The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report warns that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving more extreme weather and posing serious threats to lives, ecosystems, and economies. In 2024, Asia experienced its warmest or second warmest year on …
Flood hazard is one of the most severe problems in the Himalayan river basins. Although floods are essentially hydrological phenomenon, the uneven distribution of floods in the river basin highlights the control of geomorphological and geological factors. A proper understanding of these factors is critical for a successful flood management …
Nepal's ministry of water resources has threatened the Bhote Koshi Power Company (BKPC), the first privately funded US power project in the country, with punitive action. Responding to the findings of a probe committee investigation, the ministry has decided to penalise BKPC for exceeding the authorised limit on installed capacity. …
The Nepal government has joined hands with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and health institutions to combat the threat arising from unscientific disposal of medical waste. The recent adoption of 'The Kathmandu Declaration' would chart the future course of hospital waste management in Nepal. Most importantly, the declaration calls for assessment of …
Conservationists are up in arms at the Nepal government's new policy of handing over management of some national parks, as well as other protected areas, to non-governmental organisations and private institutions. The forestland in question comprises 79 per cent of the country's total protected area. The perception is that only …
The problem of natural contamination of groundwater with highly toxic poisons like arsenic and fluoride is here to stay. The million-dollar question is: Is there a way out for this global problem? Most of the techniques used by developed nations remove arsenic and fluoride from drinking water at the treatment …
the doors of the World Trade Organization (wto) have been thrown open for Nepal. But not before the country staved off immense pressure from the North to join the International Union for Protection of New Varieties of Plants (upov). The upov is a global agreement that essentially protects the rights …
the community forest user groups (cfugs) of Nepal will now be required to cough up a steep 40 per cent fee on their total income from sale of forest products. The Nepal government brought in the levy through an ordinance promulgated on July 18. It goes against the grain of …
nepal's multimillion-dollar project for supplying drinking water to the parched Kathmandu valley has left residents of Melamchi valley fuming. The reason: water will be diverted from the latter region to benefit the former. Activists of the Melamchi Local Concern Group (mlcg) have locked horns with the Melamchi Water Supply Project …
The March 2003 indictment by the Supreme Court of Nepal and unrelenting public pressure have finally forced the country's government to formulate a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (naaqs). The same has been sent to the law ministry for publication. In recent years, high levels of air pollution have emerged …
The alarming rise in poaching in Nepal's national parks is threatening to derail the country's success in rhinoceros conservation. A total of 48 rhinos have died since April 2002, according to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). While most of the pachyderms fell prey to poachers, some …
nepal has finally disclosed details about the air quality of its capital city, Kathmandu. Not surprisingly, the facts are worrisome. They also have wider ramifications for Nepal, which is an important international tourist centre. The data shows that air in the valley is mainly polluted by two sources: the 1,50,000 …
A recent survey on the psychological health of Kathmandu residents highlights the deleterious impact of rapid urbanisation on the human mind. The study reveals that 30 per cent of the residents of Nepal's capital face psychological problems of some sort, which makes them resort to harmful activities such as alcohol …
Nepal plans to open the highest lake in the world for tourists from May 1. Tilicho lake, at 5119 metres above sea level, is also noted for its natural beauty and religious significance to local people. Other tourist spots that can now be visited include Rara lake and Khaptad National …
An average of 12 women die every day in Nepal due to complications arising from pregnancy. Most of these deaths occur due to lack of access to basic healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and at the post-natal stage. These unpleasant facts came to light at a recent interactive programme organised by …
Rising pollution levels in Nepal's Kathmandu valley are a cause for concern. In a recent survey, tourists singled out air pollution as the most disturbing factor during their stay in the country. Specifically during the period between November and January, air pollution levels zoom in the region. During these winter …
A new bird species has been spotted in Nepal. The Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon) was recently sighted at the Shukla Phanta wildlife reserve in eastern Nepal. The latest find increases the total species of birds found in Nepal to 859. A team of ornithologists spotted three members of the species. …
Almost 60,000 villagers have fled the central and far western districts of Nepal due to the Maoist insurgency. While large numbers have headed for towns in the eastern regions of Nepal, many of them crossed the border through Rupeidha, Banbassa and Jhulaghat and landed up in India in search of …
