Nepalese town takes historic step ... backwards

Another view of the now car-less streets in Bandipur

(Asad Badruddin (Tufts University) Student Correspondent Corps)

Bucking business in favor of reducing pollution and protecting history, Bandipur bans cars.

BANDIPUR, Nepal — The congestion and pollution created by massive vehicular traffic james in urban areas around the world have prompted some cities to ban cars, trucks and buses altogether from parts of their downtown areas.

While such efforts are not uncommon in affluent Europe and America, they are harder to find in developing countries where the focus is first and foremost on economic growth.

But Bandipur, Nepal is an exception.