A Virtual Tour of a Nepalese Village

Basthalabesi is far from modernization, but we have few regrets because we have nature.

"Internet is the window to world." The saying has more meaning in my life while I am in far from family and friends. In the course of employment I am abroad for three years, but with the help of the Internet I am getting updates instantly from my friends and family.


Yesterday I got an opportunity to have an online chat with my brother. He is a teacher in a government secondary school in Thulopakhar-Sindhupalchok, a quite remote but beautiful hilly region of Nepal. It takes about three hours bus travel from my village. Mostly on weekends he visits home.

Yesterday he shared some photos of my village which he had snapped recently. It was really interesting to communicate by sharing photos. I felt as it I was making my own visit of my village. I recalled my past days which I had there.
Mostly I recall my daily activities at bedtime. While recalling that; this story idea arose in my mind. As Ohmy News International has a global readership; many people might be interested to know about another part of the world, so the story of my village could be an interesting story for many viewers. I am taking you on a short virtual tour of my village, Basthalabesi.

Village homes


Basthalabesi is small village situated at the base of the mountain and river called Jhu Khola which ends in Sunkoshi, a famous river of Nepal. It is located in Kharelthok VDC, Kavrepalanchok district, Bagmati zone. It is almost a small valley. It is 55 kilometers east of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Bus is the only means to travel. It takes about three hours bus travel from Kathmandu. It is linked by a local road, Araniko Highway, with the capital.

Growing crops and preparing for next season


About four decades ago there were no houses. People used to live in the upper hillside only due to the threat of malaria. But there ware some cattle ranches and farms. People used to come in the morning to work at the farm and feed cattle, and moved back in the evening. Later, after control of malaria was established, they moved down there.

houses at the base of a hill; looks like a resort.

Recently there was rain, so it looks like a very neat and clear environment, but the river is flooded so it does not looks better due to muddy water. The view of farms and trees looks very nice, as if just polished up. The main activity of villagers is farming. Due to the recent rain, there is a busy schedule of work. It is the time to plants seeds. Now many farmers grow different seasonal and off-seasonal vegetables, which are more beneficial in a financial way than rice or corn. But farmers say there still is a difficulty of market and transportation.

Maturing corn


Most of the houses are built in the traditional system and pagoda style. They are made of mud and stone with roofs of mud tile, but nowadays many people use tin. Some of the new construction is made in the modern style also, with brick and cement with concrete roof.

Ongoing construction

With wonderful greeneries and peaceful environment, the village looks like a really beautiful piece of natural Nepal. However with the lack of infrastructure and development, life is still difficult there

Beside the wonderful scene of greeneries and jungle there is a threat of wild animals also. Often some wild animals like tiger, jackals and leopards appear. Many time wild animals had attacked the domestic animals and humans too. There is not such a big jungle where they can stay permanently. It seems they come through the jungle of the riverside from Tarai; the western region of Nepal
My brother informed me that just a few weeks ago a tiger killed two goats of one villager nearby my home. Villagers trace the movement of tiger by its footprint or smell. He adds nowadays he often hears the roar of a tiger at evening or midnight.

Basthalabesi is still quite far from modern infrastructure and development. Due to the problems of the country with political instability and internal conflict, many development processes are postponed. With peace, some development programs are slowly crawling along. The local road is still graveled only, which is linked with Araniko Highway. It is nine kilometers from the village.

It still lacks electricity. Some villagers are using solar systems for light and to operate radio or television. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is planning to supply electricity. It might take two or three more months to provide electricity.

In the sector of communication, CDMA telephone has been made quite easier, but with the lack of electricity it is not easy extended. Villagers who have solar systems or other alternatives like battery can operate CDMA phone there.

There are is one government primary, one secondary school and one private primary school. The secondary school is quite far from the village. It takes more than one hour by foot and not less than half an hour to primary school too. So many villagers send their children to Kathmandu for study. There is no higher secondary school or college.

Most of the students moved to Kathmandu for higher study. In the course of study or after study most of the youths are engaged in some job or their own business in Kathmandu. So they don’t move back to village. Unemployed youths also tried to move into the main cities or abroad because there are no opportunities of job and infrastructures for business or industries. And those who earn a good degree or achieve better financial position settle in big cities and don’t want to go back. As a result there is a very low ratio of young and energetic peoples in the village. This tradition has made a negative impact in the development of the village.


Note: This article is also available on Ohmy News International