Wheelchair user completes historic bungee jump in Nepal ยท Global Voices

Photo by Pradeep Raj Onta via Nepal Federation of the Disabled โ€“ Nepal (NFDN). Used with permission.

Photo by Pradeep Raj Onta via Nepal Federation of the Disabled โ€“ Nepal (NFDN). Used with permission.

Deepa Devkota from Sindhuli District of Bagmati Province in Nepal has become the first Nepali woman living with a disability to complete a wheelchair bungee jump at the Bhotekoshi River in Sindhupalchok District on December 16, 2025.

The Bhotekoshi bungee, a 160-meter high jump, is Nepalโ€™s first bungee and attracts adrenaline seekers from around the world. Earlier in December 2025, Dilip Sapkota and Shishir Dahal also completed a wheelchair bungee jump from the same spot. The first-ever bungee jump via a wheelchair was completed in Russia in October 2015 by Alexe Mayuko.

Photo by Pradeep Raj Onta via Nepal Federation of the Disabled โ€“ Nepal (NFDN). Used with permission.

Photo by Pradeep Raj Onta via Nepal Federation of the Disabled โ€“ Nepal (NFDN). Used with permission.

โ€œDisability isnโ€™t a hindrance. If we have self-confidence and are provided with opportunity, we can make headway in any given field,โ€ said Devkota, a disability rights activist living with spina bifida, in a press statement. โ€œI believe this achievement of mine will motivate other people living with disabilities to move ahead in their lives.โ€

Photo by Pradeep Raj Onta via Nepal Federation of the Disabled โ€“ Nepal (NFDN). Used with permission.

Devkota completed the wheelchair jump on her birthday and dedicated the achievement to her parents, who faced social discrimination and stigma for raising a child with a disability. Expressing her gratitude for their support, she said they have raised her to be capable and courageous, adding that her disability wonโ€™t stop her from pursuing her life goals.

Photo by Pradeep Raj Onta via Nepal Federation of the Disabled โ€“ Nepal (NFDN). Used with permission.

Photo by Pradeep Raj Onta via Nepal Federation of the Disabled โ€“ Nepal (NFDN). Used with permission.

Speaking to Global Voices by phone, Sugam Bhattarai, secretary general of the National Federation of the Disabled โ€“ Nepal (NFDN), said that Deepaโ€™s achievement was an inspiration for all.ย  โ€œPeople living with disability can equally contribute to the society โ€” in all fields, be it tourism or adventure sports,โ€ he said.




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