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For me, foraging for ‘katus’ each year was something I eagerly looked forward to. It wasn’t just about the nuts—it was the challenge, the thrill, and the friendly competition with my friends. We were teenagers, full of energy and determination, racing up and down steep slopes in search of the perfect harvest.

The spiky husks of the katus nuts made them tricky to collect. No matter how carefully I tried, the sharp spines always managed to prick through my fingers. We would climb the trees or shake the branches with bamboo poles, sending nuts tumbling to the ground. To catch them, we spread mats beneath the trees, but the steep slopes often caused the nuts to roll away, adding another layer of difficulty to the task. Slipping and sliding down the hillside was inevitable, but it was all part of the fun. We would laugh at each other’s missteps, only to scramble back up and continue the race.

The competition was intense. We rushed to collect the most nuts, and even when someone fell, it was just more reason to laugh. By the end of the day, we were covered in scratches and dirt, but our baskets were full, and we were filled with a sense of accomplishment.

This is my memory of Nepali chestnuts, locally known as katus (Castanopsis indica). Katus is an essential part of the Tihar festival for hill-dwelling Hindus in Nepal.

The katus tree, part of the Fagaceae family that includes oaks and chestnuts, is a medium-sized tree growing eight to 14 meters tall. It has a dense, rounded canopy with thick, leathery evergreen leaves. The tree produces reddish-brown nuts with thin spines, which grow in small clusters. These nuts are highly valued for their nutritional benefits and are a key part of local diets.

The tree flourishes in Nepal’s mid-hill regions, between altitudes of 300 and 1,000 meters above sea level. It prefers well-drained, loamy soil and heavy rainfall, making it a common sight in mixed forests alongside other native species.

Katus nuts are typically foraged from late summer to early autumn, between August and October. The methods used to gather these nuts have been passed down through generations. One of the first steps involves identifying the right trees. Elders taught us how to spot mature, healthy trees that would yield a good harvest. Certain trees were known for producing more fruit, and those were our top priority.

When it came to harvesting, we either climbed the trees or used long bamboo poles to shake the branches and knock down the nuts. To prevent the nuts from rolling down the hill, we would lay mats under the trees to catch them. After the nuts were collected, the next task was sorting and drying. We carefully removed the spiky husks and spread the nuts out in the sun to dry, a process that could take several days.

Katus nuts are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. They are packed with carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. Their slightly sweet, nutty flavor makes them a versatile ingredient in Nepali cuisine. Roasted katus nuts are a favorite snack, and they are often used in porridges, stews, and breads. I fondly remember my grandmother roasting the nuts over an open fire. The aroma would fill the air, and we would crack them open with rocks to enjoy them hot.

In addition to their culinary uses, katus nuts are believed to have medicinal properties. They are traditionally used to treat colds, coughs, and digestive problems. The bark of the katus tree is also valuable, often used in tanning and made into poultices to treat skin conditions.

Katus trees, despite their cultural and nutritional value, are facing several challenges. One of the main threats is deforestation and habitat loss due to logging and expanding agricultural activities. This destruction of forests directly impacts the katus trees, reducing their natural habitat. Another significant issue is climate change. Unpredictable weather patterns, irregular rainfall, and temperature changes are affecting the growth and fruiting of these trees.

Additionally, as younger generations move to cities, traditional knowledge about katus foraging is slowly disappearing. This loss of cultural practices could weaken the sustainable harvesting methods that have been passed down for generations.

However, efforts are being made to preserve katus trees and foraging traditions. Local communities, with support from the government and NGOs, are participating in community-based conservation projects. These initiatives involve creating community forests and planting more katus trees to protect their natural habitat. There is also a push to promote katus-based products, which could provide an additional source of income for local people. By developing and marketing these products, it not only encourages conservation efforts but also helps keep the tradition of katus foraging alive.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

Press Council Nepal Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet said that he is determined to take action against any media that spurs anarchy.

Mentioning that legal action has been taken against some media for deliberately disseminating false information to disrupt social harmony and incite ethnic hatred, he said, “Some elements may be active to create confusion in the society by attacking the system. Media should always stay far from such characters and trends. The Council has already taken action against some media. Others will also be brought to book.”

Speaking at an orientation class attended by the editors of newly launched online media on Tuesday, he said that the violation of journalistic code of conduct is the abuse of press freedom, urning all to do journalism responsibly.

Just 2 weeks ago, the Press Council had written to Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police to take action against 43 YouTube channels for carrying out wrong activities under the guise of journalism.

Further action is being taken by placing some media in black list.

Chairman Basnet said that the online and YouTube media, which are flourishing in the digital world, should always be careful of being used by any interest group.

“Journalism has its own values, beliefs and principles. There are codes of conduct accepted globally. Spreading false information through media is also to provoke the society,” Basnet said.

Meanwhile, journalist duo Keshav Sharan Lamichhane and Bijay Raj Adhikari have been appointed as the board members in the Council.

During Nepal’s festive season, consumption surges, bringing mixed effects: economic benefits alongside environmental concerns.

Overconsumption is a situation where consumers overuse available goods and services. An easy distinction between regular consumption and overconsumption can be characterized by the quantity of goods and services consumed; consuming any amount more than what is essential or actually needed is overconsumption. It goes beyond just economic terminology—it’s a pattern that can strain both personal budgets and natural resources.

Festivals like Dashain and Tihar are celebrated with great anticipation, traditionally marked by buying new clothes, indulging in foods, and restocking households with decorative items. This period sees a significant increase in retail activity, with shops offering discounts to encourage more spending. As a result, Nepal sees a peak in consumption—often bordering on overconsumption—during this time.

According to sociologist Ramesh Parajuli, “Overconsumption during the festive season is apparent. It has become a trend in society to spend more during Dashain and Tihar.” He added: People tend to imitate each other; if one person spends a lot, others feel the need to do the same.

Roshana Shrestha, a wholesale shopkeeper in Baneshwor, noted increased sales of goods during Dashain, “During this festive season, sales are definitely higher. Packaged food items were sold more during Dashain, and for Tihar, people have already started to purchase dry fruits.”

Feasts during Dashain are often incomplete without meat. “Business peaks during Dashain and Tihar. Demand is very high, so we stock more accordingly,” said Sandip Lama, a meat seller from Sinamangal.

Sajina Kunwar, a consumer, said, “Consumption in my household is high during the festive season. However, due to the increasingly expensive prices in the market, we have been buying less than in previous years. The monthly budget for the household is definitely higher during Dashain and Tihar, maybe almost double.”

Overconsumption also affects the environment. According to the United Nations Environment Programme: “We are currently consuming more resources than ever, exceeding the planet’s capacity for generation.” As ecosystems are not able to keep up with excessive, growing resource extraction, overconsumption leads to deterioration of the natural world. The theory is straightforward; the more we consume, the more resources get depleted in order to produce what we consume. As natural resources are limited, and resources are depleted at a rate faster than they can replenish, overconsumption leads to deterioration of the environment.

According to findings from UN Environment’s Global Resources Outlook 2019, resource extraction has more than tripled since 1970. In recent years, urban expansion in Nepal has converted land use from agricultural to urban and peri urban settlements. The conversion rate of rural into urban areas jumped from 23 percent in 2014 to 66 percent in 2017. There is less land available for growing crops and raising livestock, reducing overall food production.

With reduced local agricultural capacity, urban areas often turn to imported food to meet demand. This increases the need for transportation, which consumes more fuel and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, further stressing the environment. To compensate for lost agricultural areas, new farmland is often carved out of natural ecosystems, like forests, leading to further environmental degradation and deforestation.

As we consume more, more waste is produced. About 3.32m people in 18 municipalities of the Kathmandu Valley generate more than 1,200 tons of municipal solid waste daily, most of it ending up in landfills, dumped in the open, or burnt at sources.

During the festive season, as consumption in Nepal peaks, so does the waste produced. Devendra Khadka, managing director of Action Waste Pvt Ltd, a waste collection and management company, said, “Obviously, more waste is collected during Dashain and Tihar. We categorize our waste as wet and dry. While the volume of both kinds of waste is higher during the peak festive season, wet waste is often even more. Wet waste consists of biodegradable waste such as from the kitchen, flowers and other things used for festivities.”

The current problem of waste management in Nepal makes the issue even worse. Madhukar Upadhya, climate change and climate finance expert, said, “Consumption during Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath is higher than the rest of the year, especially in terms of items used for worshiping, such as flowers and jamara, food items, kitchen waste, etc. Houses are deeply cleaned before Dashain. This results in more waste. Disposal of such waste is what raises concern for the environment.

“I see that some houses burn the wastes. This results in air pollution and has detrimental effects on the environment. Burning plastic has severe effects on the health of people. Disposal of waste in water bodies is another issue. During the festive season, this is even higher. If we look at the rivers in Kathmandu, they look more like sewage drainage than water bodies. Proper waste management is crucial, especially during times when waste collection is high.”

While buying a new pair of jeans, a chiffon saree or a box of sweets as a way to celebrate the festival could do no harm, the problem arises in mindless shopping. But what dictates how much consumption is too much?

Baburam Adhikari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, said, “It is our culture to consume more and wear new clothes during the festive season. So the festive season is known to cause a surge in spending, driving demand in the market, and helping the economy flourish.”

A delivery driver from the courier service provider, Nepal Can Move, said orders double, even triple, during the festive season. Even international couriers to Nepal are also higher.

Some economists estimate that 40-70 percent of market activities take place during Dashain and Tihar. Increased demand supports local artisans and small businesses. Items for puja, including flowers and garlands, are in high demand, especially during Tihar, boosting domestic industries and supporting livelihoods.

Laxmi Magar, a tailor based in New Road said, “The number of orders almost doubles during Dashain and Tihar. The festive season is like a breath of fresh air in an otherwise challenging economic climate.”

For small business owners like Magar, the festive season is crucial for profitability. While festive overconsumption supports the economy, its environmental toll is concerning. To balance these impacts, sustainable consumption practices are essential. Small adjustments, such as thoughtful purchasing, reusing decorations, and responsible waste disposal, can help preserve Nepal’s natural resources. By adopting mindful consumption, Nepal can celebrate responsibly, ensuring both economic resilience and environmental health.

The Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases Control Division has confirmed that three types of dengue viruses -- serotype-1, serotype-2 and serotype-3 -- are active in Nepal. 

Chief of the Division's Vector Borne Disease Control Section Dr Gokarna Prasad Dahal confirmed that DV-1, -2, and -3 were reported in the country.

"In the past, serotype-1, serotype-2, serotype-3 and serotype-4 were active. Based on the study of genes of the virus, three types of them were found to be active now," Dr Dahal said.

He shared that the risk of dengue fever continues till the month of Kartik (mid-November) as the mosquitoes remain active up to that period.

After that, the dengue-transmitting mosquitoes will vanish gradually as the temperature dips.

So far, all districts except Humla have reported dengue and the cases exceeded 27,000 with 11 deaths this year.

Kaski district has the highest number of dengue cases with 7,080 and the number of dengue patients is 5,748 in the Kathmandu Valley.

The government has launched a campaign of "Larva Search and Destroy" every Friday to prevent the spread of dengue.

The mosquito-borne disease is transmitted by Aedes-aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The mosquitoes of the species are active in the morning and evening time and breed in the pooled water. It is said that the white blood cell count goes down in the critical cases of dengue.

The mosque-transmitted disease which was mostly found in Terai-Madhes in the past has now spread across the country including even in the mountainous areas.