Himal Press 
SURKHET: The total population of the endangered Raute community, which continues to live a nomadic forest-based lifestyle, has dropped to 132 with the death of a 65-year-old woman.
The deceased has been identified as Phalato Shahi—the mother of Prakash Shahi, one of the community’s chieftains.
According to Lal Bahadur KC, an employee with a project working for the well-being of the community, Shahi had been suffering from a chronic illness and was undergoing medical treatment. “She was under medication,” KC said. “Members of the community also consumed excessive alcohol during the recent Saune Sankranti festival. She died at around 2 am on Thursday.”
The community’s population stood at 135 in Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) last year.
The community shifts its settlement depending on the availability of forest resources. It is currently living in Khanikhola of Simta Rural Municipality-9 in eastern Surkhet.
