Day 6: Wednesday, Jan 8
Tree plantation at Sanskriti Farm and Village tour
By Ujjwol Subedi
Our day began with stunning views of the Himalayas under the clear sky, setting the perfect tone for our activities. After soaking in the serene morning, we enjoyed breakfast: roti, tarkari, boiled eggs, honey-lemon-ginger drink, and a comforting cup of milk tea at Sanskriti Farm.
The morning session was led by Shree, who demonstrated the proper planting method for optimal plant growth. With his guidance, we headed to the fields to try our hands at the plantation. Working as a team, we dug two 3x3-foot pits and collected materials such as green leaves, dried leaves, agave leaves, firewood ash, and compost manure.
Following Shree’s instructions, we layered the pits carefully:
- A layer of green leaves, topped with a mixture of soil and compost.
- A layer of agave and dried leaves, covered with another mixture of soil and compost.
- A sprinkle of ash completes the pattern.
We repeated the process until the pits were full, creating a 1–1.5 feet-elevated peak on top of the pit with a mixture of soil and compost. Finally, we planted a macadamia nut tree in one pit and a guava tree in the other, giving them a thorough watering to ensure they thrive.
After the tree planting, we took a short break to recharge and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the farm. The afternoon was spent exploring the surrounding village with Shree as our guide. 
He took us to a nearby community forest, Mathurapati School, and Mathurapati Inn (right), offering us a glimpse of the local culture and infrastructure. The hand washing facility at the school was affected by a recent landslide. We also observed how nearby farmers were harvesting rainwater in poly-tarp-lined ponds for irrigation.
As the day wound down, we bid farewell to Sanskriti Farm and made our way to Dhulikhel Lodge. There, we rested briefly before ending the day with a delicious buffet dinner.
