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The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has provided Rs 3 million in assistance to the Nepal Children's Organization.

The amount would be used for different purposes including managing housing, food and health care to the children residing in the Organization.

Deputy Mayor of KMC Sunita Dangol handed over the amount to Chairperson of Organization Bidya Neupane.

On the occasion, Deputy Mayor Dangol said that the KMC doled out the assistance amount after receiving complaints about the challenges the Organization is facing for the management of food and health care.

In the current fiscal year, the KMC is to provide Rs 5 million to the Organization.

Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhu Ram Sharma has indicated that the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track will fail to meet its latest deadline of April 2027. Addressing queries from lawmakers during the State Affairs Committee meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Sharma acknowledged that by the next deadline, the most achievable target will be to blacktop the road from Kathmandu to Nijgadh. “Even accomplishing that much would signify success,” he said, further noting, “It will require an additional 2/3 years to achieve 100 percent project completion.”

Sharma placed blame on the government and lawmakers for the national pride project’s delay, emphasizing the necessity of updating the existing laws to clear the hurdles blocking the project’s progress. He also cited an example where despite his nine-month-old request, the prime minister and defense minister are yet to give a go-ahead to remove four trees essential for the construction work. “I’m not pointing my finger at anyone; it’s just that these are the laws you’ve made,” he told the MPs.

Sharma also highlighted that stringent environmental protection laws established in the past are now impeding development. “Without amendments to these laws, completing any project in Nepal, not only the fast track, will be challenging.”

Members of the State Affairs Committee had expressed dissatisfaction with the limited progress of the fast track and sought an update from the army chief. Rajendra Pandey, a lawmaker from CPN (Unified Socialist), criticized the unsatisfactory progress of the expressway. He said that the project was entrusted to the army with the expectation of swift completion.

Latest progress

According to the Nepali Army, the physical progress of this project has reached 28.56 percent, while the financial progress stands at 29.44 percent. In the ongoing fiscal year, the physical progress has increased to 32.66 percent, while the financial progress remains at 10.8 percent.

The construction has been segmented into a total of 13 packages. Currently, work on seven packages is in progress, the procurement process for five packages is ongoing, and one package remains stalled in the disputed Khokana area where work has not started.

The total length of the track construction in progress stands at 44.627 km. Additionally, the length of the segments that are in the procurement process is 19.85 km. The Khokana land dispute area constitutes a stretch of 6.5 km.

The construction site of three tunnels—Mahadevtar, Dhedre, and Lendanda out of six tunnels are in progress. Work on three other tunnels has yet to start.

Currently, out of the total 6.415 km length of three tunnels, 3.592 km has been completed, marking a progress rate of 56 percent. This might be a hopeful sign. 

A total of 89 bridges covering a length of 12.885 km are slated for construction as part of the project, out of which five have already been completed. Among the remaining, 62 bridges are under construction, and procurement processes are underway for the 23 bridges while four bridges fall within the Khokana section with no progress.

Mahaludin Khatoon, 64, strolls alongside a lush green rice field on a bright and sunny day. A solar panel sits right in the middle of the field. Once there, she extends her hand behind the panel and presses a green switch to activate her pump. There is a distant gurgling sound for a moment and soon after water gushes past her hand and into the adjacent irrigation channel.

With a satisfied smile, Mahaludin remarks, “Every day, this solar-powered system brings life to these fields, ensuring a bountiful harvest for our community.”

Over the past decade, a quiet revolution is taking place in Nepal’s Tarai belt, as farmers are ditching diesel pumps in favor of grid-connected solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) to irrigate their lands. 

Solar-powered pumps are particularly valuable for irrigation because they can be used in remote or off-grid locations where other power sources may not be readily available. Diesel pumps, predominantly operated by the men in agricultural communities, limit women’s participation in critical agricultural activities.

Diesel pumps are often rented—a challenge for women since they typically lack their own income—and present other logistical challenges. The need for transport to and from the rental location is a hurdle in itself. These pumps are heavy and cumbersome to transport, which can be particularly daunting for women who may not have access to suitable means of carrying them. Furthermore, the process of manually starting the diesel pumps can be physically demanding and technically intricate.

Mahaludin says, “In the past, using diesel pumps was a challenge for me, and I was primarily confined to household duties. However, since we installed the grid-connected solar irrigation pump, I can now effortlessly manage the pumps even when my son or husband aren’t home. I no longer have to rely on anyone else or experience delays in irrigating the fields.”

Mahaludin skilfully irrigates her kitchen garden using a motor. Her ability to operate the SIP with ease has brought a sense of independence, eliminating the need to depend on male counterparts of her family for field irrigation. A female committee has been formed in Chipparmai Rural Municipality to oversee decision making related to the solar irrigation pumps. Mahaludin leads this female committee.

Although gender roles have been deeply entrenched for centuries in Chipparmai, having a grid-connected SIP has been a game-changer for women like Mahaludin Khatoon. Access to solar irrigation pumps lets women take charge of their farming operations—they can irrigate their fields, leading to increased crop yields and potentially higher income. By adopting solar technology, women farmers can also contribute to sustainable farming practices by reducing their environmental impact.

Behind the scenes, dedicated individuals like Bhulan Kumar Shah, a junior technical assistant, play a pivotal role in promoting SIPs and gender-responsive agriculture. Bhulan’s involvement with SIPs dates back to their inception, and he has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of this technology.

Bhulan explains that the allocation of SIPs is not arbitrary; rather, it’s a well-thought-out process. Last year, out of the 48 farmers who received SIPs, 10 were women who seized the opportunity. Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) offers a 60 percent subsidy, with the remaining 40 percent funded by the rural municipality. But notably, when land is registered in a woman’s name, Bhulan says the allocation receives priority treatment, expediting the process. The SIPs also come with a two-year warranty, ensuring their reliability and longevity.

SIPs were first introduced in Nepal in 2012, which played a pivotal role in demonstrating the technical viability of SIPs for groundwater irrigation in the Tarai and lifting irrigation in Nepal’s mid-hill regions, then followed by a larger pilot program. These pilot initiatives emphasized the importance of government’s financial support to offset the substantial initial costs, thereby ensuring the economic feasibility of SIPs for Nepali farmers.

To promote SIP adoption, the government initiated its subsidy program in 2016, which has since resulted in a significant increase in female applicants, now comprising one-third of the program’s participants. With a primary objective of promoting renewable energy technologies (RETs) across the country, the AEPC was established in 1996 as a semi-autonomous national entity under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation. It extends a subsidy of 60 percent, with the remaining 40 percent being contributed by the rural municipality.

Traditionally the land is generally owned by the men in families. When women work at the land, the income from the produce is taken by the male family member. An intriguing aspect emerged as we spoke to Mahaludin and her 29-year-old son Najir Miya. Even though the family’s ancestral land is registered under her husband’s name, any new land acquired is registered in the wife’s name—Mahaludin’s name, to be precise.

This deliberate shift in land ownership is not a mere coincidence; it’s a strategic move driven by practicality. The land revenue system bestows certain advantages upon women who own land, making the process quicker and more economical. The registration fees for land under a woman’s name stand at a modest three percent, a significant reduction from the 10 percent levied on land owned by men. It’s a gender-responsive approach that benefits both the family and the community.

These pumps are not merely instruments for irrigating fields; they are catalysts for change, bridging generations, empowering women, and revolutionizing agriculture. Grid-connected SIPs have revolutionized the way water is drawn for farming, making it not just more sustainable but also more environmentally friendly. This transformation couldn’t have come at a better time, as climate change-induced uncertainties loom large over the agrarian landscape.

In the gentle hum of a SIP, we hear the whisper of progress, the promise of a more equitable future. The story of Mahaludin Khatoon is emblematic of the larger narrative unfolding across rural landscapes. It’s a narrative of resilience, adaptability, and the harmonious coexistence of tradition and innovation. The journey of grid-connected SIPs has just begun, but the path ahead is illuminated by the warm embrace of the sun, the ingenuity of farmers, and the determination to create a better tomorrow for all, one drop of water at a time.

Salako Pata Tapari Gasera

Bheta Bho Maya

Jama Dada Katera

This beautiful song by Uma Ghale Gurung is a childhood memory. The song roughly translates to “while stitching leaves of the Shorea robusta (sal tree), I met my love… let’s go cross the hills (with the lover).

The song echoes in my mind every time I touch the tapari. Living in the UK, you might think I’m romanticizing tapari and sal leaves, but I use tapari more than most Nepalis in Kathmandu. It’s available in the market in the UK and it’s getting popular.

A UK-based company with partners in Nepal and India is marketing sal leaves (‘sal ko tapari’) in the UK. Tapari Limited, established in 2017, states that the production of tapari products takes place in Nepal where the collection of leaves and work in the factory provide employment to women in poor villages with no other work opportunities. Production of tapari supports more than 1,000 families in the region.

Traditionally, tapari is made by stitching several leaves of the Shorea robusta (sal tree) together with fine bamboo sticks. It has the highest potential for replacing non-degradable plastic plates, thereby helping to mitigate plastic pollution. These days it is made by machine. Sal leaves plates are often referred to as tapari if it is big, medium-sized leaves plates are called bota, and smaller size leaves plates are called duna.

They are mostly made from sal leaves but in Pokhara they are also made from Hazelnut tree leaves. Sal leaves have long been an integral part of Hindu mythology, Nepali culture, and Ayurvedic tradition. Beyond their cultural significance, sal leaves have a plethora of benefits ranging from health to environmental sustainability, making them an invaluable resource with export potential to Europe, America, and the Western world.

Sal leaves are a sustainable alternative to plastic and Styrofoam disposable plates. Unlike single-use plastics that contribute to pollution and take centuries to decompose, sal leaves are biodegradable and easily compostable. Choosing sal leaf plates helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with plastic production and disposal.

Sal trees are abundant in Nepal and neighboring regions. Harvesting sal leaves doesn’t harm the tree as they are naturally shed, making it a renewable resource. This sustainable practice can help conserve forests and promote biodiversity.

The production of sal leaf plates involves minimal processing and energy use, resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to plastic or paper plate manufacturing. This eco-friendly approach aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.

Sal leaves have been cherished in Ayurveda for their therapeutic properties. They are known for their antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities. Sal leaf-based remedies are used to treat a wide range of health issues, from wounds and burns to skin disorders and digestive problems.

Sal leaf plates are chemical-free and don’t leach harmful substances into food, unlike some plastic and foam alternatives. This makes them a healthier choice for serving food, particularly in eco-conscious regions like Europe and America.

With growing global awareness of environmental issues and a shift toward sustainable living, the demand for eco-friendly products is on the rise. Sal leaf plates align perfectly with this trend.

Sal leaf plates also offer a touch of authentic Nepali culture and tradition. They can be marketed as unique, handcrafted items that bring a piece of Nepal to foreign shores, appealing to those interested in global cuisines and traditions.

As countries around the world implement stricter regulations on single-use plastics, sal leaf plates provide an alternative that is not only sustainable but also compliant with emerging environmental standards.

In the pursuit of harnessing the potential of sal leaves as a sustainable solution, it’s crucial to emphasize responsible harvesting practices. Sustainable collection methods, such as selectively plucking naturally fallen leaves, can ensure the continued health of sal trees and local ecosystems.

Collaborative efforts between local communities, governments, and environmental organizations can help implement sustainable management practices. Initiatives to protect sal forests and promote reforestation can safeguard these valuable resources for future generations.

Encouraging local communities to engage in sal leaf collection and processing can provide economic opportunities. By establishing fair trade practices and supporting small-scale artisans, Nepal can ensure that the benefits of sal leaf exports are distributed equitably.

Raising awareness about the environmental and cultural significance of sal leaves can garner support both locally and internationally. Educational programs can inform consumers about the benefits of choosing sal leaf products, driving demand, and supporting sustainable practices.

The power of sal leaves extends far beyond their cultural and medicinal significance. Through sustainable harvesting, innovative marketing, and a commitment to environmental responsibility, Nepal can not only export Sal leaf products to the Western world but also contribute to a global shift towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.

Sal leaves, deeply rooted in Nepali culture and Ayurvedic traditions, offer a sustainable solution to the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste. With their natural health benefits and minimal carbon footprint, sal leaf plates have the potential to make a positive impact on global efforts to combat climate change and promote eco-friendly living.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef