Parbat, Aug. 10 -- The huge black rock revered as Shaligram Shila (ammonite) at Setibeni on the trijunction of Parbat, Syangja and Gulmi districts, is facing an existential threat as sediment buildup from the Kaligandaki 'A' Hydropower Project raises the river's water level year after year.

Located just 7 kilometres upstream from the 144-megawatt hydel project's dam, the revered monolith-worshipped by thousands during major Hindu festivals-now spends much of the monsoon season submerged.

Locals say the riverbank market of Setibeni, home to over 200 households along with a school and local government offices, is also increasingly at risk of flooding due to the hydropower dam.

"Large boulders, gravel and sand have piled up above the dam,...