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Tropilaelaps mite, which has become a big problem in beehives in Asian countries as well as India, has been seen for the first time in Nepal.

Foreign scientists, who arrived in Chitwan to participate in a three-day international conference organized by Agriculture and Forestry University here, found this mite in the course of monitoring beehives in the district.

A team comprising scientists of Korea and Taiwan had examined commercial beehives in eastern Chitwan.

According to Associate Professor at the University, Ram Hari Timilsina, such mite was found in course of examining beehives by a team comprising Honeybee and Pollination expert Dr Kedar Devkota, Chief of Honeybee Development Office, Chitwan, Sujan Amgai, Scientist of Andong University South Korea, and scientist of National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.

The government should officially certify that it is mite after all evidence was submitted to the government.

The government has been saying that such mite was not found in mellifera reared commercially here so far. Devkota proved that the mite found in the course of monitoring by foreign scientists was Tropilaelaps. 

Devkota shared that the scientists have advised farmers and the Nepali experts as well to take precaution as the Varroa mite has also been found in that connection and it further breeds during June, July and August.

According to him, discussions were held during a conference on management of pest and disease of bees organized in the Netherlands three months back that Tropilaelaps mite is a big challenge in countries of Asia. The conference had also deliberated on ways of controlling this mite.

Nepal Beekeepers Association immediate past president Shiva Sharma, who was together with the scientists during the observation, said the beekeeper farmers should take precaution in view of the detection of the mite.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Prof Dr Arjun Kumar Shrestha said that various other important achievements have also been made in course of the conference. 

Along with Nepal, scientists from America, Taiwan, Korea, Bangladesh, India and Norway are participating in the conference. More than 50 working papers are to be presented in the conference that is concluding today.

Dr Shrestha said that more than 700 people have benefited from the conference that saw discussions on various researches carried out by the University and researches on agriculture conducted at the international level.

Future research topics to be conducted by the University were identified and prioritized and extensive interaction held to that connection in the conference.

Besides, the foreign scientists have carried out onsite observation of various aspects related to agriculture and provided their feedback.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister visited the Baluwatar-based Shivapuri Higher Secondary School and handed vaccination materials to health workers from the Kathmandu Metropolis-3. The nationwide campaign will run till February 18.

It targets girls from grade six to 10 and the Department of Health Service also ensures access to the vaccine for out-of-schools girls aged 10-14. 

Under the vaccination drive, 1,688,900 girls will be administered the vaccine that protects against cervical cancer, it has been said.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Nepal and on average, it causes four deaths each day. It is caused by persistent infection of human papillomavirus.

Bhupal Baniya, chief dietician, at Nepal Police Hospital in Kathmandu, believes food plays an integral role in how well our body functions. In his 11 years at the hospital, he has seen many people suffer because of bad food habits. It’s gotten worse in recent times when people’s food choices are dictated by what they see on YouTube and other social media platforms. It’s good to want to be healthy but you must also educate yourself and not blindly follow trends, says Baniya. In a conversation with ApEx’s Cilla Khatry, Baniya highlighted the importance of eating according to your body type and making sure you are getting enough nutrients.

What are the things one must keep in mind while eating?

Why do we eat? Food is what gives us energy. It helps our body function. It can also aid in cellular protection and repair. But it can do all this only if our food has all the nutrients our body needs. So instead of focusing on just calories and filling up our bellies, we must make sure our food has all the good nutrients in it. For example, we need carbohydrates and this can come from various sources, especially unhealthy ones. So we have to be mindful it comes from sources like rice, millet, amaranth etc. Next, we need protein and for that we must choose grains, lentils, eggs, and meat rather than processed meats and protein bars. The idea is to eat whole food whenever we can.

Are there things we can incorporate in our daily diets to stay healthy?

Fruits and vegetables, and at least two servings of each, is what I recommend to most people. These have vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are so essential for proper functioning of our systems. People tend to avoid fat, especially those who want to lose weight. But oil and ghee need to be included in our diets too. You need fiber for a healthy gut and good digestion. Have a helping or two of salad in every meal if possible. For those who like and can digest dairy products, yogurt is a good option. It has good bacteria. If not, fermented products like kimchi can also provide the same benefits.

Is there a proper way to go on a diet?

I think all diets are pointless. It’s important to eat well and eat according to your body type. Any quick fixes are sure to fail. But, having said that, some people might need to go on a diet to gain or lose weight or for various other health reasons. For them, I would recommend consulting a dietician first to determine what their body needs and how to tailor their eating habits. It’s important to remember that diets impact different people differently. What works for your friend might not work for you. You must also remember that food is the fuel your body needs to function properly and not starve yourself in order to lose weight. Many people tend to do that and that’s doing yourself a great disservice.

How can we ensure our food is safe for consumption?

The good thing is our government has started taking food safety seriously. It’s conducting random quality checks and ensuring the food that is out in the market is fit for consumption. The monitoring isn’t enough but it’s in place so that is a hopeful sign. Other than that, there are some things everyone can do to ensure the food they eat is safe. First, when buying vegetables, people tend to look for flawless ones that don’t have any marks or holes in them. This is wrong. These have definitely been sprayed with high levels of insecticides. Next, soak vegetables and fruits in a salt bath for 30 minutes before cooking. This is enough to remove most of the pesticides present in them.

As a nutritionist, what would you say is the best thing one can do for good health?

People need to educate themselves about food and the right way to eat. I would say don’t give in to fads and don’t be swayed by what you hear. Don’t follow what you see on YouTube and other social media. I have seen many people fall ill because something they thought would be good for them didn’t suit their bodies. Instead, learn what works for you. You can work with a nutritionist to find out what your body needs and how to make sure you are getting it. I would recommend ensuring you are getting all the nutrients you need and not just counting calories.

What can be done to make Nepalis aware of the importance of good eating habits?

Based on my experience, Nepalis seem to be warming up to the idea that food plays a crucial role in their health and wellbeing. But nutrition still isn’t being considered a part of treatment by the medical fraternity. There are full time nutritionists in many private hospitals but government hospitals don’t see the need to hire one. And these are the places where patients come in by the droves and most of them are unaware about how food affects their health and recovery. The Nepal government needs to come up with a plan to incorporate diet counseling into the health system. 

Farmers in Palpa district have produced more than 9,000 tons of orange this year.

This year saw a slight increase in orange production, said Agriculture Knowledge Center, adding that the district had produced 8,861 tons of citrus fruit last year.

Center's Chief Santosh Kumar Chaudhari informed that the farmers sold the oranges, fetching Rs 527.84 million. Last year, the earning had stood at Rs 460.7 million.

The orange farmers are happy to see a good harvest. The fruit production has increased and even the market is eased, he added.

Rainadevi Chhahara produced 3,639 metric tons of the fruit, while Ribdikot measured the harvest at 1184 metric tons, Bagnaskali 910 metric tons, Purvakhola 728 metric ton, Tansen 546 metric tons, and Mathaghadi 91 metric tons.

Six out of 10 local levels in the district are doing commercial farming of oranges.

Project Abhaya, in collaboration with Civil Outlook, conducted the ‘Governance Fellowship 2025’ from Jan 10 to 25. “The initiative aimed to equip young Nepalis with governance and leadership skills, fostering civic engagement and democratic values,” says the Project. The fellowship saw participation from 67 young leaders, including 37 men and 20 women, representing 22 districts across Nepal’s seven provinces. Over the course of six thematic sessions, distinguished speakers from various fields shared their expertise, guiding the fellows through key aspects of governance and policy making.

The program commenced with an introductory session on “Governance Foundation” on Jan 10, led by Sachin Timalsena, Former National Coordinator of Youth Congress Nepal. On Jan 11, Ashish Regmi, Executive Chief of the Policy and Research Academy, CPN-UML, conducted a session on “Legislation and Policymaking.” Judicial Officer at the Supreme Court, Shreya Sanjel, led a discussion on “Judicial Processes and Access to Justice” on Jan 17.

The fourth session, held on Jan 18, focused on “Inclusive Governance: Promoting Transparency and Understanding Rights and Responsibilities,” hosted by former Education Minister and MP, Shishir Khanal. The final day, Jan 24, featured two sessions—“Feminist Politics: Historical Movements and Grassroots Activism” by Binda Pandey, Former Member of the Constituent Assembly, and “Civic Engagement and Social Accountability” by Milan Pandey, Civil Engineer and member of Bibeksheel Sajha Party.

Project Abhaya Founder Ishika Panta underscored the importance of youth empowerment in governance. “At Project Abhaya, we believe real change starts with empowering young people. This fellowship was a step towards providing them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead with purpose,” she stated.

The six-lane expansion of the 16-km stretch of the Araniko Highway from Suryabinayak to Dhulikhel is now gaining some momentum. The project, which began on 8 Jan 2023, was divided into two sections—Suryabinayak to Sanga and Sanga to Dhulikhel—with a target completion within 36 months. However, only about 30 percent of the work has been completed so far, according to the project authorities.

The government had awarded contracts worth Rs 3.88bn for the 7.5 km Suryabinayak-Sanga section and Rs 4.05bn for the 8.4 km Sanga-Dhulikhel section. However, budget constraints have slowed progress on the main road and service lanes, according to the Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office.

Currently, the construction of retaining walls, drainage systems, and culverts is in its final stage. However, the expansion work in the Sanga area has faced challenges due to steep terrain, making construction difficult.

Despite an agreement of over Rs 8bn for the project, the government has allocated only Rs 540m this fiscal year, which is just seven percent of the required budget. Officials say the lack of funds has caused delays in hiring workers, purchasing materials, and overall progress. They maintain that if the government releases the budget on time, the road can still be completed within the initial deadline.

The project also requires the construction of three new bridges, including those near Jagati and Mahadev Khola petrol pump, at an estimated cost of Rs 1bn. The feasibility study suggests each meter of bridge construction will cost Rs 1.5m.

A separate 1.5 to 2 km section in Sanga, where the road lanes are at different elevations, will not include service lanes due to challenging topography. Instead of constructing a tunnel, the expansion will proceed with modifications to the existing structure. The study also estimates that Rs 1bn will be required to compensate for acquiring 17 ropani of land for the project.

The Araniko Highway was initially constructed in 1960, with a right-of-way of 22.86 meters on either side. The same legal framework was upheld in 1964, and many houses along the road were built following this regulation.

With the reopening of the Tatopani border crossing with China, traffic on this highway is expected to increase further. Currently, over 1,000 long-distance vehicles depart from Koteshwor daily. The road is a crucial link connecting Kathmandu with the Mid-Hill Highway (BP and Pushpalal highways) to the east, as well as with the Koshi and Madhes provinces.

Remittance inflows increased 4.1 percent to Rs 763.08 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 22.2 percent in the same period of the previous year.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) stated this in its report, 'Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal.' The report is based on six months data ending Mid-January, 2024/25.

In the US Dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 1.1 percent to Rs 5.58 billion in the review period compared to an increase of 19.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.

Net secondary income (net transfer) reached Rs 832.76 billion in the review period compared to Rs.799.54 billion in the same period of the previous year.

The number of Nepali workers, both institutional and individual, taking first-time approval for foreign employment stands at 230,439 and taking approval for renew entry stands at 162,628. In the previous year, such numbers were 206,390 and 133,940 respectively.

Meanwhile, Net services income remained at a deficit of Rs 43.53 billion in the review period compared to a deficit of Rs.35.43 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Under the service account, travel income increased 5.1 percent to Rs 41.86 billion in the review period which was Rs 39.82 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Under the service account, travel payments increased 9.7 percent to Rs 101.92 billion, including Rs 56.83 billion for education.

Such payments were Rs 92.87 billion and Rs 58.95 billion respectively in the same period of the previous year, the central bank stated in its report.

The gold is being traded at Rs 162, 800 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 1,895 per tola today.