People busy in sun drying husked paddy (Photo Feature)

Saroj Basnet

Bhaktapur: People are busy sun drying the husked paddy in Bhelukhel (Lyosingkhel).

Local farmers of the area take turns to dry the paddy in the open space available. About 50 families dry the paddy in the open area. It is not only in Bhelukhel but most of the open spaces in Bhaktapur are being used to sun dry paddy.

There was also the fear of theft of the paddy in the past. People used to sleep in the open area to save the paddy from thieves. But, the risk of theft has decreased now. Hence, people prefer covering the paddy with covers or tents nowadays.

According to the District Agriculture Office, paddy is planted in 4 thousand 3 hundred hectares of land.

(Glimpses from Bhelukhel)