The farmers in the district of Taplejung are elated with the increased price and good market for cardamom, which is commonly known as 'black gold' here.monly known as 'black gold' here.
TAPLEJUNG: The farmers in the district of Taplejung are elated with the increased price and good market for cardamom, which is commonly known as ‘black gold’ here. The price of cardamom has increased by more than two-fold compared to the last year, which is the all-time high in the past five years, locals said. The […]
The rise in the price of Chireeta (Swertia chirayita) has made farmers and traders in Taplejung happy. This year, the herb, called Chiraito in Nepali, is fetching higher prices than cardamom, the main cash crop of the district. This has excited farmers and businessmen. According to local collector Govinda Raj Baral, 40 kilograms of Chireeta fetches Rs. 32,000 in the market. “The price is even higher in the markets of Birtamod, Jhapa where 40 kilograms can go for Rs. 35,000,” he said. Cardamom, on the other hand, sells for around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 27,000 per 40 kilograms. This increase in price is driven by a rise in demand, mainly in India.
Taplejung is the far eastern district of Nepal bordering China and India. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Some world-famous Himalayan peaks, like Kanchanjunga and Khumbhakarna, lie in the region. Rich in natural beauty with rivers, rivulets and green forests, temperature varies in the district due to the difference in altitude it covers.
Locally, the plain areas are generally known as Besi and the hilly areas are Lekh. You will find warm temperatures in Besi but if you start to climb up the hills, you will gradually feel the cold. ‘Besi’ are mostly along the bank of the river. There is also a big river in the region called the Tamor which originates in the Kanchanjungha Himalayan range. The boundary of Taplejung district is generally guided by the river Tamor and we can find several other rivers, fountains and waterfalls all over the district. Phungling is the headquarters of the district.
Taplejung can be reached by different modes of transport nowadays. There is a regular bus service from Birtamod to Phungling via Ilam. Phungling is also connected by air with Kathmandu and Biratnager. Suketar Airport is the only airport in the district, and it is about seven kilometers from Phungling. A few years back, there was no road connectivity with other parts of the country and people used to walk or fly to travel in and out of the district. The popular walking route was Dhankuta to Taplejung via Basantpur. Traditionally, porters used to transport essential goods through this walking route.
During the last decade, there has been a significant development in road networks within the district. Most of these roads are unpaved and not safe for vehicular use throughout the year. However, a big, wheeled tractor and motorbikes are popular modes of transport for goods and services within the district. In this region, road connectivity has contributed to the economic activities in the area as well as the movement of people.
Most of the hotels, shops and restaurants are located in Taplejung Bazaar, which lies at the center of Phungling Municipality. There are some small shops and restaurants everywhere in the villages. Restaurants are ironically called hotels. Furthermore, Tokmedada is a very popular market in Taplejung, where farmers and shopkeepers from surrounding villages go to sell and buy their products every Saturday and Tuesday.
Taplejung Bazaar
Moreover, there are some local markets alongside the Tamor river that are set up occasionally, mostly during December and January, called Pushe Mela and Maghe Mela. These markets are very special; people can buy local products at a cheaper price. Vegetables, ghee, and bamboo products named Doko, Dhunse, Naglo etc. are available there. Cardamom farming is very popular in Taplejung these days, as it is in high demand and economically profitable. Farmers produce rice, wheat, corn, potatoes and tomatoes in local farmland. Oranges, mangoes, jack fruits and plums are also produced there.
Agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism are the major sources of livelihood for the local people. Thousands of domestic tourists visit Taplejung every month (except in June/ July) to worship the popular goddess Pathivara Devi, while other tourists from different parts of the world visit for trekking and hiking. Due to the natural diversity in the country, one can enjoy different cultures and landscapes throughout the district. People from different ethnicities like Limbu, Rai, Gurung, Tamang, Sherpa, Newar, Chhetri, Magar and Bramhan have been living in this area for many years.
During the Maoist insurgency, many people migrated to the terai region to save their lives; likewise, people moved to Taplejung Bazaar and surrounding villages. Politicians made false promises during the election to extend road facilities, to distribute pure drinking water and electricity, but they did not keep their promises after the election. Even though this is the case, local residents remain calm and wait for a happy and prosperous life ahead.
It is one of the most beautiful places to go for a holiday, especially for those who love trekking & hiking. They can look forward to spending quality time in the lap of heaven and feel the peace and serenity of their surroundings. Is there any place you would rather go on holiday?
According to Krishna Kumar Basnet, coordinator of the association, until the price hike, milk producers and entrepreneurs had been trading milk at Rs. 60 per litre with a very low profit.
KATHMANDU, September 19: Bharat Mani Poudel has won the popular Nepali Stand-up Comedy Show ‘ Comedy Champion Season 2’.
Poudel was successful in garnering the highest vote during a grand finale held on Saturday night.
Poudel, who is basically from Taplejung was awarded a cash price of Rs 2,500,000 and a brand new car.
Bikki Agrawal of Sikkim and Santosh Thapa of Gorkha were runners-up for the Comedy Champion Season 2.
Himesh Pant was the winner of the Comedy Champion Season 1.
TAPLEJUNG, September 10: This season's cardamom has hit the market in Taplejung district with good price, making both farmers and traders elated.
The price of cardamom is comparatively high this year amid the decreasing trend of the product in the past few years, it is said.
Currently, the price of cardamom ranges from Rs 32,000 to Rs 35,000 per 40 kg in the local market.
The price of cardamom, the key cash crop in Taplejung, is expensive by Rs 12,000 to Rs 14,000 per 40 kg against the previous year, said Dinesh Adhikari, a local trader.
Bhadra Regmi, another trader from Phungling bazaar, seconded the statement of Adhikari while adding the farmers and traders are excited from the rising price of cardamom. Trading of cardamom for Rs 35,000 per 40 kg is a very good price, he argued.
The farmers and traders have expected that the existing rate of cardamom would continue until the last of this season.
However, the production of cardamom has sharply decreased this year, according to growers.
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