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Black cardamom has emerged as Nepal’s second-largest export in the first four months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. According to the latest foreign trade data released by the Department of Customs, Nepal exported 1,823.90 tons of black cardamom worth Rs 3.97bn between mid-July and mid-November. 

In the same period of the previous fiscal year, total exports remained at 1,306.25 tons worth Rs 1.9bn. The spice was Nepal’s fourth-largest export in 2024/25 when shipments reached 4,301.04 tons valued at Rs 7.68bn.

Exports grew strongly in the first quarter alone. From mid-July to mid-October, Nepal exported 1,072.20 tons of black cardamom, up 36.8 percent from 783.75 tons a year earlier. Earnings during the period rose 33.3 percent to Rs 1.68bn, compared to Rs 1.26bn last year. 

Almost all of Nepal’s black cardamom goes to India. Exporters say the spice is processed, graded, packaged, and branded there before being re-exported to Pakistan, Gulf markets, and other destinations—often relabeled as “Made in India.” Once re-exported, black cardamom can sell for up to $28 per kilogram, far higher than what farmers received. Nepali farmers earn less than Rs 2,000 per kilogram from Indian buyers.

Nepal is the world’s largest producer of black cardamom, accounting for more than 55 percent of global production. Over 80 percent of the crop comes from five districts in eastern Nepal: Taplejung, Ilam, Sankhuwasabha, Panchthar, and Tehrathum.

However, since the country lacks basic processing and value-addition capacity, farmers are forced to export raw pods, losing out on the higher margins available through drying, grading, oil extraction, and branded retail products. Experts say processing and branding inside Nepal could raise earnings by 50 percent–100 percent.

The country exported 5,017 tons worth Rs 7.93bn in 2023/24, and hit an all-time earnings record of Rs 8.27bn in 2022/23. Revenue stood at Rs 4.77bn in 2021/22 and Rs 6.93bn in 2020/21. Annual earnings stayed above Rs 4bn from 2017/18 to 2019/20.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 800 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 253, 300 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 254, 100 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 625 per tola.

The Birgunj Customs Office has collected Rs 22.9 billion from the imports of five different kinds of petroleum products in the first four months of the current fiscal year and Rs 10.1 billion from the imports of vehicles and auto spares during the same period.

The Office also collected Rs 4.58 billion from the imports of iron and iron-made products, Rs 4.25 billion from garments and Rs 3.17 billion from the imports of machinery and their parts.

Likewise, Rs 3.07 billion revenue was collected from the imports of electric machinery, equipment and their parts during the review period.

The Office stated that goods worth Rs 284.89 billion were imported in the first four months of the current fiscal year and the Office collected Rs 75.59 billion in revenue during the review period of the current fiscal year.

Senior sports journalist Bishnu Thapa from Annapurna Post, sister publication of The Annapurna Express has been honored by Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters. The recognition was awarded on the recommendation of the Nepal Taekwondo Association for Thapa’s long-term contribution to the development and promotion of taekwondo in Nepal through journalism.

Thapa was felicitated by Deepraj Gurung, President of the Nepal Taekwondo Association, during the opening ceremony of the 13th Korean Ambassador Taekwondo Championship, which began on Monday.

Active in sports journalism for more than two decades, Thapa has reported on national and international sporting events, including major global tournaments. His book “Kheladi: Sangharsh Dekhi Safaltasamma” was recently published, featuring stories of the struggles and achievements of around five dozen athletes who have made significant marks in Nepali sports.

Nepali international taekwondo referee Dipendra Dhakal has been selected to serve as a referee at the 13th Korean Ambassador International Taekwondo Championship, which is being held in Lalitpur from Dec 1 to 6.

The event is being jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal and the Nepal Taekwondo Association at the Taekwondo Academy building in Satdobato. The biennial championship, first held in 2003, has seen enthusiastic participation in all past editions and has been inaugurated or observed by high-level dignitaries, including the President of Nepal.

Teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan will join Nepal in this year’s edition following repeated requests from neighboring countries to participate. The tournament will feature 1,530 athletes competing in Gyrogi, Poomsae, and Para-Taekwondo categories across three arenas. The opening ceremony will include a taekwondo demonstration, cultural performances, and K-pop dance presentations.

Dhakal, who is affiliated with Tribhuvan Army Club, has been serving as a referee since 2014 and holds a fifth dan black belt. He is the first from the Nepali Army to become a WT international taekwondo referee and currently works as a taekwondo coach at the Army Club.

He has officiated in several major events, including the 7th Military World Games in Wuhan in 2019, and was named Best Referee at the Royal Spanish International Open Taekwondo Championship 2022. Dhakal has refereed in international tournaments across countries including Canada, China, Austria, Spain, Pakistan, Belgium, France, Germany, and Uzbekistan.

The 13th Korean Ambassador International Open Championships 2025 kicked off at the Nepal Taekwondo Association in Kathmandu on Monday.  

The event was jointly organized by the South Korean embassy in Nepal and Nepal Taekwondo Association.

In his opening remarks, Korean Ambassador to Nepal Ambassador Tae-young Park said that Taekwondo is the traditional martial art of Korea which has developed into a global sport, uniting individuals from different backgrounds through its core values of discipline, respect, and patience. 

He further committed to strengthening cooperation with Nepal particularly in the fields of sports and culture.

Praising the achievement of Nepal on Taekwondo in the world stage, Ambassador Park noted the success of Palesha Goverdhan, who made history by winning a bronze medal.

The victory was celebrated by both the countries as part of their shared sporting heritage.

This year’s championship has expanded into an international event with the participation of four neighboring countries. (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan).

Around 1,500 taekwondo athletes are competing for 103 gold medals in this year’s South Korean Ambassador open championships.

The event will conclude on December 5.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 400 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 253, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 252, 200 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 535 per tola today.

If past practices are anything to go by, the judiciary has delivered a plethora of landmark rulings in defense of the people’s cause. It has dispensed justice without discrimination, welcomed public grievances, and issued judgments consistent with established legal principles and human rights, thereby fulfilling the aspirations of aggrieved parties.

Article 133 of the Constitution of Nepal confers broad powers on the Supreme Court to issue appropriate orders and writs in the name of the State and concerned parties. This provision may be regarded as the “appropriate proceeding clause” of the Constitution. In this respect, the apex court exercises extraordinary jurisdiction to advance justice through various writs and orders.

Landmark rulings 

In Sunil Babu Pant v Government of Nepal and Others (2007), the Supreme Court (SC), while considering a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), recognized transgender and LGBTIQA+ individuals as a “third gender,” ensuring their legal identity and access to services, education, and voting. The Court also directed the government to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and held the State accountable for past abuses. Through this decision, the apex court protected the human rights of sexual minorities and advanced the principle of equality. This case illustrates how PIL can empower citizens and drive a nationwide social change.

Another landmark example is Meera Kumari Dhungana v His Majesty’s Government [NKP 2052, Issue 6, Decision No 6013] which addressed gender equality in inheritance rights. The SC issued a directive to the government to draft and present a bill to Parliament ensuring equal rights for women to parental property.

Similarly, Surya Prasad Dhungel v Godavari Marble Industries highlighted the connection between the right to life and the right to a clean and healthy environment, reinforcing environmental protection as a constitutional concern. Environmental conservation was one of the objectives of the applicant, so the applicant had locus standi for the prevention of the environmental degradation, ruled the court.

These cases illustrate how PILs have become a powerful instrument for promoting justice, equality, and environmental sustainability in Nepal.

In Advocate Radhey Shyam Adhikari v Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and Others (NKP 2048, Decision Number 4430), the SC held that Petitioners need to have meaningful relations and substantial interest in the subject matter to file a PIL.

Global precedent

The first notable PIL case in India was Hussainara Khatoon v State of Bihar (1979), which highlighted the inhumane conditions in prisons and resulted in the release of over 40,000 undertrial prisoners, establishing the right to speedy justice as a fundamental right.

Gideon v Wainwright, 372 US 335 (1963), is a landmark decision by the US Supreme Court that significantly expanded the right to legal representation and is often cited in discussions of public interest litigation and access to justice. The US Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Gideon's favor, holding that: “The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to legal counsel, and this right is fundamental and essential to a fair trial. Therefore, states are required under the Fourteenth Amendment to provide an attorney to defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford one.”

Professor Abram Chayes coined the term “public law litigation” in the US context in 1976.

Way forward 

A PIL refers to a legal proceeding initiated in a court to protect or enforce the rights or interests of the public or a particular section of society. It involves matters where the public or a segment of the community has a legal interest that affects their rights or obligations. Unlike typical lawsuits, a PIL is not filed for personal gain but to seek justice on behalf of the public. It should not be misconstrued as “publicity interest litigation.” A PIL must genuinely serve the public interest, not private interests.

So, it is high time we adopt institutions and mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of court verdicts. Without such measures, judicial decisions risk becoming toothless and merely cosmetic. As a democracy, Nepal must uphold court rulings in both letter and spirit, for the state is founded on the rule of law and constitutionalism.

Nitika Chaudhary

BBA LLB 

Manmohan Technical University (MTU), Biratnagar