Over 55,000 tourists visit Khumbu region in 11 months
A total of 55,979 tourists visited the Khumbu region in the last 11 months of the current fiscal year.
The Sagarmatha National Park shared this information.
Information officer at the Park, Manoj Kumar Mandal, said most of the tourists were foreign- 48,402, while the number of domestic tourists was 7,577.
Most of the tourists visited the region in April. April is the tourist season.
Meanwhile, the Park collected Rs 136 million in revenue in the last 11 months. Every Nepali is charged Rs 100, while those from SAARC countries Rs 1,500 each and others Rs 3,000.
Foreign Exchange Reserves rises by 27.8 percent
The Gross foreign exchange reserve of the country has increased by 27.8 percent to Rs 1967.19 billion as of mid-June 2024 from Rs 1539.36 billion in mid-July 2023. In US dollar terms, the gross foreign exchange reserves increased 25.7 percent to 14.72 billion in mid-June 2024 from 11.71 billion in mid-July 2023.
According to a statement released on the 'Current Marcoeconomic and financial situation' of the country based 11 months data as of mid-June, of the total foreign exchange reserves, reserves held by NRB increased 30.2 percent to Rs.1752.77 billion in mid-June 2024 from Rs 1345.78 billion in mid-July 2023.
Reserves held by other banks and financial institutions increased 10.8 percent to Rs 214.42 billion in mid-June 2024 from Rs 193.59 billion in mid-July 2023. The share of Indian currency in total reserves stood at 22.3 percent in mid-June 2024.
Likewise, Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 425.67 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 224.9 billion in the same period of the previous year.
The current account remained at a surplus of Rs 200.39 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs 79.53 billion in the same period of the previous year.
In the review period, capital transfer decreased 25.7 percent to Rs 5.46 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) remained a positive of Rs.8.16 billion. In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer amounted to Rs.7.35 billion and net FDI amounted to Rs 4.65 billion.
Furthermore, the consumer price inflation moderated to 4.17 percent in mid-June 2024 compared to 6.83 percent a year ago. Food and beverage category inflation stood at 5.76 percent whereas non-food and service category inflation stood at 2.94 percent in the review month.
During the period, the total trade deficit decreased 1.7 percent to Rs 1314.44 billion. Such a deficit had decreased 15.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export import ratio decreased to 9.6 percent in the review period from 9.7 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.
This is due to a decrease in merchandise exports by 3.0 percent to Rs 139.26 billion compared to a decrease of 22.7 percent in the same period of the previous year. Exports to India decreased 4.5 percent while that to China increased 57.7 percent. Similarly, export to other countries decreased 1.7 percent. Exports of zinc sheet, particle board, juice, readymade garment, and oil cakes among others increased whereas exports of palm oil, soyabean oil, woolen carpet, brans, tea among others decreased.
In the review period, total revenue mobilization of the Government (including the amount to be transferred to provincial and local governments) stood at Rs 919.19 billion. Revenue mobilization recorded a growth of 9.8 percent in the review period in contrast to a decrease of 11.2 percent in the same period of last fiscal year. The tax revenue amounted to Rs 829.04 billion and non tax revenue Rs 90.15 billion in the review period.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO), the total expenditure of the Government stood at Rs.1181.30 billion during the eleven months of 2023/24. Compared to a growth of 13.6 percent in the last fiscal year, government expenditure increased by 0.4 percent in the review period. The recurrent expenditure, capital expenditure and financial expenditure amounted to Rs.822.81 billion, Rs 134.98 billion and Rs 223.51 billion respectively in the review period.
In the meantime, remittance inflows increased 19.3 percent to Rs 1327.51 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 22.7 percent in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 17.3 percent to 9.98 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 13.0 percent in the same period of the previous year.
Over 50 percent community schools in country have less than 100 students: Report
More than 50 percent of the community schools in the country have less than 100 students, according to a report recently made public by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The report – Educational Information, 2080 BS – stated that the number of community schools with less than 100 students is 15,965.
This is despite the ongoing efforts from the governmental and non-governmental sectors to improve public education.
This number of public schools with less than 100 students is 57.03 percent of all the 27,990 community schools throughout the country.
According to the report, this situation is attributable to the decline in population, increase in migration and the influence of private schools in the urban areas.
The number of community schools with less than 100 students was 14,000 in the fiscal year 2076/77 BS. This number has increased at present despite the operation of the 'school merger' policy.
The report puts the number of community schools having 100 to 500 students at 9,704, that of schools with 500 to 1,000 students at 1,636, that of schools with 1,000 to 1,500 students at 409, that of schools with 1501 to 2,000 at 136 and the number of community schools with more than 2,000 students at 100.
A total 35,876 schools (from Basic level to Class 12), including 27,990 community schools and 7,886 institutional (private) schools, are in operation in the country at present.
Promoting sustainable and free foraging
In the last week of June, three people died and 16 others fell ill after consuming wild mushroom curry in Makwanpur district in Bagmati Province. These incidents are common during the monsoon season as people lack knowledge about wild mushrooms. The district security personnel of Makwanpur advised against eating wild mushrooms. However, this is not a solution. We need more awareness about our wild edible species.
According to available data, wild mushrooms in Nepal belong to 108 families, 357 genera, and 1,291 species. Among these, there are 159 edible mushrooms, 74 medicinal mushrooms, and 100 poisonous mushrooms.
Nepal’s traditional diet, rich in fresh, locally sourced ingredients, promotes health and well-being through nutrient-dense foods like lentils, vegetables, and whole grains, along with probiotic-rich fermented items. However, the growing trend of adopting Western dietary habits, often involving processed and packaged foods, raises concerns about losing the benefits of our own nutritious foods. It’s crucial to question if these new habits truly improve our health or if they compromise it by increasing the risk of chronic diseases and environmental impact. Supporting our traditional foods fosters better health, sustainability, and cultural heritage.
Foraging, the practice of searching for and collecting wild food resources, has a deep-rooted culture in Nepal. Seasonal foraging yields a diverse array of wild edibles such as ferns, fiddlehead ferns, wild asparagus, and yarsagumba (a medicinal fungus). Every season brings a new bounty of fruits and vegetables, mostly organic and naturally provided by Mother Nature. Many believe that consuming wild, seasonal foods can greatly enhance health, reducing the need for medical visits.
Foraging is practiced globally, with foragers in the UK harvesting wild garlic and dill, which can evoke nostalgia for similar Nepali herbs like chyapi. It’s said that foraging for your own food limits your carbon footprint and helps to maintain the natural landscape. Done correctly, it reconnects us to nature while limiting our impact on our natural surroundings. Humans need to be an active part of changing the environment—even on this small scale.
Foraging should be modest, carried out with an understanding of the plants, fungi, and the delicate balance of biodiversity within different habitats. This practice needs to be done by someone thoughtful, informed, with knowledge of the local area.
The practice of foraging yarsagumba is not sustainable, and the local governments and protected areas authorities are charging people to reduce this unsustainable way of foraging. Sustainable foraging is crucial to ensure that future generations can also experience and benefit from these natural resources. It involves mindful collection practices that do not deplete the ecosystem, ensuring plants and fungi can continue to thrive.
In Nepal, foraged produce includes:
Ferns and fiddlehead ferns: Popular in many Nepali dishes, rich in vitamins and minerals.
Wild asparagus (Kurilo): Known for its medicinal properties and high nutrient content.
Yarsagumba: A rare and valuable fungus used in traditional medicine for its purported health benefits.
Wild berries and fruits: Various types are collected seasonally, providing essential vitamins and antioxidants.
Emphasizing foraging within our diets supports health, maintains biodiversity, and preserves cultural practices. Practicing sustainable foraging ensures these natural treasures remain available for future generations.
Edible and medicinal plants in Nepal
· Githa (Dioscorea bulbifera): Often foraged during the monsoon season.
· Bhyakur (Dioscorea deltoidea): Typically available in the monsoon season.
· Tarul (Dioscorea alata): Harvested in the winter, especially around Maghe Sankranti.
· Taro (Colocasia esculenta): Available during the monsoon and early autumn.
· Chiuri Fruit (Diploknema butyracea): Collected in late summer to early autumn.
· Kaphal (Myrica esculenta): Found in mid to high altitudes, foraged in late spring to early summer.
· Wild Lemon (Bimiro): Available during the monsoon season.
· Wild Strawberries: Found in hilly regions, available in late spring to early summer.
· Amala (Phyllanthus emblica): Available in winter.
· Chutro (Berberis asiatica): Collected in the autumn.
· Siltimur (Zanthoxylum armatum): Foraged in the monsoon season.
· Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum): Available in late summer to early autumn.
· Kurilo (Asparagus racemosus): Found in spring.
· Ban Lasun (Allium wallichii): Available in the monsoon season.
· Wild Mushrooms: Collected during the monsoon season.
· Ausadi: the mother of fermenting ingredients. Ausadi, a mixture of wild herbs and roots, plays a crucial role in the fermentation process for making traditional liquors across various communities in Nepal. This tradition is deeply rooted in cultural practices and is passed down through generations. Each region might have its own unique blend of herbs, contributing to the distinct flavors of their homemade liquors. This practice showcases the rich biodiversity of Nepal and the knowledge of local flora.
These foraged plants and fruits not only provide food but also have significant medicinal and cultural importance. They reflect the deep connection between the people of Nepal and their natural environment, highlighting sustainable living practices that have been maintained for centuries.
The author is UK-based R&D chef
