This year, too, the numbers of those flocking to Kathmandu because of social instability, economic pressures, concerns about the future of one's children and employment opportunities remained as high as in previous years.

According to the registration division of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, 2,236 families comprising 7,164 individuals moved to the capital in the last year. The majority of these are from the Newari community, who originally moved to the eastern Tarai and some hilly towns two generations ago from Kathmandu. These families moved for the purpose of business, farming and other jobs but are now spooked by the spectre of ethnic strife in these parts.

People continue to move to Kathmandu for the usual reasons as well: the attractions and conveniences of the big city, the presence of government offices and attendant opportunities, for example. But only those comfortably employed can afford to actually buy houses in the city centre. The rest have to be satisfied with satellite towns or highway settlements.

There is also movement within the urban sprawl of Kathmandu. Many families now prefer to live in more open, greener spaces and have sold up to settle in neighbourhoods such as Matatirtha, Sitapaila, Dhapasi and Budhanilkantha. About 500 families did so last year.

According to the Ministry of Local Development, 21,340 families moved from one district to another across Nepal in the past year.