some areas, water tables drop two meters each year. And yet, adaptation simmers below the surface. Farmers are trialing dwarf apple varieties needing fewer chill hours. NGOs are promoting integrated pest management to reduce chemical use. Solar-powered micro-irrigation systems are boosting yields in pilot villages. These efforts show promise, but without cohesive, national-level policies and investment, they remain isolated lifelines.

Vanishing livestock, vanishing traditions

Yaks, chyangra goats, and sheep once roamed Mustang’s high pastures in abundance. Their meat, milk, and wool formed the bedrock of rural life, while their presence anchored seasonal rituals and social bonds. Now, those pastures are drying up.

A staggering 60 percent of Mustang’s alpine rangelands have degraded since 2015. Warmer temperatures and erratic snowfall have altered grassland composition, replacing nourishing alpine flora with inedible scrub. Foot rot and other diseases, once checked by cold winters, now spread easily in moist, warming soils. Herders, without reliable veterinary services, either overuse antibiotics or abandon livestock altogether. Traditional migrations to summer pastures—once communal rites of passage—have all but disappeared. In Dhe, empty yak barns sit like silent tombs to a way of life vanishing before our eyes. Still, resilience flickers. Insurance schemes based on satellite weather data are being piloted. But the scale of the crisis demands far more coordinated intervention.

Tourism at a tipping point

Winter once drew throngs of domestic and international tourists to Mustang’s stark, snow-covered beauty. Between December and February, snow lovers, trekkers, and spiritual seekers filled local lodges, generating nearly a third of the region’s GDP. But as snow vanishes and trails succumb to landslides, visitors stay away. Between 2020 and 2023, winter tourism declined by 65 percent. Villages like Thasang, once bustling with homestays and guides, now face economic ruin.Communities are attempting to pivot. But progress is uneven. Poor digital connectivity, unreliable infrastructure, and a lack of funding for cultural preservation remain stubborn barriers. Declaring Mustang a Climate Emergency Zone could unlock vital international funding for green infrastructure and culturally sensitive tourism alternatives. Without it, the region’s tourism sector may collapse entirely.

Floods, landslides, and glacial peril

The July 2023 flood in Kagbeni was not an isolated event—it was the new normal. Fueled by an intense monsoon downpour, the Kali Gandaki River tore through homes and fields, leaving behind wreckage and displacement. Landslides and flash floods routinely cut off entire villages. High in the Himalayas, glacial retreat has accelerated, giving rise to unstable glacial lakes. These ticking time bombs threaten to burst and send walls of water hurtling into valleys below. Scientists have identified 11 such high-risk lakes in Upper Mustang alone. Although early-warning sirens and bioengineering efforts, like planting sea buckthorn to stabilize slopes, are underway, only 15 percent of vulnerable households have flood insurance. Without robust national support, communities are forced to gamble with their survival.

Seeds of adaptation

Yet amid the wreckage, Mustang offers glimpses of what climate adaptation can look like when tradition meets innovation:

Agriculture: Solar-powered drip irrigation, climate-resilient crops, and SMS-based weather alerts offer smarter, water-efficient farming.

Livestock: Hydroponic fodder systems, mobile veterinary apps, and drought-triggered insurance build pastoral resilience.

Tourism: Eco-certified homestays, resilient trekking trails, and immersive digital storytelling can renew Mustang as a sustainable tourism hub.

Disaster defense: Vegetative slope barriers, glacial lake sensors, and satellite-based landslide alerts can save lives.

A call to action

Mustang stands not only as a region in distress but as a living model of the future awaiting much of Nepal. Its unraveling is a choice: surrender to collapse, or turn crisis into transformation. A national climate resilience pilot in Mustang could unify scattered innovations and funnel investment where it’s most needed.

Global support—from NGOs, governments, and climate finance institutions—should treat Mustang not as a disaster zone but as a climate innovation lab. Communities here carry ancestral knowledge: how to read clouds, revive springs, and live lightly. Their wisdom must be woven into policy and action.

As a Thakali proverb goes, “A dry riverbed still remembers the monsoon.” Mustang remembers its seasons. If Nepal listens, acts, and invests wisely, Mustang might not only survive—it might lead.

The author is Phd scholar in climate and green finance : research focus on green finance and climate change