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Perched on the edge of Phewa Lake, boasting greenery and picturesque surroundings, is the spacious Basundhara Park, a refuge for the people of Pokhara, especially those close to Lakeside. The park can be seen just below the road as one walks along his way to Barahi Ghat, where Taal Barahi is located. Right after walking past the slope of Baidam, one can feel that he has completely entered new territory. In a way, Lakeside epitomizes the city’s elegance. To say Lakeside has made Pokhara a grand place would be an understatement. Phewa Lake is an instrumental addition to Pokhara, making the city stand out among others. And in the heart of this cosmopolitan Lakeside is a lush park bearing the name ‘Basundhara Park’ that sees hundreds of visitors daily. 

Rammaya Gurung, 37, carries a basket on her back and walks toward Basundhara Park to settle on the edge of the park with the aim of selling chatpate, her modest business opening only after sunset every day. “It is only after 5 that people start to stream in,” says Gurung, opening a packet of noodles to mix up. A 7-year-old Binita clings to her mother’s kurta as the mother asks her customer about their spice preferences. A shy girl only smiles, refusing to answer the questions posed by customers. “My husband is working in the Gulf, and it is how I supplement his income,” says Gurung with a smile. 

A few meters away from Gurung’s junction is a Madhesi woman involved in the same business. However, her story is different. She looks down as she recalls how she lost her husband to the coronavirus pandemic. After the untimely demise of her husband, she couldn’t tolerate the harassment of her in-laws, so she took her belongings from her home district Saptari and followed her sister’s family to Pokhara, who has been running a juice shop in Malepatan for over seven years. Talking about the venue where she sets up her business day after day, she says, “At first, I was puzzled about where I should set up my chatpate stall, but once my sister showed me around this park, I decided this would be the perfect venue with the flow of so many visitors.” However, business, be it big or small, the woman says, is all about perseverance and patience. For women like her, the park has opened up the opportunity to earn and stand on their own feet.

One doesn’t need to pay rent while setting up such a business in the free spaces, so the lesser expenses mean that they can save up a good amount of money with low investment. Items they sell on streets and in parks, however, deteriorate one’s health if consumed regularly. Though the public is well aware that the consumption of chatpate is not good for health, the charm of such stalls in Basundhara Park is apparent. The best thing about these small business owners is that they have kept dustbins around the stalls to avoid people from throwing away papers and plastics. As a result, the sidewalks of Basundhara Park are spotless. 

Recently, a circular trail has been built inside the park, and this development has spurred mixed opinions among the general public. Jivan Pokhrel, a regular visitor to the park, says that the concrete trail has tarnished the greenery, making the park look dull and less natural. The trail is always occupied with joggers of all ages. The benefit of having a concrete trail is that joggers don’t have to suffer from muddy patches during the monsoon season. 

The park has changed a lot from what it used to be. Not many years ago, the park was plain, but now there are uneven surfaces all across the park, mostly in the southeast direction. Once, a dozer had intervened for construction work, and it affected the aesthetic beauty of the park. Since then, the southeast area of the park has been deserted, with the majority of people occupying the remaining spaces for picnics and gatherings. Schoolkids, families, and other informal groups often come to the park with home-cooked and packaged foods. While the sidewalks of the park are neat, the core area in the middle is always littered with wrappers, plastic plates, and bottles. “People have become educated, but they still can’t manage the waste they have produced. Basundhara Park is a pride of Lakeside, so waste management must be top-notch in order to preserve its beauty,” says Sanju Shrestha, who owns a beauty parlor near Basundhara Park. 

For Subash Poudel, Basundhara Park is more than a place to chill out, as he has been clicking photographs of his clients for some years in the park. Especially newlyweds promptly agree to a photoshoot at this venue, says Poudel. The landscape offered by the park has inspired photographers to come and capture photos against the breathtaking backdrop of Phewa Lake. 

Like Poudel, many people from different professions have chosen Basundhara Park as an unofficial workplace. The park authorities have shown flexibility by allowing people to utilize the space as they like. It is understandable that public parks are made accessible for the general public, but freedom must not come at the cost of the park’s sanitation. 

The present condition of the toilet in Basundhara Park speaks volumes about the authorities’ insouciance. Although the toilet looks large from the outside, it is not in a usable state. It’s high time that the authorities started focusing on the park’s sanitation by either revamping the old toilet or building a new one. 

Lately, a large number of youth groups have made Basundhara Park their playground, which must be urgently discouraged, and the authorities must impose restrictions on intense sports activities, allowing only light activities such as jogging and stretching. As the park is often crammed with people doing different activities for refreshment, there is a high chance that sports activities might injure people involved in their own recreations. The metropolitan area, along with the local government, must build an alternative ground around Lakeside to prevent people from playing at Basundhara Park. It should be clearly circulated that the park is only built for refreshment, and people from Pokhara should be mindful of the fact that Basundhara Park is associated with the tourism of Lakeside. The onus is on Pokhara residents to take care of Basundhara Park, which is one of the key attractions for the tourists coming to visit Pokhara.

The red panda is one of the few species which have gained heightened conservation attention in Nepal. While the outcomes of the conservation are highly positive in some parts of the country, the scenario is opposite in other parts, highlighting the need to reconsider the conservation intervention in those areas. 

The red panda, a member of the Ailuridae family, is an endangered species found in the subtropical and temperate forests. It is also known by the names such as cat bears, lesser pandas, shining cat, firefox, first panda and fox bear. New research classified red pandas into two distinct species: the red panda of Nepal, Bhutan, northern India, northern Myanmar, Tibet and western Yunnan Province of China as the Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Its relative in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China is the Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani). This species is crucial for maintaining ecological balance. Red pandas are specialized in their habitat and eat primarily bamboo, which makes them an ideal flagship species to inspire public support for biodiversity conservation. 

Organizations like the Red Panda Network are diligently at work in eastern Nepal restoring habitats. These projects include planting bamboo, which is a major source of food for red pandas, reforestation, community-based awareness campaigns, and the construction of wildlife corridors that connect fragmented habitats and make it safer for the animals to move between them. Additionally, the rainwater collected during the monsoon is used to plant seedlings for habitat restoration sites that will be used during the dry season. And promote ecotourism, which can give nearby communities another source of revenue. Six distinct places in eastern Nepal have previously shown success with this intervention: Dobato, Gorkhe, and Choyatar in the Ilam district; Pathibhara region in Taplejung district; Ghyangphedi and Cholangpati in the LNP and garner support for ongoing conservation endeavors. One of the reasons for the successful outcomes in those regions might be the ability of the conservation interventions to link conservation to livelihood particularly through ecotourism activities. 

Conservationists have tried to replicate the efforts in western Nepal, with the focus on public awareness. Different organization programmes have been launched to be aware of the illicit trade of wildlife parts and discussed solutions for, reporting wildlife crime throughout the district and neighboring districts. However, instead of contributing to the conservation outcomes, challenges for the Red Panda have piled up which were unintended by the project. For instance, the number of the people captured with the hides have been increasing in those areas. Poaching of wildlife is rife in Kalikot and Jajarkot districts and the second seizure of red panda hides in Western Rukum where three red pandas were confiscated.

Moreover, the rising trend in seizure instances could point to several contributing variables that encourage the poaching and trade of pelts. Unintentionally miscommunications during awareness campaigns may have implied that engaging in illegal wildlife trafficking has financial benefits. Even though these activities significantly reduce biodiversity, people may view them as useful alternatives for securing their livelihoods in times of financial crisis. 

The eastern region of Nepal, with a higher human development index (HDI), seems to have a better understanding and awareness of red panda conservation compared to the western region. Poaching and illegal trade have increased in the western region. which means HDI ultimately shapes their behavior, resulting in positive or negative effects on wildlife conservation. The habitat of red pandas is being destroyed due to several socioeconomic causes. When using forests and rangelands for livestock grazing, wood collection, fuel wood, and medicinal plant gathering, herders appear to perceive a larger profit. That being said, the perceived benefits listed above cannot be outweighed by economic and social incentives to protect red panda habitats. Poverty is widespread in western areas meaning the conservation intervention implemented should address this through the comprehensive approach. 

Tailored conservation approaches are essential to mitigate the disproportionate threat that red pandas in the western region face. Law enforcement reform is important, but it cannot stop the illegal trade on its own. We might be able to break the chain that connects the misery of red pandas to the financial difficulties of nearby villages by addressing the socioeconomic aspects. Enhancing community knowledge and involvement in conservation tourism should be connected with local livelihood, building the capacity of conservation groups, and constitute a complete approach in order to ensure the coexistence of red pandas and local communities. To reduce dependency on natural resources, comprehensive conservation action should be advocated in the western area. This shows that we need specific plans for each area. It's important to comprehend the socioeconomic context of various locations, and initiatives in western Nepal emphasize the need for customized approaches.

A common commitment to sustainable methods and group efforts are needed to preserve the red panda. As a representation of Nepal's abundant biodiversity, the species' future depends on how carefully human behavior and ecological harmony interact. It is our responsibility as guardians of our natural heritage to ensure these fascinating animals are around to enjoy Nepal’s forests for many more years. This demands tailored conservation interventions that are suited to the local conditions. Furthermore, stakeholders have to identify the options to integrate livelihood concerns in the red panda conservation program.

It’s said that God couldn’t be everywhere which is why he made mothers. A mother sacrifices her comfort and well-being for the sake of her child. Motherhood is a lifelong commitment filled with countless sacrifices and selfless love. So, let’s take a moment and celebrate the women who have shaped our lives. Whether they are biological mothers, adoptive mothers, or maternal figures who have stepped in to fill our lives with their boundless love. Rastrika Shakya from ApEx spoke with three people to find out what has been the best piece of advice they have received from their mothers so far.

Simran Shakya, 23

The best piece of advice I've ever received from my mamu is to never let anyone discourage you from pursuing what you want to do because there will always be those who don’t want to see your success. This keeps me going and helps me make decisions without the fear of judgments from society. Living far away from home, especially when you find home with your mother, can be difficult but the motivation keeps me going, and her advice always helps me give my best in everything I do no matter what’s happening around me.

Aanita Tuladhar, 51

My maa is a true form of God for me. Whenever life is hard, she is the one I turn to for the solution. She has always encouraged me to trust my instincts, capabilities, and intuition. She has made me able to believe in myself and, by believing in myself, I’ve learned to overcome self-doubt and take on new challenges with courage and determination. She has taught me responsibility and to never turn back from it. I have carried her advice with me all through my marriage. And now that I have a daughter, I often find myself giving her the same advice my mom used to give me.

Sameer Thapa, 35

Mothers are the ones who teach us our first lessons, wipe away our tears, and cheer us on through every step of our life. A mother’s love knows no bounds. My mom has supported me in every path of my life. Her supportive nature and unwavering trust make me believe in myself even during the toughest times. She always tells me to stay true to myself no matter what. This has helped me so much—to believe in what I do and what I actually want to achieve in life. Mothers are full of advice and experience. Never ignore them because it’s precious.

I enjoy reading books about food—both fiction and non-fiction. A colleague got me hooked on them with her never-ending recommendations of books that had elaborate descriptions of food and food being prepared. As I read the books she raved about, I realized I was having fun learning about different cuisines and all the things that shape how people eat. Over the years, there have been many books I have enjoyed that have changed my dynamics with food.

My husband and I drastically cut down our sugar intake after reading ‘The Case Against Sugar’ by Gary Taubes. In the book, Taubes argues that sugars are bad, that they have ‘a unique physiological, metabolic and hormonal effect on our bodies’. Sugar is what triggers a genetic predisposition to obesity and turns a healthy diet into a harmful one. It’s also the trigger of insulin resistance—a condition that leads to obesity, diabetes and a number of other diseases. It’s an eye-opening book.

We recommend The Case Against Sugar to everyone we meet, and a few people have recommended the book to us as well, in which case we have gone on to have lengthy discussions on how we are all trying to cut sugar from our diets. Here I recommend some of my other favorite books on food that I think everyone should read.

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

I’ve been contemplating going vegetarian for a while now. I’ve tried and faltered many times but I’m not giving up. It’s something I want to eventually do. So, I’ve been reading about it, and ‘Eating Animals’, I believe, is one of the best books on the subject. It doesn’t harp about the importance of becoming vegetarian. Instead, it’s the author’s messy affair with trying to become one. It’s a mixing of reportage along with Foer’s stream of consciousness musings. It’s an apt portrayal of what considerations of becoming a vegetarian looks like. I had so much fun reading this and I was highly inspired as well.

The Man Who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten

If you want something bite-sized, I recommend you start here. ‘The Man Who Ate Everything’ is a collection of Steingarten’s food columns from Vogue magazine. The book came out in 1997. Most of the essays in this collection were written and published in the 80s and 90s so if you are someone who likes reading and getting information about food some of the things here might feel a tad bit dated. But the author is knowledgeable and he shares a lot of what he knows. Even if you already know something, his wit and discussions on it will make you want to expand your knowledge. While I was reading the book, I couldn’t help but think that the words here could only be written by someone who loves food and that made me want to take everything he said seriously.

How to Read a French Fry by Russ Parsons

The title of the book made me want to read this and I’m glad I did. I downloaded it on the Kindle and finished it in a couple of days. Parson’s writing is conversational, making the book an easy read. ‘How to Read a French Fry’ has many useful and interesting tidbits on food. It’s packed with facts that make you gasp, shudder, and want to start or stop eating certain things. Divided into six chapters, the book takes you through the basic concepts of food science. From how frying works and how vegetables ripen to how meat reacts to heat and how cakes and pastries are made, you will learn a lot about food and what goes behind its preparation. There are also cooking tips along with some handy recipes in the book.