Baburam Lamichhane

Selbon Tamang of Sisipu in Ghyangfedi VDC in Nuwakot has seen 52 springs. Since he was 18, Tamang wanted to marry but is yet to tie the knot.

Sete Lama of Sisipu is 45 but his dream to get married and have a family remains a far cry.

Sete and Selbon are hale and hearty. They have no physical disability. They have remained single because there has been a dearth of girls in their village for years due to girl trafficking rampant in Ghyangfedi.

Sete and Selbon are among at least 60 men in the village who have not found a bride, as there is no young woman in Sisipu village.

District Coordinator Asmita Thapa of NGO Shakti Group working to control human trafficking said, "The village either has elderly women or girl children."

It's no surprise that the birth rate has declined in the village. In the last nine years, only one wedding took place in Sisipu village inhabited by 60 families. Sitaram Tamang (32) married Selnenda, half his age, two years ago.

Ghyangfedi and its adjoining villages are no different from Sisipu. More than 100 men in Ghyangfedi VDC are unmarried. "Neighbouring Urleni and Shikharbesi villages also face the same plight. Only statistics vary," added Asmita.

Finding a partner is not the only challenge for Ghyangfedi men. Saving females in the family is an equally uphill task. Bir Bahadur Tamang (45) of Ghyangdanda had gone to Gosaikunda, leaving behind his three-year-old daughter and wife at home four years ago. When he returned his wife and daughter were gone. "I won't get a woman at this age. How can I when young men in the village are without a partner? I am just waiting for my wife," Tamang added.

Though local organizations and administration's campaigns against trafficking have reduced the incidents of trafficking to some extent, that is no solace for Ghyangfedi men.

Published on: 23 July 2012 | The Himalayan Times