He has been living in Patlakhawa forest, which is about half a kilometer away from his home, since the age of seven. However, it is not because of any compulsion, he said it was his own will. "I find living in forest better than at home," he said.He owns ten buffaloes and earns enough to support himself and his family by selling milk. "I earn good income raising the buffaloes in the forest. Why should I live at home?" he said.
Upadhyay has built a shed in the forest for the buffaloes where he also spends his night. The shed neither has electricity nor doors.
"I set the buffaloes free in the morning. They return to the shed themselves by evening," he said.
When asked whether he feels scared to live in the forest alone, he said, "What do I have to fear when I have fire at my disposal at night?"
Upadhyay claimed that he earns Rs 400,000 annually selling milk and ghee.
"People from as far as the district headquarters Syangja come looking for me to buy ghee," he said.
He had managed to pay for the education of his four children solely by selling dairy products. Income is not the only the reason why he chose to live in the forest, he said, "I can't sleep at home as I've already been accustomed to the forest environment."
He complained that he has received no government assistance for dairy farming. "I've heard that the government has schemes to encourage dairy farmers. I've submitted an application at the district headquarters but have yet to get a response from the authorities," he said.
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