Help for women

BARDIBAS: Dhanuk Society, Mahottari, gifted goats to 15 poor women of 15 VDCs. Central member of the society, Premshila Mandal gave away the goats to 15 women representing the most backward community of Terai amid a function organized in Jaleshwar on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, society advisor Bauelal Mandal and Sanju Mandal, Rekha Devi Mandal and Kushudevi Mandal from among the beneficiaries said the move had expanded the women’s scope of income generation. The programme was chaired by Braj Kishor Mandal, Mahottari convener of the society. — RSS

Cardamom disease

ILAM: Cardamom, a major cash crop, has been affected by a mystery disease in Ilam. The Cardamom Development Centre, Fikkal, said more than 75 per cent of cardamom planted has started wilting as the disease is spreading across cardamom orchards in Ilam. A farmer, Lal Bahadur Rai, said, “If the present rate of destruction continues, cardamom farming will be wiped out.” The centre has sent sample cardamom plants to the Agriculture Ministry to identify the disease. Cardamom is the main source of livelihood of hundreds of farmers in Ilam. — RSS

Tourism hit

MANGALBARE: Tourism entrepreneurs in border areas north of the district are hit by declining business after Singalila National Park in India stopped the entry of tourists. Tourists have been prohibited from trekking inside the park area from June 1 to September. “Hotels and lodges in areas along the Nepal-India border in the north of the district were dependent on tourists visiting the park. Our business will be adversely affected,” said Norbu Sherpa, a hotel owner at Sandakphu. Entrepreneur Tilak Gurung said the park imposed the ban on the entry of tourists 15 days earlier this year compared to last year. Most people in Maneybhanjyang, Meghma, Tumling, Kalapokhari, Sandakphu are dependent on tourism. — RSS