Aarati Captures – aaratikhatri.com.np

Biofencing in Sweden: A sustainable, natural alternative to wire fences

Aarati — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 04:24:29 +0000

During my time in Sweden for the LocoForest International Training, I had the chance to observe biofencing at Johnhopingf Park. Unlike in Nepal, where we mainly use wire fences, biofencing here involves using deformed logs as a natural barrier. The logs are arranged to create a fence that blends with the environment, providing a more sustainable and visually pleasing solution. In Nepal, wire fences can disrupt the landscape and harm the environment, while biofencing in Sweden seemed to work in harmony with nature, helping to preserve the land and supporting biodiversity. This approach made me think about how we could adapt similar methods in Nepal for more eco-friendly fencing options.

Common Jezebel soaring over Hemja’s green fields.

Aarati — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 04:11:46 +0000

Women at the Core of Forest Sustainability

Aarati — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:28:32 +0000

Women nurture nature so that it can persist for future generations.
Women connect with nature and are conscious of its power in many forms. One is to augment the family’s income while simultaneously providing for subsistence needs through the collection of forest products. Women spend more time than males harvesting forest products like fuel, food, and fodder as well as in conserving forest, water, and land resources especially in rural areas, to meet family needs, therefore they have a stronger bond with nature than men do.

However, it is still debatable whether women have an equal voice in decision-making when it comes to the sustainable use of land, water, and other natural resources as they often contribute as primary caregivers, land managers, and resource consumers.

Promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls can have a transformative impact on a wide range of sectors, including forestry, climate change mitigation, adaptation, ensuring food security and improved health outcomes.

This photograph was taken during the baseline field survey for the project Economic Empowerment of Women Through Forest Solutions, which is funded by IDRC, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and led by ForestAction Nepal ForestAction Nepal in consortium with HIMAWANTI Nepal, AFFON, and FenFIT.
#Womeninnatureconservation

Women’s Silent Struggles for Fodder, Reaching New Heights Everyday.

Aarati — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:25:51 +0000

In the remote hills of Nepal, women brave great risks, climbing towering trees to collect fodder for livestock. Their resilience and courage portrays the stories of rural life, where survival often demands extraordinary efforts. It’s a stark reminder of the critical role women play in sustaining households and the need for safer, sustainable solutions.

Location: Bhujel Village, Nepal

A Symphony of Peaks: Memories of Machhapuchhre, Pokhara, Nepal.

Aarati — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:25:27 +0000

If I have to recall my undergraduate journey at the Institute of Forestry, Pokhara, Nepal, the breathtaking Machhapuchhre mountain will always stand out among all the other memories. Having the mountain ranges around me 24/7 was my favorite part.Some days, Machhapuchhre appeared bare, its sharp silhouette cutting through the sky. Other days, it glowed red in the moonlight, leaving me in awe. With time, I watched it change—some days covered in fresh snow, and other times hidden completely under clouds.

It was a daily reminder to me that the Change is the only constant thing in this universe.

A Rhododendron of Hope in the Face of Discrimination.

Aarati — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:11:47 +0000

This is not an ordinary Rhododendron tree in the wheat field. This is a tree that holds immense hope of inclusivity for Ram Bishwakarma, who belongs to one of the marginalized communities, the Dalit of Nepal. On March, 2022, I worked as a research assistant for one of the master’s students at the University of Copenhagen in the GCAP area of Nepal. Ram was one of the household members in the survey, and here is what he has to say about this Rhododendron tree that was in the yard of his house.

हामीलाई दलित भनेर सबैले अपहेलना गर्छन्, हामी जन्मिदा खुशी हुने र मर्दा आसुको धारो बगाउने कोही पनि छैनन। हाम्रो घरको दैलोमा चाडपर्बमा रमाउन आउने कोही पनि हुँदैनन, तर थाहा छ , यो गुराशको रुख २० बर्षदेखी मेरो घरको दैलो अगाडि मुस्कुराइ रहेको छ, यो त झन नेपालकै राष्ट्रिय फुल, देशकै गौरव बोकेको फुल, खै यस्ले त हामीलाई अछुत भनेर कैले भेदभाव गरेन, यो अंकन्टार ठाउँमा झन चैत्र देखी जेष्ठ सम्म लतरम्म फुलेर मन नै आनन्दित बनाइदिन्छ, मान्छेको साथले नसजिएनी आज यही लालिगुरासको रुखले मेरो घरआगन सज्जिएको छ, भेदभावको कालो बादलको पर्दा यो गुरासको रुखले हटाएको छ, म चाहन्छु यो रुख मेरो आउने पिडिहरुले नि नजिकबाट नियाल्न पाउन.

#Natureforall

Vultures Soaring above Pokhara’s Landfill Sites

Aarati — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 04:58:03 +0000

I saw a magnificent sight of vultures congregated among rubbish heaps during a waste management training session at the Pokhara landfill site. As real scavengers of nature, these amazing birds were diligently carrying out their essential function of clearing organic matter and preserving ecological equilibrium.

#Vultures #Biologicalwastemanagement #Pokhara #Nepal

Women in the Wild: A Lifeline from the Forests of Nawalpur, Nepal

Aarati — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 12:49:55 +0000

Against the backdrop of Nawalpur’s forest, a woman stands with her animals, showing the deep connection between women and nature. The forest has long provided firewood, fodder, and sustenance, supporting their livelihoods.”

Bound for Breeding: The Captive Elephants of Chitwan, Nepal

Aarati — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 12:44:27 +0000

Picture: In Chitwan National Park’s Elephant Breeding Centre, elephants are kept chained for breeding purposes. While the goal is to protect the endangered Asian elephant, the practice raises concerns about their welfare. Restricted movement and unnatural conditions often cause physical and mental stress, and I feel its an ethical challenges of balancing conservation with animal well-being.

A solitary tree in Nawalpur, Nepal

Aarati — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 12:38:47 +0000

A solitary tree stands tall amidst the lush paddy and mustard fields of Nalwapur, Nepal, a quiet sentinel in the open landscape.