Submit your Article

The Parliament meeting has been scheduled for 1 pm today.

As per the meeting agenda, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel will present a proposal seeking a discussion on the government's annual budget for the fiscal year 2025/26.

Similarly, State Affairs and Good Governance Committee Chairman Ramhari Khatiwada will present the 'Report of the Committee on the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2082'.

It may be noted that the Parliament meeting has not been able to enter the regular agenda in the past few days due to continuous obstruction by the  opposition parties, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over the 'visit visa' scam.

Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi and at one or two places of Madhes Province along with the hilly region of the country today. 

There are also chances of light rainfall and snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

Due to the influence of monsoon winds in Koshi, the weather will remain partly to generally cloudy in the Province along with the hilly region and mainly fair to partly cloudy in the rest of the country, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. 

The west and central regions of the country are currently under the influence of westerly winds and local winds.

Tonight, the weather will remain partly cloudy in Koshi Province along with the hilly region and mainly fair in the rest of the country. 

Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi and at one or two places of hilly region of Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

There are chances of light rainfall and snowfall at a few places of the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

It’s getting hot and humid and dressing comfortably is of paramount importance to feel at ease during this time. But does that mean we have to give style a miss and only wear baggy pants and cotton tops for the rest of the summer months? Not at all. There are easy ways to jazz up your outfits. A simple ensemble can be stylish and look well put-together with some thought and effort. Here we tell you how you can stay comfortable and classy when the sun’s out and you’d rather jump into the swimming pool than attend meetings and work. 

Create a summer wardrobe

Take a look at what you have and pull out all the clothes that aren’t comfortable or those that you haven’t worn in a while. Choose pieces that you want to wear, the ones you feel comfortable in and keep them aside. Fold or hang them where you can access them easily. This makes getting ready a lot easier than having to hunt for clothes when it’s time to go out. Once you know what you have, decide what you want to buy and invest in a few summer pieces like an oversized white cotton shirt, a flowy dress, some skirts, and perhaps even a few co-ord sets that you can wear together or mix and watch with other items in your closet. 

Take a look at your accessories

Summer calls for dainty jewelry and light accessories rather than bulky ones that feel heavy and look out of place when paired with a breezy ensemble. So, evaluate your jewelry and accessories situation. Invest in some light earrings and belts. A neutral color bag that doesn’t have flashy hardware or too many buckles can accessorize any summer outfit. Accessories can make or break any outfit and the problem with summer outfits is that your jewelry and other things that you use can weigh it down. You have to get the balance right. Choose lightweight pieces and dainty silver jewelry to compliment your outfit and don’t over accessorize. Stick to one or two pieces at the most. 

Don’t go all baggy

We tend to wear loose fitting clothes during the summer because the thought of body hugging jeans and tops make us sweat more than the actual heat. But pairing an oversized jeans with an oversized top makes you look sloppy and bigger than your actual size. It’s also not a good outfit choice for office and formal occasions, never mind the oversized suit trends you see on Instagram. Pair one loose clothing item with another well fitted one. For example, wear a well-fitted trouser with a flowy top instead of a loose harem pant with a flowy top. The key is to make sure one thing fits properly. It doesn’t have to be a body hugging piece. You can opt for tailored cotton pants or linen leggings. 

Opt for pastel colors

Dark colors trap heat and make you feel uncomfortable. Light colors reflect sunlight and have a cooling effect. Pastel colors look really good during the summer months. They give you an airy feeling while looking proper and put together as well. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics and make sure they are in a lighter shade for the extra impact. Soft hues like baby blue, lavender, peach, and mint are perfect for summer. It’s not that you can’t wear dark colors during summer but try to avoid it when you can, especially during the day. 

Pay attention to the details

Wear comfortable shoes. Avoid closed, heavy shoes that can trap sweat. Opt for sandals and breathable sneakers in canvas instead. Keep your makeup light so that it doesn’t melt in the heat and also doesn’t make your look sweaty and shiny. Opt for just a moisturizer and sunscreen when you can as a natural look is more practical during the summer. This way, you can use oil blotting sheets to dab away the excess oil from your face during the day. Layering might seem counterintuitive but it can help you transition from outdoor heat to indoor ac with ease. It can also protect your skin from sun damage. The trick is to use light or sheer fabrics when layering. And lastly, choose the right undergarment. Avoid padded bras and synthetic materials. 

Twelve projects under the Intensive Urban Development and Building Construction Office, Rajpur Doti, have remained stalled for the past nine months in Sanfebagar Municipality. These projects, launched under the Intensive Urban Development Program, include blacktopping of the Airport Bazaar and Chhipekhola Roads, construction of residences for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, development of Sarm Khelne Park and Bayalpata Park, repair of Baidyanath Dham Road, construction of the Thanti Bazaar Inner Road, the Tarekuna Complex Building, and the road from Ghughurkot Ward Office to Durbar. Additional plans involve the management of Hat Bazaar Khola, blacktopping of Pul Bazaar Road, and construction of the Lamakhet Dopka Drain.

The delays have been caused by financial disputes between the main contractor, Synergy/Dhruvatara JV, and the subcontractor, Langtang Construction Pvt Ltd, which was awarded dozens of projects as part of a single package. While eight projects have made sluggish progress, work on Baidyanath Dham Road, Thanti Bazaar Inner Road, Lamakhet Dopka Drainage, and Hat Bazaar Khola Management has yet to begin.

Nawaraj Buddha, Ward Chairman of Sanfebagar Municipality-4, said locals are suffering due to incomplete roads in key areas. “During the rice planting season, rainwater washes gravel from the unfinished Airport Bazaar road into the fields. Locals are demanding compensation. Contractors are unreachable. The so-called development is only causing damage,” he said.

The Synergy/Dhruvatara JV Construction Company signed a Rs 336.121m (including VAT) contract with the Urban Development and Building Construction Office on 31 Oct 2024, agreeing to complete the works within six months. It subcontracted the work to Langtang Construction Pvt Ltd.

Santosh Gurung, a representative of Langtang Construction, said the company is struggling due to non-payment. “We still haven’t received Rs 17.4m. How can we continue when we haven’t even been able to pay workers?” he said, alleging that the main contractor raised project bills and diverted Rs 146.4m for other works.

Another Langtang representative, Pradeep Khadka, claimed that while 51 percent of the work has been completed, the company has only received Rs 41m. He reiterated that the problem lies with the main contractor. According to him, only the construction of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s residence and the Tarekuna Complex building is currently progressing; all other roadworks have stalled.

Ram Ashish Das, Project Chief at the Urban Development and Building Construction Office, Doti, also acknowledged serious negligence by the contractor. He stated that the office has forwarded a request for a one-year extension to the department, although only a six-month extension is likely to be approved. “The main and subcontractors haven’t even sat down for talks,” he said, adding that payments were released before Dashain based on verified work. The subcontractor claims they haven’t received the amount due, while the main contractor allegedly exaggerated the scope of work completed. “With the monsoon underway and Dashain-Tihar approaching, we are left with no choice but to consider legal action,” he added.

Dhubra Kunwar, a representative of Synergy/Dhruvatara JV, claimed that the company had paid Langtang Construction. “We received Rs 146.4m from the Intensive Urban Development Program and paid Langtang accordingly. The subcontractor has now gone out of contact,” he said, adding that work will now resume after delays caused by budget shortages and other issues.

The number of dolphins in the Saptakoshi River, part of Koshi Wildlife Reserve, has increased this year. 

The census of the aquatic mammal was conducted for four days (June 1-4) and the findings were unveiled on Thursday, June 5, on the occasion of the World Environment Day. 

This year, the number increased by three compared to the previous year, it has been said. 

According to Reserve senior conservation officer Bhupendra Prasad Yadav, the latest census puts the number of adult dolphins at 15, of semi-adult at five and two baby dolphins, a total of 22. The rise in the number of the animal is itself a positive message in its conservation, it is said. 

The Saptakoshi River is home to Gangetic dolphin which is considered the rare species of dolphin.  

Dolphin is a highly intelligent marine mammal and prefers to inhabit clean and deep waters. 

In 2012, 11 dolphins were recorded in the Saptakoshi River, and the number rose to 17 in 2017, prompting the Reserve to prioritize dolphin conservation efforts.

The previous recent census in 2024 recorded 19 dolphins in the country's biggest river.

The construction of the Dodhara Chandani Integrated Check Post and Dry Port, a national priority project, is set to begin soon, with preparatory work such as tree and utility pole removal nearing completion. The Council of Ministers had approved the use of 42.36 hectares of national forest land in the buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park (Dodhara Chandani Municipality-1, Kanchanpur) for the project on 18 Sept 2024, granting permission for tree and pole removal.

To implement this decision, a bilateral agreement was signed on Jan 7, between the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee. For the check post construction, 1,593 trees were identified for felling within the protected area. The Shuklaphanta National Park Office granted permission for tree felling on Feb 6.

A tender for tree felling was published on Feb 13, the contractor was selected, and work commenced on April 21. So far, 940 trees have been felled. The remaining trees are expected to be cleared by late June. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project was signed between the Government of Nepal and the Government of India on 1 June 2023. The project, which is backed by Indian financial and technical assistance, is estimated to cost Rs 3.8bn. A construction company has been selected from the Indian side, and a formal agreement is expected soon.

“This project has reached this stage thanks to the active and coordinated efforts of Honorable Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari,” said Ashish Gajurel, Executive Director of the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee. He credited the progress to the approval of the project’s environmental impact assessment and the decision to permit tree felling. Gajurel also confirmed that the contract process is complete and that tree management will conclude within 15 days, allowing construction to begin within one to two months.

The dry port will feature state-of-the-art trade infrastructure, including roads, parking areas, platforms, warehouses, weighbridges, container yards, passenger terminals, customs facilities, banks, laboratories for livestock and food quarantine, administrative buildings, and other necessary structures. Once operational, it is expected to significantly facilitate trade and become a key milestone in the development of the Far West. In addition to enhancing import capabilities, the dry port is also intended to boost exports from the Far West. According to Gajurel, there are plans to connect the port with India in the second phase of development.

An agreement was signed on Wednesday to allow the felling of trees along the southern section of the Seti Highway. The Ministry of Forest and Environment and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport reached the agreement, with Acting Chief of the Seti Highway Project Birendra Bahadur Chand and Deputy Director General of the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation Ajit Kumar Karna as signatories.

With this agreement, long-stalled work on the highway can now resume. According to Information Officer Keshav Dutt Mishra, permission has been granted to fell 2,785 trees on 80 hectares of national forest land to construct a 40-kilometer road section between Thuligad, Seti, and Budhi Ganga in Doti. Mishra noted that the agreement was signed without depositing the Rs 400m typically required in the Forest Development Fund.

“The process can now move forward,” Mishra said. “The forest department will carry out another on-site inspection. Once the selected trees are marked, felling will begin.” In accordance with Subsection (1) of Section 42 of the Forest Act 2019, 80 hectares of national forest in Badikedar Rural Municipality-1, 2, 3 and 7 and Bogtan Rural Municipality-3 in Doti will be cleared.

Former Kailali Constituency-2 MP Jhapat Rawal said that the legal hurdles to tree felling have finally been resolved after sustained effort. He criticized what he called impractical forest laws, which he said had obstructed progress on this pride project of the Far West. “The Seti Highway should have been included in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but unfortunately, it wasn’t,” he said. “It has taken far too long to implement the Cabinet’s decision. The Seti Highway should be developed as a ‘game-changer’ project.” Rawal also claimed that progress has stalled because some groups have misrepresented the highway, which he described as a tri-national route tied to the region’s prosperity.

Felling was previously delayed due to repeated non-implementation of Cabinet decisions. As a result, road construction in the Thuligad area of Doti has been held up. So far, only 126 kilometers of track have been opened in the 204-kilometer southern section. The remaining 78 kilometers are still unopened. The southern section passes through Kailali (72 km), Achham (80 km), Doti (40 km), and Bajura (12 km). Of these, two kilometers in Kailali, 40 in Doti, 24 in Achham, and all 12 in Bajura remain to be opened.

The Seti Highway aims to connect Tikapur in Kailali to the Tikune border crossing with India via Baunia, Doti, Achham, Bajura, Chainpur (Bajhang), and Taklakot in Tibet. The 352-kilometer highway is being constructed in two sections. The southern section is administered from Sanfebagar, while the northern section—148 kilometers in length—is managed from Chainpur, Bajhang. To date, only 72 kilometers of the northern section have been opened.

Presently there is an influence of the westerly and local winds in western and central parts of the country. 

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, most parts of the Koshi Province are under the influence of monsoon winds. 

This afternoon, there will be partially to generally cloudy weather in the Koshi Province and the hilly areas of the country, while the remaining parts will have clear weather. 

There is a chance of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some places of the Koshi Province and some areas in the hilly regions of other provinces. 

There is also a chance of light rain and snowfall in some areas of the high hilly and mountainous regions. 

Similarly, there will be partial cloudiness in the Koshi Province and the hilly regions of the country, while the remaining parts will mainly see clear weather tonight. 

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some places of Koshi Province and in one or two places in the hilly areas of Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces. 

There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces, the department indicated.