The price of the spice reached a one-year high of Rs1,000 per kg in Birtamod, as per local traders.

The remote village in Taplejung does not have health, education and communication services.

Tibet is the largest buyer of the herb, but Chinese authorities do not plan to reopen the border anytime soon, insiders say.

The 15-bed hospital has been receiving more than 100 patients on a daily basis, hospital records show.

Situation is under control, says the only health worker serving the area.

Taplejung district, long known as a heartland of potato cultivation, now imports the vegetable.

A total of 324 people of 63 families have been rendered homeless after a fire destroyed 50 houses at Dovan Bazaar in Taplejung last week.

Fifty-five families have been rendered homeless in the incident and properties worth millions destroyed.

After the completion of the project, vehicles will be able to reach Tiptala Bhanjyang, the Nepal-China border in Taplejung.

Once the species of large cardamom, one of the most expensive spices in the world, are registered, Nepal can claim their ownership and patent them in the international market.

With road connectivity, Nepalis in border areas can easily go to buy daily essentials and sell locally produced items in Sikkim.

Local residents call in a helicopter to spray water, but fail to put out the fire.

Villagers from high-altitude settlements migrate to warmer areas during the winter but this year many are staying back because of the pandemic and a lack of income.

The price has reached Rs875 per kg, up from Rs750 last year, and is expected to rise further, traders said.

Local residents are having a tough time managing essential commodities and finding markets for their products.