Navin Shakya

fieldwork

  • A near-death experience

    My visit to the Upper Seti hydropower project will forever be etched in my memory, but for the most terrifying reason – I almost lost my life. This site visit, which was meant to be routine, turned into a harrowing brush with death in the unforgiving waters of the Seti River. Located about 20 km… More on this

  • Life on instant noodles

    This time, work took us to the remote northern part of Sankhuwasabha district for feasibility study of a hydroelectric project. As I remember, there are only very few sites as rugged and physically demanding as this one. It took us a solid six days from the time we landed at Tumlingtar Airport to finally reach… More on this

  • Scariest flight

    Tumlingtar Airport was blanketed in thick fog all morning, and as the hours passed, our hopes of catching a flight began to fade. We were eager to leave Sankhuwasabha after completing one of the toughest site visits for a hydropower project, but the weather seemed determined to keep us grounded. Miraculously, after a four-hour delay,… More on this

  • Road in village

    This photo was taken in 2011 in the southeastern part of Rolpa during our fieldwork, where a new road had just reached the village. The whole community was excited and hopeful, looking forward to the positive changes the road would bring. In just eight years, the village had changed a lot compared to what it… More on this

  • Budhigandaki trek

    Over the course of three days, we walked roughly 50 kilometers to reach our project site—a trek that turned out to be the most scenic and enjoyable route I’ve ever taken for a hydroelectric project. This path, running alongside the Budhigandaki River, is well-known as part of the famous Larke Pass Trek. While trekkers typically… More on this

  • In and around Jumla

    Jumla (Khalanga) is one of the most remote and beautiful places in the country. It’s a small, scenic town located in the flat valley of the Tila River, surrounded by hills and natural beauty. Jumla’s isolation is partly due to its geographic separation by the Kalikot district, which has long made access to the area… More on this

  • Crossing the Arun River

    A permanent bridge is under construction at present at Dobhan near Num that connects Khandbari, the district headquarters of Sankhuwasabha with the remote northern parts of the district. Track has been opened to connect those remote locations, and the only way for vehicles to cross the Arun River is via ferry which is operated by… More on this

  • Birds of Lamabagar

    Birdwatching becomes an incredibly enjoyable experience, especially when equipped with a superzoom camera.  It’s even more exciting when a diverse range of bird species visits the area, creating a fascinating scene for any bird enthusiast.  Recently, we ventured to Lamabagar along the banks of the Tamakoshi River with the Canon PowerShot SX50HS to capture some… More on this

  • Crossing the Solu River

    Geotechnical investigations are among the most challenging aspects of hydropower development in Nepal due to not only the country’s complex geology and outdated technology, but also difficulty in accessing those remote sites. The difficulties in reaching these locations often feel like adventure sports. In this instance, we crossed the flooded Solu River using a rope… More on this