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Summary:

• Historical Roots: Kumaon’s history is intertwined with Nepal’s far-western Doti kingdom, sharing dynastic rule (Katyuri and Doti) and cultural elements like Shaiva temples and folk ballads.

• Gorkha Rule: From 1791 to 1815, Gorkha Kingdom ruled Kumaon, introducing Nepali administrative systems, military presence, and migrant settlers, whose descendants remain in the region.

• Language and Literature: Kumaoni language shares many similarities with western Nepali dialects (Doti), including vocabulary and poetic traditions, reflecting continuous interaction.

• Festivals and Rituals: Shared festivals such as Gaura Parva, Harela, and Saton-Athon highlight cultural integration through common rituals and celebrations.

• Cuisine and Commerce: Nepali dishes like momos and thukpa are common in Kumaon. Trade fairs like Jauljibi symbolize ongoing cross-border commerce rooted in historical exchanges.

• Music, Dance, Dress: Traditional Kumaoni dances like Chholiya show Nepali influence; cultural attire such as the nathuli nose-ring reflects shared social customs.

• Migration and Demographics: Continuous migration across the Indo-Nepal border maintains demographic and cultural exchange, with Nepalis working in Kumaon’s plantations and army, and Kumaonis moving to Nepal’s Terai.

• Modern Cross-Border Relations: Agreements like the 1996 Mahakali Treaty ease movement and trade. Infrastructure projects improve connectivity. During COVID-19, Kumaoni NGOs helped Nepali neighbors, strengthening bonds.

• Enduring Factors: Open borders, historical administration, intermarriage, and economic ties foster ongoing cultural fusion.

Archive: https://archive.md/CPXF1

Bodies of 1,401 Nepalis Who Lost Their Lives Abroad Have Been Brought Back to Nepal

Summary:
In the fiscal year 2081/082 (Nepali calendar), the bodies of 1,401 Nepali workers who died while working abroad were repatriated to their families in Nepal. The highest number of deaths were among youth aged 26-30, with 233 bodies brought back. Other age groups included 20 and below (29), 21-25 (172), 31-35 (226), 36-40 (225), 41-45 (215), 46-50 (117), 51-55 (71), 56-60 (24), 61-65 (12), 66-70 (12), and above 70 (65).

The Foreign Employment Department recovered 481 bodies and delivered 1,086 to the families. The government provided a total of NPR 102.34 crore in financial assistance to the families of the deceased, with each family receiving NPR 1 million as relief. The data highlights that the most productive and active young workforce faces significant risks abroad during foreign employment.

Archive: https://archive.md/2i3uD

In Nepal, a groundbreaking conservation project funded by the Big Cats Initiative—founded by Dereck and Beverly Joubert—is using passive acoustic monitoring to track tigers in real-time without the need for invasive methods. By listening to the alarm calls of prey species like chital deer, researchers can map tiger presence and alert local communities, reducing conflict and promoting coexistence.

Learn how solar-powered “Caracal” units are enabling community-led conservation and setting a new standard for protecting big cats.

Acknowledgements: The Vision Hawk Films and the Bioacoustics Research Group

Filmed in the Dalla Community Forest near Bardiya National Park

Learn more: greatplainsfoundation.com/big-cats-initiative/ Support more innovation in big cat conservation: greatplainsfoundation.com/donate/

Summary:

• 60% of jar water samples collected from Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur district, tested positive for faecal coliform contamination.
• Out of 10 samples from 10 bottled water companies, 6 tested positive.
• The municipality sealed factories supplying contaminated water and has started inspecting piped household water quality.
• Faecal coliform presence indicates sewage contamination; jar water, usually considered safer, is unsafe here.
• Companies must prove improved water quality before resuming production.
• Water contamination is common in Kathmandu Valley during monsoon, leading to widespread waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, hepatitis A/E, and cholera.
• Last year, deadly cholera was confirmed in Godawari Municipality linked to contaminated water.
• Hospitals report a surge in diarrhoea, viral hepatitis, and viral fever cases.
• Public health experts urge awareness and measures to ensure safe drinking water supply.

Archive: https://archive.md/XQmpn

Bir Hospital Closes OPD to Hold Loud Anniversary Event Inside Surgical Building led by Health Minister Poudel, Disrupting Services

Summary:
On Monday, the 136th anniversary of Bir Hospital was celebrated with a loud and disruptive event held inside the hospital’s surgical building, led by Health Minister Pradip Paudel. To accommodate the program, all OPD (Outpatient Department) services were closed after 11 AM, leaving many patients without medical services despite the hospital announcing free OPD tickets for the day.

The event took place in the ground floor open area of the surgical building, a critical area housing essential services like X-ray, ultrasound, pharmacy, and payment counters. The noise from the speeches, amplified by speakers, disturbed patients, including those recovering from surgery and critically ill individuals on oxygen support.

This practice of holding noisy programs inside the hospital has been ongoing for years, despite criticism. Experts and hospital staff argue that such events should be held outside or in halls to avoid disrupting patients and medical services. The hospital administration and Health Minister Paudel have continued this tradition, even though it clearly hampers patient care and hospital operations.

In summary:

• OPD services were shut down during the anniversary event inside Bir Hospital.
• Loud speeches and noise disrupted critical hospital areas.
• Patients and staff faced difficulties moving within the hospital.
• Experts suggest avoiding such events inside hospitals to protect patient care.
• Despite criticism, the tradition continues under current hospital leadership and health ministry.

Archive: https://archive.md/kLMNB

30 Successful Kidney Transplants in a Single Month at Nepal’s National Transplant Center

Summary:
In a single month, Nepal’s Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center successfully performed kidney transplants on 30 patients. During the fiscal year 2081-82 (2024-25), the center completed 186 kidney and 8 liver transplants. The center also expanded services to four provinces (Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Lumbini) and plans to cover all seven provinces soon.

Key facts:

• Patients’ ages ranged from 14 to 71 years; about 80% were between 20 and 49 years old.
• Among recipients, 73% were male and 27% female; among donors, 70% were female and 30% male.
• Patients came from all seven provinces, with the highest numbers from Bagmati (32%) and Koshi (27%).
• Ethnic distribution: 52% indigenous groups, 26% Brahmin/Chhetri, 11% Madhesi, 9% Dalit, and 2% Muslim.
• The center has conducted a total of 1,471 kidney and 34 liver transplants since its establishment 13 years ago.
• Successful transplants were also done in regional hospitals in Surkhet, Pokhara, and Bheri.
• A unique case involved transplanting both a kidney and liver from a brain-dead donor to one recipient.

The center is led by transplant surgeon Dr. Pukar Chandra Shrestha and aims to make transplant services accessible nationwide.

Archive: https://archive.md/mz9dJ

Madhes may turn into deserts without proper conservation and management of Chure hills.

Summary:
The article discusses the critical environmental issue of uncontrolled exploitation of the Chure (Siwalik) hills in Nepal's Madhes region, leading to severe ecological damage and water scarcity. Key points include:

• Illegal extraction of riverbed materials like sand, gravel, and stones from the Kamala River and other areas is rampant, often using heavy machinery like excavators, causing environmental degradation.
• Many stone crusher industries operate without proper licenses, violating environmental and safety regulations, especially near forests, health institutions, and residential areas.
• Local governments and authorities have failed to enforce laws effectively; even court orders to relocate illegal crushers have been ignored.
• The destruction of the Chure hills disrupts the natural water recharge system, drying up rivers and groundwater essential for irrigation and drinking water in the Madhes plains.
• Past government efforts to protect the Chure have not been successful due to weak enforcement and continued illegal activities.
• Experts emphasize that protecting the Chure hills is vital to maintaining water resources in Madhes. Without it, the fertile plains risk turning into deserts with worsening water and food crises.
• Long-term solutions include strict regulation of extraction activities, relocating crushers away from sensitive zones, establishing water conservation systems in the Chure region, and better coordination among authorities.
• The article warns that unless serious measures are taken, the Madhes region’s agricultural productivity and overall sustainability will be severely threatened due to ongoing environmental neglect.

Archive: https://archive.md/EDSWY

Summary:
Illegal mining of sand, gravel, and stones continues in the Kaligandaki River during the monsoon season despite a nationwide ban from mid-June to mid-September. Heavy machinery operates at night in areas like Kushma Municipality’s Rajako Bagar and Sahashradhar, violating environmental rules. Local officials blame district administration and police for poor enforcement, while some locals allege government involvement in illegal activities. The Supreme Court had temporarily banned mining in 2021, but a 2023 ruling allowed legal mining to resume, leading to tenders being issued again. Authorities acknowledge the problem but enforcement remains weak, with visible signs of ongoing extraction such as piles of sand along highways. District officials claim responsibility lies with local governments, though some downplay the issue.

Archive: https://archive.md/C904i

Summary:
Nepal has made significant progress in tiger conservation, now hosting around 500 tigers, nearly tripling the population since 2010 when there were only 121. This success is attributed to improved habitat management, anti-poaching measures, prey recovery, and the creation of wildlife corridors, especially in protected areas like Chitwan and Bardiya National Parks.

Despite the growing tiger population, conflicts with humans have decreased in recent years. Fatal tiger attacks dropped from 21 in 2021-22 to just 7 in 2023-24. Conservationists emphasize that tigers generally avoid humans and attacks are rare. However, increasing tiger density has led to smaller territorial ranges and occasional conflicts, particularly involving younger or weaker males pushed to park edges near human settlements.

Efforts continue to improve habitat zoning and prey availability to keep tigers within their natural ranges and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Nepal's success also opens economic opportunities through wildlife tourism. Challenges remain in managing rescued tigers due to limited facilities.

Overall, Nepal stands out as a global leader in tiger conservation, balancing population growth with reduced conflict while promoting coexistence between humans and tigers.

Archive: https://archive.md/Zd9zA

Summary:
The U.S. has resumed funding two major infrastructure projects in Nepal, which were previously put on hold after former President Trump suspended foreign development aid. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) had agreed in 2017 to provide $500 million for a power transmission line and road improvements in Nepal. After a U.S. government review, funding for these projects has been recommended to continue. The transmission line aims to boost power trade between Nepal and India, supporting regional energy security and improving Nepal's road network. Other U.S.-funded projects in fields like education and health remain stalled. The MCC grant had sparked protests in Nepal over sovereignty concerns, but the projects were approved by parliament in 2022.

Archive: https://archive.md/tXyI5

Summary:
Nepal has rapidly adopted electric vehicles (E.V.s), with 76% of passenger vehicles sold in the past year being electric, up from nearly zero five years ago. This shift is driven by government policies that lower import duties on E.V.s (40% vs. 180% for gas cars), subsidies, abundant hydropower, and support from China’s E.V. industry. Nepal built 62 charging stations and encouraged private investment in more chargers by offering low electricity rates and tariff benefits.

This transition helps reduce pollution in Kathmandu’s congested streets and decreases reliance on imported fossil fuels, especially after a 2015 border dispute reduced petroleum imports. Despite successes, challenges remain: the government is increasing E.V. tariffs and loan down-payment requirements, there is no battery recycling plan, and public transport electrification is still limited.

Electric buses have been introduced, with around 41 currently running, but about 800 are needed for effective public transit. China has offered to donate 100 electric buses. The government and local leaders aim to expand electric public transport to tackle pollution and traffic issues further.

The overall electric vehicle push in Nepal is seen as a positive move toward cleaner transport, but sustaining it requires stable policies and infrastructure investment.

Archive: https://archive.md/delyf

CIB Concludes 111 Individuals Should Be Prosecuted in Karnali Development Bank Rs 3.25 Billion Embezzlement Case

Summary:
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal has concluded that 111 individuals should be prosecuted in connection with the Karnali Development Bank embezzlement case involving over Rs 3.25 billion. The CIB submitted its investigation report to the Office of the Attorney General, which is preparing to file a case at the Banke District Court.

Key points:

• The embezzlement amounts to about Rs 3.25 billion.
• Four prominent individuals, including former bank chairman Dayal Mishra, finance chief Devprakash Singh Thakuri, and founder chairman Rajendra Veer Rai, have already been arrested.
• Former Nepal Rastra Bank official Bhuvan Basnet was recently arrested after suspicious transactions were found in his personal account linked to the bank.
• Many accused are bank employees, directors, and loan defaulters.
• The bank was found to have used fake balance certificates and manipulated records to hide losses.
• Rajendra Veer Rai, a major shareholder with around 80% ownership and former CEO, was arrested in Lucknow, India. He is also a former Member of Parliament affiliated with UML.
• The investigation revealed fake balances in accounts and fraudulent clearing of checks despite no real funds.
• The bank was established in 2003 (2060 BS) and the irregularities span several years.
• The Attorney General’s office is currently reviewing the report before formally registering the case.

In summary, this case involves large-scale financial fraud at Karnali Development Bank implicating senior officials and others, with a significant amount of money embezzled and multiple arrests made.

Archive: https://archive.md/LuA0i