Submit your Article

Wheat is Nepal’s third most important food crop after rice and maize. As a globally significant cereal crop, wheat is Nepal’s most important winter crop. It is a major source of calories and protein. Wheat cultivation in Nepal spans from the Tarai plains to the high hills. In the fiscal year 2022/23, wheat was cultivated on 716,978 hectares of land in Nepal, yielding 2,144,568 metric tons of production. Currently, the average wheat productivity in Nepal stands at 2.99 metric tons per hectare.

Although both the area under wheat cultivation and overall production have increased in recent years, the import of wheat, wheat seeds, and wheat-based products has not declined. According to data from the Department of Customs, in the first four months of the current fiscal year alone, Nepal imported 20,279 metric tons of wheat-based products worth Rs 986.7m.

In the previous fiscal year, Nepal had imported 10,112 metric tons of such products, spending Rs 684.38m. In fiscal year 2021/22, 24,785 metric tons were imported, amounting to Rs 1.16m.

Currently, fields in the Helambu and Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipalities of Sindhupalchok district are lush green with wheat crops. A local resident mentioned that the major food crops in that area include potatoes, wheat, maize, and millet.

Rhododendrons have turned the hilly forests red this season. The forests and settlements in Kathmandu Valley and the hilly regions of the country are adorned with colorful rhododendrons of various species, creating a vibrant and picturesque landscape.

In the Gupsipakha area of Dharche Rural Municipality in Gorkha district, the blooming rhododendrons have added a red hue to the green forests, enhancing their beauty and attracting more tourists to the region.  

This area is home to different varieties of rhododendrons, including red, pink, white, and yellow species. Located in the remote northern part of the district, the lush green hills and blooming rhododendrons not only draw tourists but also enhance the region’s charm.  

According to botanists, rhododendrons are found at altitudes ranging from 1,300 to 4,600 meters above sea level. Traditionally, they bloom in early spring (March), but due to the impacts of climate change, they have started flowering as early as January and February.

Rhododendron trees can grow anywhere between 10 centimeters to 30 meters tall. With over 1,000 species found worldwide, rhododendrons hold a significant place in global flora.

Despite advancements in energy access, more than half of Nepal’s households still rely on firewood for cooking, according to the final results of the National Census 2021. Out of 6.66m households nationwide, 51 percent frequently use firewood as their primary cooking fuel.   However, the data shows a decline in firewood usage compared to the 2011 census, which reported that 64 percent of households used firewood. The latest figures indicate a 13 percent decrease over the past decade. Meanwhile, 44.3 percent of households now use liquefied petroleum (LP) gas for cooking.  

The use of household energy varies by geography. Approximately 20 percent of homes rely on modern energy sources such as electricity and LP gas for cooking, while 80 percent still use traditional fuels like firewood, agricultural residues, and dung cakes. Access to electricity also varies significantly. While 99 percent of households in the Tarai region are connected to the national grid, only 32 percent of homes in the Himalayan region have grid electricity. As a result, many families in the hills and mountains depend on forests for energy needs.  

A survey conducted by the International Development Association (IDA) in 2022 found that 80 percent of rural households and 44.6 percent of urban households still used firewood for cooking. In contrast, LP gas was used in 89 percent of urban households and 57.3 percent of rural households.   Additionally, 17.4 percent of rural households and 5.4 percent of urban households use agricultural residues and dung cakes as fuel. Electricity is used for cooking in 7.3 percent of rural households and 14 percent of urban households.  

Regionally, firewood remains the dominant household fuel. In the Himalayan region, 96 percent of households use firewood for cooking, followed by 79 percent in the Tarai and 65.5 percent in the hills. Overall, firewood accounts for 84.9 percent of Nepal’s total household energy consumption.  

The heavy reliance on firewood raises concerns about deforestation, air pollution, and health risks from indoor smoke exposure. Expanding access to clean energy sources such as LP gas, electricity, and renewable alternatives could significantly improve household energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in Nepal.

Holi, the festival of colors, is being celebrated Thursday across the hilly regions of Nepal, while the Tarai region will mark the festival on Friday. A massive crowd has gathered at Kathmandu’s historic Basantapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to celebrate the Holi festival here.

The festival is also known as Fagu Purnima here. The Holi festival, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring, was marked with enthusiasm, bringing people together in a colorful embrace of harmony. Revelers and foreign tourists, smeared with bright hues, danced to music, exchanged festive greetings, and soaked in the vibrant atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the District Police Range, Kathmandu, has deployed over 300 security personnel to maintain order and prevent any unwanted incidents during the celebrations.