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The recent Air Dynasty helicopter crash in Nuwakot, which claimed the lives of five individuals, including four Chinese nationals and a Nepali pilot, is a tragic reminder of the persistent safety issues plaguing Nepal’s aviation sector. This incident, coming just 15 days after the fatal Saurya Airlines crash in Kathmandu, underscores a concerning pattern that demands immediate and comprehensive action.

Nepal’s challenging topography, unpredictable weather, and the aging fleet of aircraft without proper maintenance are often cited as contributing factors to these accidents. However, these challenges, while significant, cannot fully explain the frequency of air crashes in the country. The problem runs deeper, pointing to systemic issues that include inadequate regulatory oversight, lapses in training and maintenance practices that do not meet international standards. Nepal’s airliners have been on the European Commission’s air safety blacklist since 2013 due to significant aviation security concerns. 

The government’s response to the latest crash, the formation of a three-member investigation commission, is a necessary step. However, past experiences have shown that such commissions often produce reports that either fail to identify the root causes or, worse, gather dust. What Nepal needs is a proactive and long-term approach to aviation safety.

There must be a culture of accountability and transparency within the aviation sector. The findings of investigation commissions should lead to concrete action. It is crucial to ensure that the lessons from each tragedy are learned and applied to prevent future occurrences.

The repeated tragedies call for the establishment of a robust, independent aviation safety authority that can enforce stringent regulations, ensure regular and rigorous training for pilots, and mandate the modernization of aircraft fleets. Additionally, there should be an emphasis on improving infrastructure, such as upgrading airport technologies and enhancing weather forecasting systems, to better support safe flights.

Nepal’s reputation as a tourist destination is at stake. Frequent air crashes not only result in tragic loss of life but also erode the confidence of both international and domestic travelers. The government must prioritize aviation safety as a matter of national importance, ensuring that the Nepali skies are safe, adding to the allure of majestic mountains that draw visitors from around the world. 

The lives lost in these tragedies should serve as a wake-up call. It’s time for decisive action, not another investigation report.

Kaski district reported 40 cases of dengue on Wednesday.

With this, the district recorded 75 cases of dengue in the past week, according to the District Health Office, Kaski.

Office Chief Ram Bahadur Nepali shared that the number of dengue patients reached 362.

"Dengue fever could take a massive form if we fail to contain it on time. It is spreading rapidly in some of the wards in the Pokhara Metropolitan City," Nepali added. 

Ward 8 of the Pokhara Metropolitan City has the highest number of dengue patients. The ward has 16 reported cases out of 319 in the city. 

The best way to remain safe from dengue is to save oneself from mosquito bites, he said, warning that patients are likely to succumb to the dengue fever if treatment was not done on time.

The Mayor of the Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhanraj Acharya, has said that a 'search and destroy' campaign has been launched after the rising cases of dengue fever.

Dengue infection increases due to the deposition of water in pits and ditches during the rainy season, said doctors.

At an interaction program on the role of stakeholders in controlling and preventing the spread of dengue, Mayor Acharya urged the city dwellers to destroy the possible habitat of mosquitoes.

Now, the 'search and destroy' campaign will be conducted from 10 to 10:30 in the morning every Friday.

Likewise, the Pokhara Metropolitan City has ensured free treatment and tests against dengue from all its 46 health institutions within the city, Mayor Acharya stated.

The Nag Panchami Festival that falls on the Shrawan Shukla Panchami as per the lunar calendar is being observed today across the country by Hindus as per the time-honored tradition.

The festival is being marked by worshiping Nag or the snake god and pasting a picture of the snake god above the main door of the house.

It is believed that sticking the picture of the snake god safeguards the family from snakes and scorpions, fire and lightning.

Nag Puja is believed to have started in the Vedic time and Nag is considered the king of snakes as per the Vedic tradition.

Special Pujas are being offered at Nagpokhari and Taudaha in Kathmandu, Siddhapokhari in Bhaktapur and several other ponds and shrines across the country this day.

After worshiping, the snake god is offered cow milk, Akshata, Dubo grass, rice pudding and Roti with due respect.

The World Hindu Federation International has expressed serious concern about the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. In a press release issued by the WHF International President, it was stated that the violent activities against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, carried out by protesters opposing the reservation system, are highly condemnable and brutal. The World Hindu Federation has taken serious note of this incident.

The situation has escalated following the resignation and departure of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The release states, “The news of attacks on Hindu temples, shops, and homes has caused distress among Hindus around the world. This attack on approximately 12.5m Hindus is an assault on the human rights of Bangladeshi Hindus.” The World Hindu Federation calls on Hindus worldwide to unite and raise their voices against the injustice faced by the innocent Hindu community in Bangladesh and urges the Bangladeshi government to be sensitive to the protection of minority communities.

The Federation also requests the WHF chapter in Bangladesh and all Hindus there to stay united, remain safe during this period of crisis, and be vigilant against these violent incidents.

Recalling past violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, Federation President Asmita Bhandari said, “Freedom of dharma is a fundamental human right, and the Hindu minority citizens of Bangladesh are facing severe oppression. This is a serious violation of their human rights.” Bhandari added that the governments of Nepal and India must be compassionate towards Hindus and that all Hindu brothers and sisters seeking safety in Nepal and India should be granted refuge.

In the release, Bhandari stated, “We urge the entire Hindu community worldwide, human rights activists, and the Bangladeshi government and military to unite and seriously protect the human rights of Hindu brothers and sisters in Bangladesh. We also request the Nepal government to act with seriousness regarding this incident.”

The International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the government to form an independent investigation committee comprising experts to probe the status of the implementation of the aviation safety standards.

A meeting of the Committee held on Thursday directed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to form an investigation committee to recommend actions against those involved in the wrongdoings and ensure policy reforms while investigating the issues within 15 days, including whether aviation safety standards were implemented in the country.

Committee's Chairperson Raj Kishor Yadav said that the Ministry was directed to probe the status of implementation of aviation-related laws and international practices in this field.

Yadav said the decision was taken following consultations with the tourism minister, the Ministry's secretary and the director general of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

Likewise, the parliamentary committee has directed the government to immediately table the bill formed to integrate and amend laws relating to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the bill on Nepal's aviation service.

Furthermore, the Committee has directed the Tourism Ministry to submit the reports of the committees and task forces formed by the government in the past on the plane crashes; aviation safety and aviation regulations.

The Committee has also underscored the need for a separate policy on aviation safety though the aviation policy was in place.

The Nepal Electricity Authority has submitted the details of the dedicated feeder and trunk power lines as requested by the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament today.

The Committee had earlier directed the NEA to submit all the details of Time of Day (TOD) meters of the industries using dedicated and trunk power supply lines.

According to the NEA, all the details including TOD load profile, TOD download, log sheet, power bill, discount bill, judgments made by different levels of courts were handed over to the Committee.

Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal Abrar H Hashmi paid a courtesy call on Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav at the latter’s residence in Lainchaur on Thursday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, trade and economy and cooperation in regional and international forums after exchanging the greetings, Vice President Yadav’s Secretariat informed.

Vice President Yadav said that Nepal and Pakistan have had close and harmonious relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations on March 20, 1960.

“It is necessary that we have to continue dialogue through joint economic commission and bilateral political consultation mechanism established between the two countries,” he said, adding, “The exchange of high-level visits between the two countries has always enhanced the relationship.”

Vice President Yadav said that Nepal and Pakistan should expand cooperation in trade and economic sectors.

“Both the countries can work together in many sectors including investment, tourism, culture and people-to-people relations among others. We have to encourage our private sector,” he said.

Saying that Nepal is a safe place for investment, Vice President Yadav said that Nepal has established ‘One Stop Service Center’ in the Department of Industry to facilitate foreign investors.

“Nepal welcomes Pakistani investors in hydropower, tourism, infrastructure and ICT among other areas,” he said. “I would like to thank Pakistan for providing annual scholarships under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) to Nepali students to study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and engineering.”

Mentioning that Nepal has been providing attractive tourist products and services to Pakistani tourists, Vice President Yadav expressed his belief that Nepal’s nature, archeological and cultural heritage would attract a large number of Pakistani tourists to Nepal.

Regarding cooperation in regional and international forums, he said, “Nepal and Pakistan have the same views on many issues and our concerns are similar in multilateral forums.”

Both the countries have been helping each other in regional and international forums including United Nations, non-aligned movement and SAARC among others forums.

Vice President Yadav said that SAARC should be taken ahead for peace, prosperity and welfare of the people of South Asia.  

“Nepal as the chair of SAARC has been trying its best to resume the stalled SAARC process,” he said, adding, “The help of all the member countries is essential for the same.”

Expressing deep concern over the effects of global warming and climate change in Hindu-Kush Himalayan region, he said that both the countries should join hands to combat the effects of climate change.

Pakistani Ambassador Abrar H Hashmi said that Nepal and Pakistan have a close and harmonious relations and both the countries have been respecting the sovereignty of each other’s countries.

He said that Nepal’s role in SAARC is laudable.

Saying that many groups are becoming active between Nepal and Pakistan, the Pakistani ambassador said that Nepal has been working in the sectors of tourism, agriculture and energy.

“Out of eight Pakistani investors who participated in the investment summit organized recently by Nepal, one has made an agreement with the Nepal government,” he said.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said that the government is serious towards enhancing air safety in Nepal.

Speaking at the meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives on Thursday, he said that the air crashes that have occurred in the Nepali sky in recent periods have made the Ministry grave.

He informed the Committee that he, together with the high officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), inspected the crash site today and it is presumed that the Air Dynasty's chopper crashed at Suryachaur of Nuwakot while trying to return to Kathmandu due to bad weather.

Stating that the government formed a three-member investigation commission under the convenorship of Nepali Army's senior captain Subas Thapa on Wednesday itself to find out the truth and facts of the accident, the Civil Aviation Minister expressed the conviction that the commission will bring out the truth behind the cause of the crash.

He informed that preparations are afoot to develop an action plan for resolving the problems of the entire aviation sector. According to Minister Pandey, short-term, medium-term and long-term ways would be sought to ensure air safety.

CAAN Director General Pradip Adhikari informed the meeting that the preliminary estimate is that the chopper crashed due to bad weather.