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The Yellow breasted bunting, an endangered species of bird, has been spotted in the buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park.

Locally known as Bagale Bagedi, the bird was seen for the first time in the area, said Suwan Chaudhary, a conservationist. He said that a flock of the bird was seen in the field of a local farmer in Dhaknia, Shuklaphanta Municipality-2.

Meanwhile, Hirulal Dagaura, ornithologist at Bird Conservation Nepal, said that the bird was first documented in Shuklaphanta National Park in 1980.

This bird has reached the point of extinction from the world after it was hunted excessively for its meat. "The number of yellow breasted bunting has been found to have decreased by 90 percent in the last decade", said Dagaura.  Just a few years ago the number of the bird in Nepal was in the thousands but now it has been limited to around 30.

Along with Kailali, Kanchanpur, Bardiya, Chitwan, Jhapa, the bird has also been found in some districts of Madhes province.

We spend a small fortune and a lot of time decorating our homes but often forget the staircase area. It’s the first thing guests see when they walk into a house. Forget guests, you see it daily. You would love for it to look nice. It’s not negligence but a lack of ideas that makes most of us turn a blind eye to this space. But with a little creativity, you can turn a utility space into your home’s focal point. Here are some ideas to help you inject a dose of style into a functional space.  

Add a stair runner

Stair runners are the easiest way to add charm to your granite, wooden, or tile stairs. It can create visual interest as well as serve as padding to minimize falls and injuries. You can find them in a variety of patterns, colors, and styles. Consider a jute runner if you have an all-white space to add some texture to it. Add some oomph into a neutral space by adding a runner in a bright, vibrant hue. You can also match your runner to the living room rug.

Create a gallery wall

Hang your favorite prints, photos, and artwork along the length of the wall along the stairs and you have a unique gallery wall that makes the stairs more than something you use to get from point A to point B. You can also display your travel treasures in box frames. Choose the same color frames if you want a cohesive look or mix and match frames in different colors for an eclectic charm.

Consider shelving units

Shelves are a great way to display items, store things, and add intrigue to any space. We often don’t consider shelves in the staircase area. But open shelves on the landing or even along the wall opposite the stairs can be used to showcase and store photos, knickknacks, and books. You can also place candles, and flower vases and pots to lend it a regal touch. Just make sure the shelves aren’t too broad and just big enough to hold little items.

Place some large houseplants

Plants bring an element of nature into your home. Each plant has its own requirement and most need to be placed in areas that get enough light and air. However, some plants thrive in low-light areas. Consider placing these in the staircase area. Don’t keep too many to avoid clutter. Place a tall one or two, in a cool ceramic or metal planter at one corner. A lush Fiddle Fig can be a great option.

Replace the light fixture

A stunning chandelier or interesting set of sconces might be the finishing touches your stairwell is missing. The stairs are a great place to play with lights and place large hanging light fixtures because of the extra height of the ceiling. If your stairs are dark, place lights along the length of it. The battery-operated ones can be a good solution if you don’t want wires running along the stairs. You can also add mirrors to reflect light in the space. You get mirror tiles in the market these days that you can simply stick in a desired pattern.

Make a cozy nook

The landing doesn’t have to be boring and mundane. Create a cozy reading or nap nook by adding a low-seater sofa or simply putting some large cushions on the floor and then doing it up with throws and pillows. It can be a space for your pet to relax. Alternatively, create an elegant and enviable vignette by adding a side table along with décor items like statues or large vases. This can be a space for you to drop your keys and other knick knacks as you go up to your bedroom. If your staircase has the space, the key is to make the most of available alcoves by adding pleasing furniture and decor.

Holi or the festival of colors, is being celebrated with much fanfare in hilly areas, including the capital city today while tomorrow in Tarai region.

The Phagu Poornima celebration begins with a Holika dahan or making a bonfire commemorating the death of Holika on the eve of Holi, the symbol of triumph of good over evil. The next day, people enjoy smearing one another with different colors including abir or red vermilion powder.

Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, the Phagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People from old to young enjoy the festival with enthusiasm.

One of the widely observed festivals of the country, Phagu Poornima begins on the eighth day of the new moon and ends with burning of the 'Chir', which was installed earlier, on the full moon day later today.

According to a Hindu myth, demon king Hiranyakashyapu who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to the God Bishnu ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction Holika who had a boon from the god that fire would not harm her sat on a fire by taking Prahlad on her lap, but was burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of God Bishnu.

From then onwards, the festival also known as Holi is celebrated by smearing colors with enjoyment. There is also a saying that Lord Bishnu had told Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if it was misused.

Senior people believe that any premonitions can be avoided if "Tika '' made from the ashes of the 'Chir' is put on one's forehead or kept in the house.

The government has announced a public holiday on this day.

Dhirendra Premarshi, an expert on the cultures of Nepal, said that Holi festival has played an important role in minimizing inequality and discrimination in the society.

Meanwhile, the District Police Range Kathmandu has said that the security apparatus has been strengthened to avoid any untoward incidents during the Holi festival.

More than 400 police personnel have been deployed for security in the valley alone, Senior Superintendent of Police Dineshraj Mainali of Kathmandu Valley Police Office said.

Maya Ko Pahichan Nepal, a non-profit organization advocating for the rights of the sexual and gender minorities, has announced Rehan Shrestha as the ambassador for the First International Pink Tourism Conference to be held on April 20-21.

Earlier, he was appointed as the ambassador for Visit Nepal 2020.

Organizing a press conference on Friday, the MKPN announced content creator and blogger Parakram Rana and woman entrepreneur Dr Mausam Bohara as the star promoters for the conference, according to Pahichan, an online news portal.

Blogger Lex Limbu has already been appointed the star ambassador for the conference.

Maya Ko Pahichan Nepal the Nepal Tourism Board are jointly organizing the conference.

Dr Bohara, as a successful woman entrepreneur, is expected to play a supportive role in promoting pink tourism.

During the program, Dr Bohara urged people to come together to make the event a grand success while Rana said that Nepal is a safe country for sexual and gender minorities. “Nepal is a safe country,” Rana said, adding, “I invite you to come to Nepal.”

Asia’s first openly gay former lawmaker of Nepal and also Executive Director for the Mayako Pahichan Nepal Sunil Babu Pant believes that the conference will play an important role in promoting Nepal’s tourism.

Pant, who is the pink tourism Cultural Ambassador for the Nepal, expressed the hope that Nepal’s gross domestic product would be boosted through pink tourism.

Maniraj Lamichhane, the NTB director underlined the importance of the conference saying travel companies have shown interest after training 24 people from the sexual and gender minority communities as trekking guides with the financial support of UNDP. The trained people have already started the jobs.