Lead-laden noodles still being sold

Whether as snack or meal, noodles feature prominently in the diet of an overwhelming majority of Nepali people. To enhance their taste, noodles are invariably accompanied by seasoning powder, which has been found to be adulterated with traces of lead, a toxic heavy meal, flouting the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standard of 0.0025 mg/kg.

Campaigners breathe life into the long-neglected stone water spouts

Traditional stone water spouts, which were concealed under bushes and shrubs, are now being restored back to their former glory thanks to the relentless efforts of campaigners. Advocating the need for the preservation of such culturally significant structures since the last couple of years, these campaigners have been successful in their attempt to excavate hidden and neglected stone spouts (hitis) within the Kathmandu Valley.

Study finds Ayurvedic medicines laden with lead

Several cases of lead intoxication related with ayurvedic medicines have been reported in a host of countries, including Nepal. A report of a case study published in The Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (JFCC), showed that six of the seven widely used ayurvedic medicines have been found having inordinate amount of lead.

Cancer-causing baby powders continue circulating in the Nepali market

Baby powders, one of the most widely used cosmetics, are alleged to contain cancer-causing asbestos. Several investigations and scientific researches provide evidence after evidence that exposure to asbestos-tainted talcum powder may cause malignant mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer that affects tissues lining internal organs.

Migratory water bird number on decline

The number of migratory water birds at Taudaha Lake has been on the decline since last few years. However, dramatic fall in their numbers last year has raised the eyebrows of bird enthusiasts and conservationists alike. That fact came to light when Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), under the winter water bird census that began on January 2, counted the number of water birds at Taudaha on January 16. The annual nationwide census was held to determine the number of water birds, condition of their habitats...

Hanumandhoka’s four famous galleries to open soon

With the devastating 2015 Earthquake flattening a huge portion of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum, cultural enthusiasts and common people alike have long been deprived of visiting the historic monument. At long last, the palace has been built back from the rubbles and is ready to welcome the visitors. Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee has almost completed preparation to open three galleries: Mahendra, Birendra and Tribhuvan - of the museum. The museum galleries, which were partially...

Heritage rebuilding in Thapathali-Teku area in progress

Heritage monuments standing along the bank of the Bagmati River from Thapathali to Teku Dobhan are now being renovated and reconstructed under the Bagmati Beautification Project. Recently, renovation tasks are now in progress by dividing works into three phases. Around 27 heritage monuments are being rebuilt and renovated, making the area as the major reconstructing site of the Kathmandu Valley of late.

Lack of timber hampers heritage reconstruction

Work on the reconstruction of heritages in the Kathmandu Valley and all across the country has been hit by a shortage of timber. The government banned logging and transportation of timber on May 28, 2020, in order to effectively investigate alleged financial irregularities in timber sales, ensure transparency in the expenditure of community forest funds and control haphazard tree felling. But this has resulted in a shortage of wood, a key component for the renovation and reconstruction of historical...

150 heritage sites to be completed soon

The Department of Archaeology (DoA) is set to complete reconstruction works of 150 heritage sites and monuments within the current fiscal year. Out of the 920 heritage sites and monuments devastated by the 2015 earthquake, the archaeology department has reported completion of 465 structures, shrines and temples at the end of November 2020. In the current fiscal year, reconstruction work of 12 heritage sites has come to fruition while the procurement process for 120 monuments has been completed....

Book with records of lost and forgotten facts, heritages about Pashupatinath launched

Some culturally significant artefacts -- tangible and intangible -- in and around the Pashupatinath Temple have disappeared, while others are on the verge of collapse , because of various reasons, including financial constraints, modernisation and changing lifestyles, a newly launched book says. The sacred Hindu Temple is not only rich in artefacts, like shrines and idols, but is also an embodiment of the legacy of dozens of age-old festivals and rituals. After researching the temple’s abstract...