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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Are we building roads, or just breaking mountains?

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A transfer to Bajhang, a remote mountainous district in Nepal, transformed Shiva Sandesh's perception of his own country, revealing its diverse geographies beyond his familiar plains.
  • Sandesh experienced the natural beauty and spiritual peace of Bajhang, realizing that understanding Nepal requires exploring its mountains, rivers, and forests, not just one's own region.
  • While Bajhang faces challenges like poverty and environmental strain, it also possesses immense natural and cultural wealth, highlighting the importance of outsider perspectives in appreciating a place's true value.

Shiva Sandesh's transfer from the plains of Madhesh to the mountainous district of Bajhang initially filled him with apprehension. The distance from family, unfamiliar language, different lifestyle, and rugged terrain presented a stark contrast to his upbringing. However, upon arriving in Bajhang, his perspective began to shift dramatically.

Sandesh discovered that prolonged immersion in one's own region can create an 'echo chamber,' limiting one's understanding of the world. Experiencing the Saipal Himalaya up close, feeling the spiritual peace of Khaptad, and listening to the 'music of time' from the Seti River, he realized that Nepal's true essence lies in its diverse geographies. He learned that to truly understand the country, one must venture into its mountains, rivers, and forests.

By living in our own area for so long, we become trapped in a kind of echo chamber. We think the world is only as much as what is in front of our eyes. We never get the opportunity to see and understand other geographies.

— Shiva SandeshSandesh reflects on how his move to Bajhang broadened his perspective beyond his familiar surroundings.

Bajhang, often reported in the news for poverty, inaccessibility, and environmental issues, also harbors significant natural and cultural bounty. The region boasts the grandeur of Saipal, the spirituality of Khaptad, and the allure of the Seti River. It holds immense potential in medicinal herbs, agriculture, animal husbandry, and hydropower, alongside rich biodiversity and cultural diversity. Bajhang is noted for having the largest Himalayan land area above 5,000 meters.

Shiva's story underscores the value of an outsider's perspective in appreciating a place often defined by its struggles. His newfound wonder for Bajhang's beauty serves as a poignant reminder of the natural and cultural wealth that can be overlooked. Yet, this beauty is now threatened by soil erosion, displacement, climate change, and unscientific development, posing a critical question about preserving the very nature that makes the region so captivating.

I don’t know which corner of the country they have sent me to.

— Shiva SandeshSandesh's initial feeling upon being transferred to Bajhang due to his job.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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