Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University

Message from Prof. Dr. Binod Pokharel at the International Conference on Anthropology of Nepal and the Himalayas 2025!

Prof. Dr. Binod Pokharel at the International Conference on Anthropology Professor Dr. Binod Pokharel, illustrated by his distinguished title as Head of the Central Department of Anthropology at Tribhuvan University, provides his ...

The International Conference on Anthropology of Nepal and the Himalaya, held on July 20-21, 2025, has successfully concluded. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the participants, faculty members, CDA staff, UGC and other partner organizations for their valuable cooperation and support.
Special thanks to vice Chancellor Proffesor Dr. Dipak Aryal for graciously inaugurating the conference, and to Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Profeesor Dr. Dubi Nanda Dhakal, for delivering the closing remarks.
I am especially grateful to the M. A. & M.Phil. students for their dedication hard work, which played a vital role in making the conference a success.

This one's dedicated to the hardworking organizers of the International Conference on Anthropology of Nepal and the Himalayas, 2025.

Chaired by Prof. Dr. Mukta Singh Lama Tamang, Tribhuvan
University was one of the first panel on the theme of Indigenous Knowledge and Resistance.
Following were the presenters:

Defending Land and Sovereignty: Indigenous Resistance to Sustainable Energy Production in Bojheni, Nepal
Aruna Limbu, Tribhuvan University

Protection of Traditional Knowledge in India, Politics and Law: Searching for Solutions Beyond TRIPs
Mayank Kapila, M.S. College, Motihari

Living alongside the National Park: An Ethnographic Study of
Human-Wildlife Conflict and Unintended Consequences in the
Langtang National Park, Nepal
Dil Raj Rai, Tribhuvan University

Another panel of paper presentation was chaired by Dr. Shyamu Thapa Magar, Tribhuvan University, on the theme of "Ethnography of Earthquakes"
Following were the presenters and their topic of presentation:

The ‘Talking Hyam’: An Ethnographic Study of Social Memory, Myth, and Experiences of Local Epidemics in the 2015 Post-Earthquake Context of Nepal
Bhim Rai, Tribhuvan University

From Home to House: Questioning Reconstruction Project in the Post-2015 Earthquake Context in Nepal
Bidur Timalsina, Tribhuvan University

Stories of ‘Her’ Deaths: An Ethnographical Telling of Gendered
Narratives of the 1991 Uttarkashi Earthquake
Vishnupal Panwar, Ambedkar University

Dhun (Rhythm) as a Resilience of the 2015 Earthquake
Sujindra Rai, Tribhuvan University

Presenting their research papers based on the theme of Shaping Cultural Heritage on DAY I, the panel chaired by Ms. Uma Bhandari from Tribhuvan University, consisted of the following presenters and their specific areas of study.

Shaping Clay, Shaping Life: An Ethnographic Study of Traditional Potters in Bhaktapur
Sunita Gaishe, Khopa College

From “Bolachhen” to “Pottery Square”: Continuity and Change in Pottery Craftsmanship in the Heart of Bhaktapur
Prawesh Rai and Trilok Prajapati, IACER

Cultural Resilience in a Transforming World: Challenges and Opportunities for Meitei Manipuri Cultural Heritage Preservation in Bangladesh
G.H. Mohiuddin Ahmad Munna, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

Changing Cultural Landscapes of the Sherpas of Solukhumbu: Negotiating Modernity and Tradition
Aras Kumar Gurung, North-Eastern Hill University

Some Behind The Scene glimpses from DAY I of International Conference on Anthropology of Nepal and the Himalayas

Opening remarks from respected Chair, Chief Guest and Guests in the inaugural session congratulating Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University for the conference and appreciated the efforts to organize this gathering of scholars from around the world.

The CDA team is grateful to all the guest for their warm wishes and look forward to more collaboration and greater works in future.

📸Glimpses from the Inauguration of the International Conference on Anthropology of Nepal and the Himalayas at Nepal Administrative Staff College, Jawalakhel.

The two day conference was officially inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Prof. Deepak Aryal, Vice Chancellor - Tribhuvan University, chaired by Prof. Dr. Binod Pokharel, Head of Department - Central Department of Anthropology, TU, and special guests Prof. Dr. David N. Gellner, University of Oxford, Senior Prof. Dilli Ram Dahal, and Usha Kiran Bhandari, Chair of Madan Bhandari Foundation.

The inaugural ceremony also included the launch of Anthropological Journal of Nepal and the Himalaya, Vol. I, 2025, by CDA, TU.