Right after Dasain festivities, the Surya Nepal Jazzmandu is back in town and this time it is celebrating two decades of the jazz festival. Also known as Kathmandu Jazz Festival, the annual music fest which started in 2002 will run from 24-30 October this year. Over the years, it has established itself as a premier jazz event, pioneering and cultivating the taste of jazz in Nepal.&nbsp; Much like the previous editions, the organisers aim to bring together jazz musicians of different backgrounds and origins, substantiating a platform for cultural interaction simultaneously.&nbsp; “Jazzmandu is an act of love for our city, our audiences, and for the music – and we’ve still got lots more love to give,” says Samir Chettri of Kathmandu Jazz Festival.&nbsp; This year’s five-day musical symposium features a lineup of artists celebrated from across the globe. They specialise not just in jazz but infusing it with different types of music. Eastern Classical featuring Jonisha Paudel, Santosh Bhakta, Roshan Putwar, Nimesh Kapali as well as Gandharva music are something to look forward this edition. <h2>Erik Truffaz (Switzerland)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20241023071012_ec1d5abbf4f3be74f7a3298985ff38022f3f4f54627fd8ac51294fa63f24bd0c.jpg" data-media-id="editor_0" data-image-id="20241023071012_ec1d5abbf4f3be74f7a3298985ff38022f3f4f54627fd8ac51294fa63f24bd0c" data-rendition-name="original" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy" alt="Erik Truffaz"> </figure>  Jazz trumpeter Erik Truffaz’s music has pushed the boundaries of what trumpet-led jazz can be. In his decade-long career, Truffaz has seamlessly blended hip hop, rock and roll and dance music with jazz. Truffaz entered into the jazz scene in the early nineties but it was the 1998 album ‘The Dawn’ that gave him his breakthrough– establishing him as a pioneering force in contemporary jazz. From recording in India on the banks of the Ganga, to collaborations with indie rockers, Truffaz has showcased his ability as a peerless all-rounder and ceaseless innovator. He has given scores to symphony orchestras, and has also written and composed music extensively for cinema.Truffaz is in the ranks of European jazz royalty, continuing to inspire a new generation of musicians and music lovers. Erik Truffaz – Trumpet | Alexis Anérilles – Keyboard | &nbsp;Marcello Giuliani – Bass | Raphael Chassin – Drums <h2>Sheroes (USA)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20241023071012_ce7ebb7d4bac391253c5cebfae761dbd2eb027df30b57579c156791d3248ca3f.jpg" data-media-id="editor_1" data-image-id="20241023071012_ce7ebb7d4bac391253c5cebfae761dbd2eb027df30b57579c156791d3248ca3f" data-rendition-name="original" width="2560" height="1369" loading="lazy" alt="Sheroes"> </figure>  This all-female band is an anomaly in the jazz scene where women still remain underrepresented. Sheroes was the brainchild of pianist, composer and arranger Monika Herzig who wanted to bring women jazz musicians together and provide powerful role models on stage and break the lingering gender stereotypes in jazz. The band is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Sheroes ensembles over time have brought together an extended network of talented women jazz musicians. Together, the musicians create music as they navigate their individual skill and style while showcasing an undeniable chemistry. Sheroes continues to elevate some of the top composers and players in jazz.&nbsp; Monica Herzig – Piano | Jamie Baum – Flute |&nbsp; Reut Regev – Trombone | Gina Schwarz – Bass |&nbsp; Rosa Avila – Drums <h2>Alma Naidu (Germany)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20241023071012_655281cecef3a041aa0abde2f66cb39deba3a323b37020ae15e01613131a1113.jpg" data-media-id="editor_2" data-image-id="20241023071012_655281cecef3a041aa0abde2f66cb39deba3a323b37020ae15e01613131a1113" data-rendition-name="original" width="2375" height="2560" loading="lazy" alt="Alma Naidu"> </figure>  Described as “one of the most promising singers on the German scene” by Süddeutsche Zeitung, a daily newspaper in Germany, Alma Naidu is a singer, composer and lyricist based in Munich. Naidu boasts an enviable collection of top prizes honouring rising German jazz artists, and has also appeared in various musical theatre and opera productions.&nbsp; Her debut album, Alma, was released in 2022 and comprised almost entirely of her own compositions and arrangements. Relatively an emerging artist among the Jazzmandu’s lineup, has previously performed across Germany, the Czech Republic and France with her touring quartet, which features her on the keys as well as vocals. Alma Naidu – Vocals and piano | Andeas Dombert – Guitar &nbsp;| Ferdinand Schwartz – Bass | Florian Stierstofer – Drums <h2>Antonio Lizana Quintet (Spain)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20241023071016_1a0138b8a158fc714b22730390d152d4782ef8480dd780d2387df350a3ab3544.jpg" data-media-id="editor_3" data-image-id="20241023071016_1a0138b8a158fc714b22730390d152d4782ef8480dd780d2387df350a3ab3544" data-rendition-name="original" width="2560" height="1097" loading="lazy" alt="Antonio quintet"> </figure>  Antonio Lizana is a jazz saxophonist and flamenco singer and composer who has blended jazz with flamenco and is one of the most celebrated representatives of new flamenco jazz. Lizana’s quintet have performed in more than 30 countries – including at festivals in London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Madrid, Barcelona and beyond – and has worked on Grammy-winning works with artists such as Arturo O’Farrill and Alejandro Sanz. Lizana’s live shows have been described as a “breathtaking journey from flamenco roots to contemporary jazz”, with his soulful lyrics carrying messages of optimism and sincerity to his audiences access the globe. Antonio Lizana – Vocals and saxophone | Adriano Lozano – Guitar and and backing vocals | Ismael Alcina – Bass and backing vocals&nbsp; | Vincent Thomas – Drums | El Mawi – Flamenco dancing and backing vocals <h2>Afro Dizzi Act (Australia)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20241023071016_473edf5ef5fdc479f0c6caf7256cecc3084aba72876ad539150693bec2301e04.jpg" data-media-id="editor_4" data-image-id="20241023071016_473edf5ef5fdc479f0c6caf7256cecc3084aba72876ad539150693bec2301e04" data-rendition-name="original" width="1500" height="1255" loading="lazy" alt="Afro Dizzy Act"> </figure>  Born as an adventurous jam band in Brisbane in the late 1990s, Afro Dizzi Act is known to be one of the best fusion bands to ever come out of Australia, and is celebrated as one of the country’s premier festival bands. From an early sound that blended in hip-hop as well as drum and bass, the band took on influences from jazz and world music as its growing reputation took the musicians to new places, arriving at World Beat Festival that comprises a dizzying variety of musical traditions and a mind-opening global perspective.&nbsp; Afro Dizzi Act has headlined top Australian festivals such as the Big Day Out and the Byron Bay Bluesfest, performed in Dubai, toured the Northeast of India, and played at the first edition of Jazzmandu in 2002. This year, to celebrate Jazzmandu’s 20th anniversary, the band will be performing alongside Navin Chettri of the Cadenza Collective to revive early days of the annual jazz festival. Nick Aggs – Saxophone | Shannon Sol Carroll – Guitar |&nbsp; Oj Newcomb – Bass | Navin Chettri – Drums |&nbsp; Matt Ledgar – Percussions <h2>Cadenza Collective (Nepal)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20241023071016_dab2e03a9643141a4b1416a6bc00e8fea59840798b07c631a30190a93f39e7b3.jpg" data-media-id="editor_5" data-image-id="20241023071016_dab2e03a9643141a4b1416a6bc00e8fea59840798b07c631a30190a93f39e7b3" data-rendition-name="original" width="857" height="544" loading="lazy" alt="Cadenza"> </figure>  Cadenza Collective, spearheaded by drummer and composer Navin Chettri, has been blending Jazz, Afro-funk, and Nepali folk into an irresistible sound to get your groove on. Formed in 1998, Cadenza was one of the first bands to experiment with jazz in the Kathmandu Valley, at a time when rock and pop music dominated the music scene. Cadenza broke the mould and has evolved into a mature and experienced collective of musicians and music educators.&nbsp; Their music has pumped vitality into the improvised music scene in Nepal and beyond through regular performances with both classical and western musicians. With 5 albums to date showcasing their original music, their latest, Back to the Roots, won Best Pop/Rock Composition for their song “Namaste”, and Best Pop/Rock Album of the Year at the 2014 Nepal Hits FM Music Awards. Navin Chettri – Vocals and Drums | Rajat Rai – Guitar |&nbsp; Samir Chettri – Bass | InapRaj Shrestha – Tenor Sax |&nbsp; Pravin Chhetri – Alto Sax <h2>Samundra (Nepal)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20241023071016_18153f12a84a9e1cc890cad600f0ab3a519be2f563db984e984ec5251e4c7d57.jpg" data-media-id="editor_6" data-image-id="20241023071016_18153f12a84a9e1cc890cad600f0ab3a519be2f563db984e984ec5251e4c7d57" data-rendition-name="original" width="2048" height="1153" loading="lazy" alt="Samundra band"> </figure>  Samundra is a band of musicians and sarangi players known for their performances of Nepali folk fusion music. Formed in 2004, the band stays true to the age-old traditional folk music of the Gandharba community. They recompose authentic Nepali tunes in new forms, updating the cherished old music for contemporary taste. They also educate people on traditional music through their YouTube channel, making it accessible for all. Anil Gandharba also teaches how to use sarangi on their channel. This band is passionate about promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Nepal through their music. Anil Gandharba - Sarangi | Arbajo Buddha Gandharba - Sarangi | Ramkrishna Gandharba - Flute/Arbajo | Samsher Gandharba - Madal | Arjun Gandharba - Madal | Raju Gandharba - Percussion <h2>Dhrupad Gurukul (Nepal)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20241023071016_ac99f1d13ac3532016a08227a7592381b03c460fc4df13b06a463059ae0fe24a.jpg" data-media-id="editor_7" data-image-id="20241023071016_ac99f1d13ac3532016a08227a7592381b03c460fc4df13b06a463059ae0fe24a" data-rendition-name="original" width="1280" height="960" loading="lazy" alt="Dhrupad Gurukul"> </figure>  <h2> </h2> Dhrupad is a form of Hindustani classical music that is distinguished by its emphasis on maintaining the purity of ragas and swaras.&nbsp; Vishal Bhattarai joined hands with his gurubhai Inoue Sou to establish Dhrupad Gurukul Kathmandu, and the duo has been performing and teaching Dhrupad in Nepal for the last decade. Their performance at Jazzmandu will be joined by the renowned pakhawaj player Mukesh Shakya, and two students currently training under the Gurukul. <h2>SCHEDULE&nbsp;</h2> Jazz for the Next Generation&nbsp; Thursday, 24 October&nbsp; 11AM- 1:30PM&nbsp; Closed Invitation&nbsp; St Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel&nbsp; Groovin’ at Upstairs Thursday, 24 October&nbsp; 7PM – 9PM&nbsp; Rs1,000 Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat Valley Jams Friday, 25 October&nbsp; 6:30PM – 9PM Rs800 Simultaneously at:&nbsp; Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat Electric Pagoda, Thamel Eden, Jhamsikhel La Terrasse, Chundevi Hard Rock Cafe, Durbar Marg Jazz Bazaar Saturday, 26 October 3PM – 10PM&nbsp; Rs1,600 Gokarna Forest Resort Sounds of Flamenco Jazz and Afro-Beat Monday, 28 October 7PM – 9PM Rs2,000 Lawn by Nanglo, Jhamsikhel Jazz at Patan Tuesday, 29 October&nbsp; 7PM – 9PM Rs2,000 Dhokaima Cafe, Patan Jazzmandu Finale Wednesday, 30 October 5:30PM - 10PM&nbsp; Rs1,800 The Malla Hotel, Lainchaur&nbsp;

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Jazzing up the town for the 20th time

It is festival season here in Nepal. Along with Dasain, Tihar and Chhat there is also Kathmandu’s very own international jazz festival. This year, Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, the music festival that put Nepal on the planetary jazz map, turns 19. With a brand-new ensemble of musicians from all over the world, it might just be the event to help one do away with Dasain blues and warm up for the festival of lights. “It stemmed from the love of jazz we have,” says Samir Chettri of Nepali jazz band Cadenza Collective, who is part of the organising team. “Many Nepalis cannot afford to go abroad and check out concerts, so we thought why not bring international musicians here.” Artists this year include Plurism, Under the Surface, Lucile Chriqui, Palouse Forro, Himalayan Highway, Samundra Band, Dhrubesh/Friends of Sukarma, Nick Aggs &amp; Cadenza Collective as well as other eastern classical musicians. Jazz has come a long way from the cobbled streets of New Orleans in the late 19th century, it has evolved into Latin jazz, gypsy jazz, Afro-Cuban jazz, and even Nepali jazz. But even though the art form has branched out, improvisation is still its heart and soul.&nbsp; “Jazz is never constant, it is evolving. Culture is important in jazz,” explains Chettri. When the festival was first held in Kathmandu in 2002, very few in Nepal had heard of jazz. Today, Nepalis not only make up half of the audience in the concerts, there are local jazz musicians ready to represent Nepal. There are now jazz schools and students performing jazz. Every year with a host of new artists, the festival infuses new styles and trends into the local jazz scene while showcasing Nepal’s best in jazz. Says Chhetri: “At the heart of the festival, we want to celebrate music and inspire a new generation of musicians.” &nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Plurism (Switzerland/South Africa)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231102051124_cb84ae7f832ef16a8f29b34edcb813eb38e164c76b5eaf4c1d2184f8fb22224a.jpg" data-media-id="editor_0" data-image-id="20231102051124_cb84ae7f832ef16a8f29b34edcb813eb38e164c76b5eaf4c1d2184f8fb22224a" data-rendition-name="original" width="3000" height="2000" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu 2023"> </figure>  Plurism sees Swiss drummer and band leader Dominic Egli combine forces with the esteemed South African trumpeter Feya Faku and a stellar cast of musicians with a shared friendship as well as musical sensibility. Plurism is anchored in Egli’s intense curiosity about the many colours of African rhythm. The nostalgic sensitivity of his playing is grounded by the bass of Xaver Rüegg, with Faku displaying his uncanny temperament on the trumpet, Mthunzi Mvubu with prolific vocabulary is on the alto saxophone and Sisonke Xonti’s audacious yet vulnerable style on the tenor saxophone. Plurism remains complex yet simple, explosive yet tender, down-to-earth yet otherworldly, with the musicians always drawing out more from each other and the audience. Feya Faku – Trumpet and flugelhorn | Mthunzi Mvubu – Alto saxophone &nbsp; Sisonke Xonti – Tenor saxophone | Xaver Ruegg – Bass | Dominic Egli – Drums and cymbals <h2>Lucile Chriqui (France)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231102051124_f9b3a6ba8890eb21bd03f3bd349644da85a20301831fe86e7e7c1bb7e02f656b.jpg" data-media-id="editor_1" data-image-id="20231102051124_f9b3a6ba8890eb21bd03f3bd349644da85a20301831fe86e7e7c1bb7e02f656b" data-rendition-name="original" width="2000" height="1334" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu 2023"> </figure>  Lucile Chriqui, an award-winning singer-songwriter, is one of the brightest new talents in French Jazz. Blessed with natural musical and vocal flair, she honed her craft training under the American jazz singer Sara Lazarus and the French violinist Didier Lockwood, among others. Her list of collaborators includes rising names in international jazz such as Philippe Baden Powell, Munir Hossn, and Nils Frechilla, and she even shared the stage with renowned French singer Camille Dalmais. She has also worked on numerous stage and film productions, including collaboration with the composer Chassol on music for the Netflix series “En place”. Lucile’s music melds influences from Cuba, Andalusia, Brazil, and more, with daring harmonies that define an inimitable style. Lucile Chriqui – Vocals | Bruno Schorp – Bass | Arthur Links – Guitar | Gaetan Diaz – Drum <h2>Nick Aggs &amp; Cadenza Collective (Australia/Nepal)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231102051124_5d6066f9053da401b6f25abafba52a7aeee8968d161458bede9734cc106d654e.jpg" data-media-id="editor_2" data-image-id="20231102051124_5d6066f9053da401b6f25abafba52a7aeee8968d161458bede9734cc106d654e" data-rendition-name="original" width="2250" height="1604" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu 2023"> </figure>  The Cadenza Collective, headed by the drummer and composer Navin Chettri, is one of the most unique and eclectic bands to emerge from Kathmandu. The group moves seamlessly across jazz, afro-funk, and Nepali folk music, creating a genre-bending sound that’s irresistible to the ears. The Cadenza Collective is joined by the Australian saxophonist and composer Nick Aggs. Hailing from Brisbane, and a key member of the acclaimed Australian fusion band Afro Dizzi Act, Aggs has fronted numerous musical ensembles and performed around the world, collaborating with esteemed musicians such as percussionist Trilok Gurtu, guitarist Jesse Van Ruller, kora virtuoso Jali Buba Kuyateh and many others. The Cadenza Collective already has seven albums of original music to its name—the latest is Himalayan Songlines—and is working on a new single due out soon after Jazzmandu.&nbsp; Navin Chettri – Drums, percussion and vocals | Nick Aggs – Saxophone Rajat Rai – Guitar | Samir Chettri – Bass <h2>Himalayan Highway (Nepal)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231102051124_e0b2a85c0c6afd8ceb8f231dfbe55658df451fc7f5fbac8642338e616de41c84.jpg" data-media-id="editor_3" data-image-id="20231102051124_e0b2a85c0c6afd8ceb8f231dfbe55658df451fc7f5fbac8642338e616de41c84" data-rendition-name="original" width="1944" height="2520" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu 2023"> </figure>  A Nepali-American instrumental fusion band formed in Kathmandu, Himalayan Highway weaves together American Bluegrass and old-time Nepali folk music. Inspired by unexpected similarities in the two traditions, the band’s members put a fresh spin on traditional tunes, with infectious harmonies and catchy beats that bring a unique new collaboration to the global music scene.&nbsp; Prince Nepali – Sarangi | Zoe Levitt – Mandolin Anish Tamang – Guitar | Yuson Maharjan – Percussion&nbsp; <h2>Palouse Forro (USA)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231102051124_f9a2414e455e976e959abe5792e04f59d3880f68b8da7c15afdd12787dcdc03d.jpg" data-media-id="editor_4" data-image-id="20231102051124_f9a2414e455e976e959abe5792e04f59d3880f68b8da7c15afdd12787dcdc03d" data-rendition-name="original" width="2250" height="1457" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu 2023"> </figure>  Drawing its name from its home base in the Palouse region of the northwestern United States and the forró music of northeastern Brazil, the Palouse Forró brings to the world a much-beloved Brazilian genre that is yet to get its international due. The band is led by American accordion player Adrian Crookston, who has played with forró ensembles such as Gente Boa, Xaxado Mission, and Forró de Quintal, and has taken his music to audiences across the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. Adrian Crookston – Accordion and vocals Navin Chettri – Drums | Rajat Rai – Guitar <h2>Under the Surface (Netherlands)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231102051124_616277fbf48f67c8354e88742a3fc72079bf40d7e6e0b11d7c7b92d7aa48f861.jpg" data-media-id="editor_5" data-image-id="20231102051124_616277fbf48f67c8354e88742a3fc72079bf40d7e6e0b11d7c7b92d7aa48f861" data-rendition-name="original" width="2250" height="2812" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu 2023"> </figure>  Under the Surface is an extraordinary combination of three generations of Dutch musicians seeking communion in improvisation. Sanne Rambag’s voice rhymes, whispers and sings over the melodic lines of Bram Stadhouders’ guitar and the subtle percussion style of Joost Lijbaart, transporting listeners into an almost dreamlike new reality. Their music offers both intellectual and emotional pleasure, springing from unshackled improvisation yet far from abstract, adopting surprising forms akin to thoughtful composition. Their eponymous debut album, released to great acclaim in 2017, was nominated for the Edison, an annual Dutch award for outstanding musical achievement. The group’s live album Trinity, from 2019, captures the essence of a sound they have shared with audiences at major festivals across Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East.&nbsp; Joost Lijbaart – Drums and percussion | Sanne Rambags – Vocals Bram Stadhouders – Guitar and electronics <h2>Samundra Band (Nepal)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231102051124_32a9090130f97fabf3d9d2a4aa39ce9380183e111f19a6a24933c1c523155cd1.jpg" data-media-id="editor_6" data-image-id="20231102051124_32a9090130f97fabf3d9d2a4aa39ce9380183e111f19a6a24933c1c523155cd1" data-rendition-name="original" width="2250" height="1776" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu 2023"> </figure>  Formed in 2004, Samundra celebrates and safeguards the Gandharba community’s long tradition of performing Nepali folk music. Holding firm to typical folk instruments, the ensemble plays age-old Nepali tunes recomposed in new forms, updating cherished old music for contemporary tastes. Anil Gandharba – sarangi | Subash Gandharba – bansuri Pujan Gandharba – madal | Ramkrishna Gandharba – arbajo Buddha Gandharba – kartal <h2>Eastern Classical Musicians (Nepal)</h2>  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231102051124_1994ff06190b57547f1dd5618c06657fcc120f763295fe77e1c6f93ed4950e47.jpg" data-media-id="editor_7" data-image-id="20231102051124_1994ff06190b57547f1dd5618c06657fcc120f763295fe77e1c6f93ed4950e47" data-rendition-name="original" width="2250" height="1260" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu 2023"> </figure>  Jonisha Poudel – Vocals As a gifted exponent of khayal, the preeminent genre of Hindustani classical music, Jonisha Poudel has already made a deep mark at a young age. Trained under the guidance of Shree K.C., one of Nepal’s most respected khayal and dhrupad vocalists, she has won multiple honours and performed at many prestigious classical music festivals.&nbsp; Santosh Bhakta – Ishraj Santosh Bhakta Shrestha has dedicated himself to the ishraj for two and a half decades and has achieved tremendous mastery of this classical instrument. A pupil of Mohan Joshi, Shrestha has performed and toured in Nepal and abroad and has contributed to hundreds of recordings. Dhan Bahadur Gurung – Flute Dhan Bahadur Gurung began his training in the flute at the Kalanidhi School of Music – the same school where he is a teacher today. He has honed his skill with the legendary Ustaad Hariprasad Chaurasia and was selected as the best &nbsp;flautist in the Shastriya Sangeet Samiti competition in 2008. <h2>SCHEDULE</h2> Concert for Students Thursday, 2 November 11am-1:30pm Venue: St. Xaviers School, Jawlakhel Entry by invitation only. &nbsp; Grooving at Upstairs Thursday, 2 November 7pm-9pm Venue: Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat Rs900 Gates open at 6:30pm Valley Jams Friday, 3 November 7pm-9pm Rs700 Gates open at 6:30pm and close at 7pm. Venues: Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat Electric Pagoda, Thamel Evoke, Jhamsikhel EDN, Sanepa Jazz Bazaar Date: Saturday, 4 November Time: 3pm-10pm Venue: Gokarna Forest Resort Price: Rs1,500 Gates open 2pm and close at 7pm. &nbsp; Sounds Of Latin Jazz Monday, 6 November 7pm-9pm Venue: Mulchok, Baber Mahal Revisited Rs1,800 Gates open at 6pm and close at 8pm. Masterclasses Tuesday, 7 November 11am-1:30pm Venues: The Music Room, Bhatbhateni Yalamaya Kendra, Patan Dhoka FREE ENTRY (limited seating) &nbsp; Jazz At Patan Tuesday, 7 November 7pm-9pm Venue: Yalamaya Kendra, Patan Dhoka Rs1,800 Gates open at 6:30pm and close at 8pm. Seated by 6:45pm. Jazzmandu Finale Wednesday, 8 November 5:30pm-10pm Venue: Hotel Yak &amp; Yeti, Darbar Marg Rs1,500 Gates open at 4:30pm and close at 8pm.

Just Jazz in Kathmandu

Many of us former Nepal Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs) would agree that our time in Nepal changed in significant but very different ways our perspectives on life if not the future paths we chose to follow. Of no one was this truer than Dorothy Mierow. Dorothy was born in 1920, in Colorado Springs. Her father Charles C Mierow was a classics scholar and Latin professor, who served for ten years as president of Colorado College.&nbsp; Dorothy developed an interest in animals as a child, graduated with a BA degree in natural history from Carlton College in 1942, a Master’s in biology from the University of Pittsburgh, and another Master’s in geography from the University of Minnesota.&nbsp; As a young woman, Dorothy traveled with her father throughout Europe, including a visit to ancient Greek ruins, and took a Magellan Tour by cruise ship around the world in 1958.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/2025071901074_0bad133ab22aada319e74bbad95d563e191371db291c08f373839fbd15440262.jpg" data-media-id="editor_0" data-image-id="2025071901074_0bad133ab22aada319e74bbad95d563e191371db291c08f373839fbd15440262" data-rendition-name="original" width="903" height="1178" loading="lazy" alt="How the Peace Corps changed a volunteer's life"> <figcaption>HOME AWAY FROM HOME: Dorothy Mierow as a college student in her native Colorado.</figcaption> </figure>  She was a college teacher during much of the 1940s, also teaching at a girls’ school in Hawaii. Then back to her native Colorado in 1953, where she became a curator and later director of the Colorado College Natural History Museum. She taught geography classes, and in her free time, Dorothy climbed 22 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks. Traveling in India in 1960, Dorothy decided to spend two weeks in Nepal. In late 1961, she filled out an application to join the Peace Corps and specified that she wanted to go to Nepal, ‘because I admired the people so much when my father and I were there on our trip’.&nbsp; Dorothy reached Kathmandu in September 1962 as the first group of American Peace Corps volunteers in Nepal. She stood out from the others: one of the few women in that group, surely the oldest at age 41, a world traveler, and a woman who already had established a professional career.&nbsp; One doubts if Dorothy had had a husband and children whether she would ever have gone to work and spend much of the rest of her life in Nepal.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/2025071901078_68e84ade1ffb0f6c83c7f8fa5c1e7315b5f6c543217f96cde012e4d86f171515.jpg" data-media-id="editor_1" data-image-id="2025071901078_68e84ade1ffb0f6c83c7f8fa5c1e7315b5f6c543217f96cde012e4d86f171515" data-rendition-name="original" width="1259" height="910" loading="lazy" alt="How th Peace Corps changed a volunteer's life NT"> <figcaption>Pokhara Bazar in 1962.</figcaption> </figure>  The Peace Corps assigned Dorothy to teach geography at Tri-Chandra College. After the school closed in the winter due to lack of heating, USAID and the College of Education asked Dorothy to help train general science teachers.&nbsp; She taught for two months and became involved in a textbook-writing project, commenting: ‘I would like the children to know something about public health, conservation (the trees are going fast and so is the soil), and learn the names of some of their common birds, trees, and flowers. They are more impressed with electricity, airplanes, and cell structure.’ When a new college opened in Pokhara in 1963, Dorothy was transferred there and lived with a Nepali family. The college boasted 30 students and no permanent buildings.&nbsp; In October 1963, Dorothy wrote: ‘Pokhara is a town of almost 5,000 people … We are in a fertile valley surrounded by foothills … There is a small Mission Hospital … a Leper Hospital and Tibetan Refugee Camp started by the Red Cross and now run by the Swiss. With winter approaching, more Tibetans are appearing in town, often with pack horses or donkeys. Some have been carrying large boxes of powdered milk,donated (by USAID) to the camp from the airport … There is no electricity, and the transportation problems make many items scarce and expensive. I am really a sort of a museum. The landlord brings all kinds of people in to see how I live and count my shoes and dresses. They express amazement at my books, pictures, tin oven, Nepali dolls from Kathmandu, screened food shelves and curtained closet.’ The standard term for Peace Corps volunteers was two years, but Dorothy extended her term and was still at Prithvi Narayan College at the end of 1965, when she wrote that she had 20 Geography students in the first-year class and 6 in the second year preparing for the IA Examination. The college enrollment was 125 students, and the foundation for a new science building was being excavated.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/2025071901074_c6a80e5e0db0c705b2f8733c6d30dc0386fe3abbd2238ea9d947b7d746f94a29.jpg" data-media-id="editor_2" data-image-id="2025071901074_c6a80e5e0db0c705b2f8733c6d30dc0386fe3abbd2238ea9d947b7d746f94a29" data-rendition-name="original" width="902" height="605" loading="lazy" alt="How the Peace Corps changed a volunteer's life"> <figcaption>Mierow and friends at Phewa Lake.</figcaption> </figure>  Dorothy noted that she ate one meal a day at the (Shining Mission) Hospital but otherwise lived on dal-bhat, momo, and potato curry at local shops. However, she had developed a new passion: to build what she initially called the Pokhara Museum of the Himalaya. In commendable Peace Corps fashion, Dorothy always worked with Nepalis and respected the culture. ‘The greatest joy and satisfaction I have had has been from the building of a Museum-Library in memory of my parents … It has been possible to feel like a wealthy benefactor with the money saved by father for the family’s education and now available for the education of others… (Father) would have loved to be in on the founding of a new college and be able to plan a library. Several hundred of the books to be in the museum-library came from his collection and were carefully selected to be of use for students in Nepal…’&nbsp; ‘The museum part is to satisfy my own inclinations and was thought of when I found how little diversion there was for the people of Pokhara… It is part of the University requirements for the college that it should have a geography and biology museum. The museum building is small but adequate.&nbsp; I have tried to design it in harmony with Nepalese architecture and decorate it with some of the art of the best artists or woodcarvers… Posts holding up the porch roof are carved by Cottage Industries to represent different peoples of Nepal in typical costumes. The door was carved by a local wood carver and has typical birds of Nepal around it. Inside are 10 roof-support carvings designed by the retired Director of the National Museum in Kathmandu, Mr. C.M. Maskey.&nbsp; They were carved by the best wood carvers in Patan very skilfully. The building has three rooms: the library, the exhibition room, and a smaller workroom which can be used by our newly formed Woman’s Club as well as other groups or classes.’  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/2025071901074_03d3359c65389d30a0134e9a4862778994121e7e833b7d28b18e06e36fc76ff8.jpg" data-media-id="editor_3" data-image-id="2025071901074_03d3359c65389d30a0134e9a4862778994121e7e833b7d28b18e06e36fc76ff8" data-rendition-name="original" width="629" height="599" loading="lazy" alt="How the Peace Corps changed a volunteer's life"> <figcaption>Mierow with local women in Pokhara in 1969.</figcaption> </figure>  Dorothy promoted her project to influential Nepalis connected with organisations whose support she solicited: The Department of Archaeology, the Department of Agriculture, the Godavari Botanical Gardens; Tribhuvan University’s Science and Education Department, Nature Conservation Society.&nbsp; The museum was opened officially in early 1967. The Annapurna Natural History Museum, the building Dorothy designed and had constructed, is still open and features some exhibits which she created many years ago.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/2025071901074_54326a8a0685e980e782378076de2f5cd02d2426e9b0d94eed972d3dbe83af26.jpg" data-media-id="editor_4" data-image-id="2025071901074_54326a8a0685e980e782378076de2f5cd02d2426e9b0d94eed972d3dbe83af26" data-rendition-name="original" width="1333" height="1000" loading="lazy" alt="How the Peace Corps changed a volunteer's life"> <figcaption>The Annapurna Natural History Museum.</figcaption> </figure>  Dorothy returned to America in 1967, but she longed for Nepal. In the spring of 1969, she again tried to enroll as a Peace Corps volunteer but was told that as she had spent more than four years, she would not be eligible for another assignment. Undeterred, she persuaded the college in Pokhara to invite her to return as a teacher.&nbsp; UNICEF and the Forestry Department sponsored Dorothy to prepare charts on trees, birds, animals and flowers in colour for distribution to the schools of Nepal. Dorothy, back in the Peace Corps, returned to Pokhara and the Museum in 1972. She formed a friendship with her former geography student from Sikles, Chandra Prasad Gurung, and in 1974, she brought Chandra to America, where he enrolled in Colorado College and studied cultural anthropology.&nbsp; Chandra subsequently earned his PhD in geography from the University of Hawaii and returned to Pokhara to become director of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Gurung actively promoted ecotourism, landscape conservation, and biodiversity conservation in Nepal. His life was cut short along with those of 23 other Nepalis and foreigners who perished in a helicopter crash near Taplejung in September 2006.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/2025071901074_322d3c3ac6f1b08ffa07c44a19998b937a7db9eb43527f7539cf6481e1546314.jpg" data-media-id="editor_5" data-image-id="2025071901074_322d3c3ac6f1b08ffa07c44a19998b937a7db9eb43527f7539cf6481e1546314" data-rendition-name="original" width="2500" height="1000" loading="lazy" alt="How the Peace Corps changed a volunteer's life"> <figcaption>Mierow's four books on Nepal and its biodiversity. </figcaption> </figure>  Dorothy worked with several well-known Nepalis to publish her paintings and photos in beautifully illustrated books. She and Hemanta Mishra of the National Parks and Wildlife Service wrote Wild Animals of Nepal (Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 1976). More than 400 photos Dorothy took on treks to the Everest region, Gosaikunda, Muktinath, Jumla and Rara Lake, as well as travels in the Tarai, appeared in Himalayan Flowers and Trees (Sahayogi Prakashan, 1978).&nbsp; The botanist Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha identified the species. Dorothy and Kesar Lall published This Beautiful Nepal (Sahayogi Press, 1981). Birds of the Central Himalayas (1988) contained Dorothy’s paintings of 250 species of birds found along the areas of the Kali Gandaki River, Pokhara, Chitwan and the central Tarai. Dorothy summed up her life and work in Nepal in Thirty Years in Pokhara (Pilgrims Book House, 1997). Dorothy returned to Pokhara and her adopted Gurung family several times during the 1980s and 1990s to celebrate festivals and meet old friends. Her final years were spent at her mountain cottage in Green Mountain Falls north of Colorado Springs. She died at the age of 79 in August, 2000. Nepal gave new meaning and purpose to Dorothy Mierow’s life. Daniel W Edwards was a Peace Corps volunteer in 1966 and is the author of several books on Nepal. The author thanks Special Collections, Tutt Library, Colorado College.

How the Peace Corps changed a volunteer’s life

· On the night of 15 May, two glacial lakes burst in Tharka in Humla and the debris flow washed away homes and bridges.&nbsp; · Last week, a slurry surge on the Kali Gandaki in Upper Mustang caused at least Rs15 million in damage, and was traced to a melting glacier. · Dozens are feared dead after <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/rasuwa-flood-likely-a-glof">an expanding glacial lake in Tibet overflowed</a>, sweeping down into Nepal and damaging four hydropower plants generating 230MW, nearly 8% of the country’s total grid supply.&nbsp;  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20250718060748_45225dc707c1e9c2968ca8dbf6e564e01e4eb6e2ff254fb8eb940cf62cdd910b.jpg" data-media-id="editor_1" data-image-id="20250718060748_45225dc707c1e9c2968ca8dbf6e564e01e4eb6e2ff254fb8eb940cf62cdd910b" data-rendition-name="original" width="2667" height="1500" loading="lazy" alt="Rasuwa flood"> <figcaption>Miteri friendship bridge connecting Nepal and China was swept away in the Rasuwa flood. Photo: PRAKASH CHANDRA TIMILSENA / NPL</figcaption> </figure>  And those are just in the past month. Climate scientists say Himalayan glacial lake outbursts are becoming more frequent and destructive, and a warning for Nepal not to put all its eggs in the hydropower basket.&nbsp; <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/editorial/when-it-rains-it-pours-ksqprbu3">Record precipitation last September</a> unleashed floods that killed 200 people, and temporarily slashed Nepal’s total generation capacity of 3,000MW by nearly half. The <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/nepal-valley-suffers-quadruple-disaster">Melamchi flood of 2021</a> caused by <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/multimedia/the-not-so-permanent-frost">permafrost melting</a> on a glacier upstream nearly destroyed a $800 million water supply scheme, Nepal’s largest infrastructure project which four years later still has not resumed full operation. The <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/sikkim-flood-is-warning-to-nepal">glacial lake overflow in Sikkim</a> caused by record rainfall in September 2023 that destroyed the $1.2 billion Chungthung Dam and caused catastrophic damage to infrastructure on the Teesta River. This was a warning to the cascade of hydropower plants on the Arun and Marsyangdi river basins.&nbsp;  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20250718060736_6f61797a6be308321e3bae26e55d2f64cba4b9e5eb262adacb9e92fb5f3c6152.jpg" data-media-id="editor_6" data-image-id="20250718060736_6f61797a6be308321e3bae26e55d2f64cba4b9e5eb262adacb9e92fb5f3c6152" data-rendition-name="original" width="919" height="549" loading="lazy" alt="hydro disasters and hydropower plants"> </figure>  Nepal has set a target of generating an additional 28,500MW by 2035 -- out of the feasible 48,000MW -- but how viable is an energy strategy that is exposed to heightened risk due to climate breakdown? &nbsp; “As extreme weather events increase, we must design and build infrastructures respecting river flow and topography,” says former Energy Secretary Dwarika Nath Dhungel. “We must make the best use of our water resources, but not by letting excavators loose everywhere mining riverbeds and building haphazardly where we shouldn’t.”&nbsp; Although no project can be disaster-proof, <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/climate-smarter-himalayan-infrastructure">climate smart design</a> can minimise damage from flash floods and landslides. Recent disasters have driven up insurance premiums for energy projects in Nepal, and smaller ones cannot even afford them. The 456MW Upper Tamakosi hydroelectric project which is still not fully functional after the September floods has claimed insurance worth Rs1.8 billion. The alternative to high risk high investment hydropower projects is <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/what-s-cooking-in-nepal-besides-politics">energy diversification</a> to other renewables such as solar, wind or biogas. Nepal gets annual sunlight of 300 days with 6-7 hours on average to total 50,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year.&nbsp;  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20250718060744_4acd452b4117180ca9bb5d3be839ff46dfd5464e4d507f5ad3704cef6253bc48.jpg" data-media-id="editor_9" data-image-id="20250718060744_4acd452b4117180ca9bb5d3be839ff46dfd5464e4d507f5ad3704cef6253bc48" data-rendition-name="original" width="1080" height="720" loading="lazy" alt="solar power"> <figcaption>Farmers in Tarai using solar powered water pump. Photo: GHAMPOWER</figcaption> </figure>  The Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment (SWERA) calculates that Nepal could source 3,000MW from wind energy alone, considering 10% of the area with more than 300W/m2 wind power density. <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/opinion/people-power/decentralising-power-in-nepal">Solar energy</a> stations are cheaper and quicker to build, and would be an ideal alternative to reliance on hydropower.&nbsp; “There has been some investment in solar power, especially from the state sector,” says water expert Madhukar Upadhyay. “But there is an issue of land acquisition since the arrays need a lot of space. It is comparatively easier to get a permit to put up a hydropower plant on a river.” As for biogas, there is simply no incentive to build on past success with household level plants to <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/more-bullshit">promote industrial-scale production</a>. Scaling up biogas by integrating it with urban biodegradable waste would still be a viable alternative to LPG.&nbsp;  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20250718060744_715d44afd5eb4ba8dafa209b0ad0f19400665797b5f078f5636821e600f96684.jpg" data-media-id="editor_12" data-image-id="20250718060744_715d44afd5eb4ba8dafa209b0ad0f19400665797b5f078f5636821e600f96684" data-rendition-name="original" width="1419" height="954" loading="lazy" alt="windmill"> <figcaption>A wind mill in Hapsikot in Nawalpur. Photo: WINPOWER NEPAL</figcaption> </figure>  Nepal’s public sphere is buzzing with excitement over the discovery of potentially 430 billion cubic metres of methane gas beneath Dailekh district that, if properly harnessed, would meet the country’s energy demand for the next 50 years. Even though a feasibility study is awaited, politicians from the prime minister down see this as a petro bonanza that will make Nepal rich. But drilling, storage and distribution of CNG in the country’s current kleptocratic state make that unlikely. If Nepal was to get rich solely on its hydro-energy potential, it could have done so in the past 50 years. Says Dhungel: “This is not exactly a new discovery, but it is premature to celebrate until its extraction is proven to be cost effective. And let us hope it does not get <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/balance-of-power">tangled in geopolitics</a>, since China is involved in the prospecting and drilling, which could make India uneasy.”&nbsp; The country suffers from the Dutch Disease curse even before its resource is fully exploited. And the same cronyism, corruption and rent-seeking structure cannot deliver the riches we expect from Dailekh’s methane discovery. Now, <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/right-climate-for-nepal-s-energy-transition">with hydropower in jeopardy</a>, Nepal’s planners will have to evolve a new strategy for energy security into the future. But first, governance needs to be cleaned up with long-term strategic planning that takes climate risk into account. For example, do we need to mine fossil gas when there are renewable options? Will Dailekh take Nepal away from its climate commitments? Says Madhukar Upadhyay: “Nepal has always been resource rich and management poor. And the larger the resource, the bigger our management incapacity. It is a societal malaise.”&nbsp;

Nepal’s Resource Curse

चौतारा rest stops have long been an integral part of scenic touristic town of <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/pokhara-six-decades-ago">Pokhara </a>but are now rarely seen as the city bursts at the seams. They say inhabitants of Pokhara saw a plane before they saw cars. Indeed, the grass airfield was built in the 1950s, while the Kathmandu highway 20 years later. Before roads, people walked to get around, pausing to rest or even nap under the shade of banyan-pipal trees. <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/pokhara-s-desperation-and-hope">Pokhara airport’</a>s ‘terminal’ in those days was a shady chautara where passengers waited for their flights. The chautara bore silent witness to daily life, whether it was travellers seeking a brief respite from the summer heat or villagers gathering for a chat in the mornings and evenings. But with the roads came vehicles, and then houses started filling up spaces, even farmlands. Pokhara began transforming from a serene village to a <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/pokhara-comes-alive-at-night">bustling city</a>.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20250719010724_d101fa482441ce67afdf5bc4e4547b334e7662c1cf0a20e9d31a0e8dff66f04b.jpg" data-media-id="editor_3" data-image-id="20250719010724_d101fa482441ce67afdf5bc4e4547b334e7662c1cf0a20e9d31a0e8dff66f04b" data-rendition-name="original" width="2147" height="1581" loading="lazy" alt="Trees of life and living NT"> <figcaption>Photo: DURGA RANA MAGAR</figcaption> </figure>  The banyan-pipal trees were chopped down to make way for wider intersections and buildings. The once-iconic rest stops that carried Pokhara’s identity had all but vanished. “Building chautara was once considered a religious duty, which is why so many of them were constructed across Pokhara,” says archivist Sunil Ulak. <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=10927">Ekai Kawaguchi</a>, a Japanese Buddhist monk, who visited Nepal 120 years ago en route to Tibet, documented <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/no-visitors-in-pokhara-to-admire-view">the landscape of Pokhara</a> and its surroundings. In his book, Three Years in Tibet, he reflects on the natural beauty of the town and its shady trees. A chautara used to be surrounded by ponds, where shepherds would bring their cattle to drink from while they took a nap under the shade. The gentle rustling of leaves in the cool breeze lent a soothing melody as did the chirping of birds, while the insects took refuge in the branches and leaves. Read also: <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/pokhara-800-years-ago">Pokhara 800 years ago</a>, Kunda Dixit This ‘nature’s breeze’, as botanist Kalyan Panta puts it, is now history due to <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/cost-of-living-in-a-big-city">haphazard urbanisation</a>. “When the wind strikes against one leaf, it creates a domino effect and other leaves start waving as well,” he explains. There were 632 chautara in the city until 1977, and by 2000 the number had fallen to 278. But in some wards the number of trees fell from 55 in 1984 to only five now.&nbsp; The gradual loss of these resting places has meant habitat <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/between-existence-and-extinction-in-nepal">destruction of birds and insects</a>, it has also damaged the environment and natural beauty of the city.&nbsp; Researcher Jagannath Adhikari’s study showed that infrastructure projects ignored the environment, and concluded that that urbanisation in Pokhara was unsustainable.&nbsp; The destruction continues to this day. Recently, old chaurata in wards 6, 13 and 14 were cleared to make way for a sacrificial ritual. In fact, ward 6 got a permit from the local government to clear its remaining trees.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20250719010724_cee1d4faf8376e7ba18b9c7012ea4215b7c3fbf7e0983b0c97005df5567d6de0.jpg" data-media-id="editor_9" data-image-id="20250719010724_cee1d4faf8376e7ba18b9c7012ea4215b7c3fbf7e0983b0c97005df5567d6de0" data-rendition-name="original" width="1500" height="1000" loading="lazy" alt="Trees of life and living NT"> <figcaption>Photo: DURGA RANA MAGAR</figcaption> </figure>  But in wards 13 and 14, the Human Service Foundation cut down some 33 trees for which it is in a dispute with the metropolitan city as there is no unclear jurisdiction regarding who gives the permit. The Kaski Division Forest Office is currently investigating the matter. Elsewhere in ward 19, the ward office had launched ‘मेरो रूख, म काट्छु’ campaign due to an alleged chaos caused by monkeys in the area. The decision was rescinded after an all-around opposition.&nbsp; To be sure, there are policies in place to protect trees such as the Gandaki Province Forestry Act, 2080, and the Regulations, 2081. The province government also introduced an act in 2019 per which no tree, including pipal, silk cotton and other <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/opinion/suburban-tales/trees-trees?%2F">trees of natural and historical importance</a> shall be damaged, eroded or removed. But the local government, responsible for implementing the Act, is doing the opposite. “If this rapid rate of tree felling continues, neither trees nor chautara will survive for the future generation,” conservationist Ram Bahadur Poudel tells us, adding that old trees are being cleared under the pretext of pruning branches. Interestingly, Ulak notes that Pokhara-8 was called सिमलचौर in the past because there were so many majestic silk cotton trees, but there are very few left, if any, and hence altering the identity of a place. With modernisation, people have questioned the significance of chautara in this day and age. But they still have relevance. Urban centres in Pokhara and Kathmandu are much hotter than the outskirts because of the <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/in-the-heat-of-the-moment-5xcycyot">urban heat island effect</a>. Says archivist Ulak: “While their original purpose was to provide rest, today they continue to play a crucial role in regulating temperature, beautifying the city, and preserving our environment.”

Trees of life and living

Nepalis are living longer than ever. By 2028, the country is set to join the ranks of other <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/nepals-demographic-window-is-closing">ageing societies</a> around the world, and by 2054, 1 out of every 7 people in Nepal will be over 65. Life expectancy at birth has risen dramatically from just 55 in 1990 to 71 today, &nbsp;thanks to improvements in public health and access. But as more people live longer, the country must also prepare for a parallel rise in age-related illnesses and the complex social and medical needs that come with an <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/need-to-prepare-for-ageing-society,3624">ageing population</a>. Extended families have always acted as a safety net for <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/home-sweet-home-for-older-nepalis">the elderly</a>, with children and grandchildren shouldering most caregiving duties. But with more than 1,600 <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/migration-not-a-wish-but-necessity-for-nepalis">Nepalis migrating </a>every day, older parents are left behind with no one to care for them. <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/editorial/the-new-equaliser">Remittances</a> from migrating youth, which account for nearly a third of Nepal’s GDP, have kept the economy afloat. But money sent home cannot make up for the chronic departure of kin and caregivers, who are often the first to catch the signs and symptoms of disease in elders. In rural areas where over 85% of Nepal’s elderly live, the absence of this daily vigilance means early signs of illness often go unnoticed until they become debilitating. As a result, chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and depression are left unmanaged.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20250720130748_213f2c65f2638872e9ac0550a7ac251e4960c3726dc5c76215962a23ba71dff1.jpg" data-media-id="editor_5" data-image-id="20250720130748_213f2c65f2638872e9ac0550a7ac251e4960c3726dc5c76215962a23ba71dff1" data-rendition-name="original" width="1064" height="701" loading="lazy" alt="Smart ageing is Nepal’s next frontier"> </figure>  Geriatric medicine is largely absent from medical curricula and there is no national plan in place to manage cognitive decline, memory loss and confusion. These are often mistaken for signs of normal ageing, instead of <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/nation/dementia-brings-new-problem-that-families-have-little%20knowledge-of,2151">dementia</a>, delaying care until it is too late. The same pattern plays out with strokes, osteoarthritis, and vision problems — conditions that could be managed early but are instead allowed to spiral into <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/opinion/comment/changing-disability-to-this-ability-h68f6sq2">disability</a>. Nepal is not ready for an older future. It needs a strategy for ‘smart ageing’ where the focus is not adding years to life, but enhancing years lived through the intelligent application of policy, infrastructure, and crucially, <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/opinion/comment/tech-and-transition-in-nepal">technology</a>. Many models of smart ageing, however, are sculpted around modern societies where independent living in later life is the norm. Furthermore, eroding traditional family care and an underdeveloped formal care system means there is a large gap that can’t simply be filled by copy-pasting from foreign models. Nepal must shape its own version of smart ageing. The <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/healthcare-moving-from-hospitals-to-homes?%2F">tech boom</a> has led to homegrown digital healthcare apps such as Hamro Doctor, Cura Health, Jeevee and Health Yaad Ayo which offer teleconsultations, online appointments, and at-home test bookings. As <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/review/nepal-s-new-digital-landscape">smartphones and internet access</a> extend to the most rural fringes of the Nepali countryside, geography is no longer a barrier to the use of these digital tools. What limits their use is the lack of digital proficiency among the older generation. Others find the idea of turning to a device instead of a familiar, reassuring face unfathomable. That is why <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/opinion/addressing-nepals-digital-divide?ref=blog.togglecorp.com">digital literacy</a> efforts must be paired with guided human support to build trust alongside technical skill. Such a model of community-led digital mediation is already gaining traction elsewhere. In the UK, ‘digital health ambassadors’—often young people or even schoolchildren—are trained to co-design and advocate for online platforms that resonate with peers who might otherwise feel excluded from automated health services. A Nepali version could engage cohorts of nursing students, tech-savvy youngsters and returnee migrants to assist elders in navigating digital health platforms and troubleshooting problems, and most of all, normalising the idea of health apps being a reliable recourse.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20250720130748_fcb94ab76e76b5574189757e88d76fccad4e115e78dd9eae92a3bd4c882c3431.png" data-media-id="editor_12" data-image-id="20250720130748_fcb94ab76e76b5574189757e88d76fccad4e115e78dd9eae92a3bd4c882c3431" data-rendition-name="original" width="2246" height="1590" loading="lazy" alt="Smart ageing is Nepal’s next frontier"> </figure>  Nepal’s own network of Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), whose credibility is rooted in long-standing relationships across rural communities, could be similarly upskilled, their roles in <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/target-2030-for-maternal-and-newborn-health">maternal and child health </a>expanded and repurposed to also include geriatric tech support. However, there is a limit to how much older adults can adapt to new technologies. So, Nepal should simultaneously invest in passive technologies—tools that monitor and act for the elderly, instead of demanding active use. That is where wearables and in-home smart health devices collectively known as 'gerontechnology' come in. Picture an 82-year-old in far-flung Rolpa, away from the facilities of an urban hospital. Installed in her home are low-cost motion sensors that monitor prolonged inactivity or signs of a fall, instantly triggering alerts to the nearest health post when necessary. On her wrist, a wearable bracelet continuously tracks her sleep, vital signs, oxygen saturation, and glucose levels. This data is encrypted and synced to a digital dashboard accessible by health staff at the local post. If the system flags an acute risk—such as a potential stroke or hypoglycemia—a nearby health worker is dispatched immediately to her home. If her readings over time indicate a trend toward a <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/news/why-do-so-many-nepalis-have-high-blood-pressure">chronic condition</a> like diabetes, community health volunteers step in. They help schedule a virtual consultation with an endocrinologist in Butwal. Based on the advice received, she gets a prescription and picks up her medication from the local community pharmacy, along with a smart dispenser to ensure she sticks to her treatment plan without missing doses. This is not as far-fetched as it may sound. Many of the individual devices forming this connected medical system called an Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) already exist in Nepal as imported commercial products. What is missing is a stronger framework for <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/business/public-health-partnership">public-private collaboration</a>: one where health tech companies continue developing locally adapted tools, and the government actively integrates these innovations into public health delivery. <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/opinion/people-power/nepal-as-an-ai-power-bank">Nepal’s tech ecosystem</a> is maturing, but policymaking must evolve in tandem, especially when it affects an older generation largely resistant to change. The backlash against the recent mandate requiring National Identity Cards for accessing social security benefits revealed the pitfalls of imposing top-down reforms without adequate preparation or support for seniors. For Nepalis to age well, community caregivers, doctors, innovators, and above all, the state, must step in where families have stepped away. The goal is not to replicate traditional care, but to build a coordinated system of support that connects everyone through technology. The future is older for Nepal, let us be wiser too. The writers are pursuing their undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

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