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Sixty-one people have been charged in connection with the violent royalist protest that took place in Tinkune on March 28.  Among them, sedition cases are being pressed against 50 individuals, while the remaining 11 face charges of criminal vandalism.

Eight people, including Durga Prasai, face charges of homicide, attempted murder, sedition, criminal vandalism, organized crime, and combined offenses. These charges, filed at Kathmandu District Court, relate to the deaths of Sabin Maharjan and journalist Suresh Rajak during the unrest. The other seven to face the similar offenses are: Harihar Chaulagain, Saroj Gautam alias Tara Rajabadi, Satish Neupane, Gokarna Shahi, Dandapani Regmi, Santosh Kumar Silwal, and Hemraj Tharu.

The charges were filed based on the investigation report submitted by the Kathmandu District Police Range. The police had recommended prosecuting 108 individuals in total.

Furthermore, Rabindra Mishra, senior vice-chair of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), has been charged with four criminal offenses. He faces charges of sedition, criminal vandalism, organized crime, and combined offenses. Police had held Mishra in custody for 50 days for investigation. However, he was later released after the Supreme Court ordered his release through a habeas corpus petition. RPP General Secretary and lawmaker Dhawal Shumsher Rana is also charged with the same four offenses. 

During the protest, demonstrators reportedly vandalized private homes, set fires, and looted the Bhatbhateni Supermarket. Mishra and Rana were present at the protest site in Tinkune and are accused of inciting the crowd.

Before the March 28 protest, RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden had warned that backing Prasai could lead to the party’s downfall, but senior leaders like Rana and Mishra chose to work under his leadership, which ultimately led to the violence.

The March 28 incident also exposed serious flaws within Nepal’s security apparatus. First, there was a lack of coordination among agencies. Second, security forces failed to gather intelligence on Prasai’s plans in advance. Lastly, Nepal’s law enforcement faces severe shortages of essential equipment, with no significant procurement in the last decade.

The government has pointed fingers at former King Gyanendra Shah, alleging that he played a role in orchestrating the protests by appointing Prasai as a commander. On March 27—just a day before the demonstration—Shah met with Prasai, further fueling suspicions. 

After the March 28 protest, the campaign of pro-monarchy supporters slowed down. On April 20, the RPP had announced plans to breach the restricted zone near the federal parliament, demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and the release of its detained leaders. However, the protest failed to gather significant mass support. While the turnout on the streets was minimal, RPP lawmakers managed to stage a symbolic protest inside Singhadurbar, leading to the arrest of RPP Chairperson Lingden, Vice-chairperson Buddhiman Tamang, and Chief Whip Gyanendra Shahi. They were released later in the evening. 

Royalist factions have called for a mass showdown on May 29. Nava Raj Subedi, a panchayat-era royalist leader, is leading the monarchy restoration campaign.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has criticized the royalist movement, saying it is not driven by any noble purpose but by narrow self-interest. “These people are not fighting for any great cause. The government has remained relatively quiet, and the people have stayed calm. They are exploiting this situation to put on an unnecessary show of strength,” Oli said. The prime minister has also instructed his party cadres to counter royalist protest.

In a step towards operationalizing the Paris Agreement’s carbon market, a UN supervisory body has adopted key standards to guide how emission-reducing projects are measured and credited. These new rules—established under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM)—aim to ensure the generation of high-integrity carbon credits, supporting global climate goals while opening new opportunities for countries like Nepal to participate in international carbon finance.

PACM allows countries and private actors to collaborate on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, using a standardized framework to issue verified carbon credits. Two major standards were adopted during the recent meeting: one to determine the emission baselines (i.e., what would have happened without the project), and another to account for unintended emissions, known as ‘leakage’, that might occur elsewhere due to a project’s implementation.

The baseline standard requires a downward adjustment of emissions—starting with a 10 percent reduction below historical norms and continuing with at least a one percent decline annually. This move is aimed at avoiding over-crediting and increasing the climate integrity of the system. The leakage standard, meanwhile, mandates that all emissions displaced due to a project—such as increased deforestation in nearby areas—are accounted for. For REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects, alignment with national strategies is a prerequisite.

For Nepal, these decisions could be game-changing. With its extensive forest cover, successful history of community forestry, and national REDD+ framework already in place, Nepal is well-positioned to participate in PACM. The new rules provide clarity and credibility that can enhance Nepal’s ongoing conservation and reforestation efforts, ensuring they qualify for international carbon finance. Additionally, Nepal’s clean cookstove initiatives—which aim to reduce indoor air pollution and biomass use—could align with the Supervisory Body’s decision to bring older projects in line with the latest methodologies.

“We finally adopted a groundbreaking decision ensuring crediting levels are set consistently with a pathway to net neutrality, through a process of minimum downward adjustment of crediting levels over time,” said Martin Hession, chair of the Supervisory Body.

Maria AlJishi, vice-chair of the Supervisory Body, added: “These standards provide the clarity developers need to begin designing activities under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism and are key to fully operationalizing it.”

For countries like Nepal, which are rich in natural resources but financially constrained, these developments offer more than just environmental benefits—they open the door to new streams of climate finance. The Supervisory Body also emphasized equitable benefit-sharing and capacity building, which could further assist Nepal in developing the institutional and technical systems required to effectively participate in PACM.

In support of national ownership and equity, the Body has also initiated discussions on how to ensure project benefits are fairly distributed in host countries. A dedicated consultation process and enhanced country engagement tools are expected to help countries like Nepal secure their share of mitigation benefits.

Despite the progress, the transition from older mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is expected to result in a short-term funding gap, as the pipeline for PACM projects is still in development. However, the first PACM methodologies are expected to be approved by the end of 2025, potentially enabling Nepal and others to begin designing eligible projects from 2026 onward.

As the global carbon market enters this new phase of integrity-focused evolution, Nepal has the opportunity to position itself as a regional leader in sustainable carbon project development—if it can mobilize the right strategies, partnerships, and institutional readiness.

The first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad, a global dialogue forum, concluded on Sunday issuing a 25-point declaration titled the ‘Sagarmatha Call for Action’. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba announced the declaration and officially closed the three-day event held in Kathmandu under the theme “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity.”

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Minister Deuba emphasized that the Sagarmatha Sambaad successfully amplified the voices of mountain and island communities suffering the brunt of the climate crisis. She called for collective global efforts to translate the forum’s outcomes into concrete action and underscored Nepal’s commitment to raising the dialogue’s key messages in various international platforms.

Minister Deuba described the Sambaad as a historic initiative that reinforced shared global commitments to mitigate the impacts of climate change. She also confirmed that the second edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad will be held in 2027.

The Sagarmatha Sambaad is an initiative of the Government of Nepal aimed at fostering dialogue on pressing global issues. This year’s theme centered on mountains, climate, and future sustainability bringing together high-level delegations from 12 countries and over 175 international participants. The next edition will be organized on a different theme.

‘Sagarmatha Call for Action’ emphasized the urgent need to safeguard glaciers and mountain ecosystems in the face of accelerating climate change. Released as the outcome document of the Sambaad, the declaration recognized climate change as an “unprecedented challenge” that threatens both present and future generations, calling for immediate and coordinated global action. It reaffirms international commitments to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The declaration drew on recent United Nations resolutions that declare 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and designate March 21 as World Day for Glaciers. It also notes the UN’s declaration of 2023–2027 as the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, reinforcing the global commitment to sustainable mountain development. It highlighted the critical role mountain glaciers play in regulating hydrological cycles and providing vital services to both upland and downstream communities. “The receding cryosphere is putting immense pressure on snow-fed river systems that sustain species, ecosystems and the livelihoods of billions,” the declaration warns.

It further underlined the disproportionate impact of climate change on mountain communities, despite their minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. Melting glaciers, the dialogue noted, are not only contributing to sea-level rise but also triggering cascading disasters like landslides, floods, droughts and extreme weather events.

Calling mountains the “guardians of civilizational heritages, biodiversity and freshwater resources,” the ‘Sagarmatha Call for Action’ calls for the recognition of their role in ensuring climate-resilient agriculture, clean energy, nature-based tourism and sustainable livelihoods.

Besides the opening, plenary and closing sessions as well as side events, the dialogue featured 13 parallel sessions focused on five thematic areas.

Speaking at a press meet following the conclusion of the Sambaad, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said the government, as the organizer, was successful in hosting the dialogue and that the event met its expectations.

When asked about the limited presence of high-level international leaders and the absence of any heads of state or government, Rai responded that this was Nepal’s first attempt at organizing such a forum, and participation from neighboring countries at high levels made it a success.

The highest-ranking guests at the event included Xiao Jie, Vice-chairperson of the Standing Committee of China’s 14th National People’s Congress (NPC); Bhupender Yadav, India’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan; Sharmeen Soneya Murshid, Advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs of Bangladesh; Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources of Bhutan; and Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Maldives. A video message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres was also shown at the event.

Quoting a metaphor, Foreign Secretary Rai said, “In the eyes of a flower, the world is a flower; in the eyes of thorns, the world is a thorn,” suggesting that perceptions vary and that the event should be seen in a positive light. He added that the Sambaad had helped strengthen Nepal’s soft power on the international stage.

Rai also noted that the ‘Sagarmatha Call for Action’ would be taken forward by the government and incorporated into various national policies, plans, and programs.

The 25-point declaration

• Reaffirm the urgency to hold the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by accelerating mitigation actions, building adaptive capacity and resilience, addressing loss and damage, and strengthening partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for all.
• Encourage countries to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0 to keep 1.5°C alive, aligned with the latest science that calls for urgent and transformative global action.
• Further encourage countries to develop and implement National Adaptation Plans to respond to country—specific adaptation needs.
• Call for enhanced provision and mobilization of international financial support, particularly through grants and concessional financing for implementation of climate actions in developing countries, including countries in special situations.
• Encourage collective efforts to ensure equitable and simplified access for the developing countries, particularly those vulnerable to climate change, to the international climate finance from bilateral, multilateral and alternative sources, including the operating entities of the Financial Mechanisms and the Funds under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
• Support the call for the establishment of a dedicated fund for the development of mountain countries to mobilize targeted financial resources for climate action and sustainable development in mountainous regions.
• Prioritize the recognition, respect, and rewarding of mountain ecosystem services through leveraging existing and innovative financing sources.
• Emphasize the role of private sector finance and carbon markets in scaling up sustainable climate actions.
• Strengthen global and regional partnerships to facilitate access to climate-friendly technologies and enhance capacity building.
• Reaffirm the need for collaboration among the policymakers, scientific institutions, private sector and other relevant stakeholders to drive innovation and mutual learning to formulate appropriate policies and programmes that address the inherent vulnerabilities to climate change.
• Acknowledge the importance of promoting green, resilient and inclusive development, ranging from small to large-scale infrastructures, in both rural and urban communities, as appropriate.
• Stress the significance of clean energy, energy efficiency and just energy transitions, recognizing the importance of powering the future through clean energy as well as green, circular and bio-economies.
• Promote science, technology and innovation-based solutions for addressing climate-induced disasters, and conserving glaciers, water resources, forests and agricultural systems.
• Encourage dialogues on mountains and climate change agenda with special focus on triple planetary crisis and short-lived climate forcers, given their profound impact on regional climate, monsoons, cryosphere and public health.
• Recognize the urgency of strengthening data systems, ensuring data sharing and interoperability, and developing climate attribution and early warning mechanisms tailored to the needs of developing countries.
• Underscore the need to establish a robust linkage between mountain and ocean-specific risk assessment, monitoring, and early warning systems using advanced science, technology, and innovation.
• Promote climate justice across all climate actions by ensuring fair, inclusive and evidence-based solutions to the developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.
• Foster inclusive climate actions through active participation of children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and maintain gender balance while upholding intra- and inter-generational equity.
• Call to initiate the creation of a multi-stakeholder international platform on mountain and climate change for dialogue, innovation and empowerment, with the aim of amplifying the voices of mountain communities in global climate processes.
• Recognize the role of local and indigenous communities in climate policies, programmes and actions, including adaptation and conservation initiatives.
• Emphasize the need to develop mechanisms for payment of environmental services, enabling them to adopt innovative climate financing.
• Emphasize the need for developing knowledge centers, sharing best practices, and enhancing the roles of local communities in climate policies, programs and actions.
• Resolve to forge a common voice for urgent climate action that resonates from the Sagarmatha to the seas, and from highlands to islands.
• Acknowledge the relevance of the theme of the first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad in highlighting the adverse impacts of climate change from mountains to lowlands; forging common understanding and actions to uplift communities in vulnerable situations; and reaffirming commitment to continue working for a just, resilient and sustainable future for all.
• Express appreciation to all the dignitaries and delegates for attending the Sagarmatha Sambaad, a permanent forum to foster global dialogue on key issues of national, regional and global significance and look forward to its continuity ahead.

Nepal has intensified security measures in response to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, with particular focus on border areas, airports and other sensitive areas.

The tension surged following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ in which it airstroke on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on early Wednesday in a retaliatory action following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people including one Nepali citizen. 

The Indian army has said that artillery firing by Pakistan has led to the deaths of 15 civilians and injured 43 since Tuesday night. It said that the shelling hit civilian areas in Poonch and Tangdar in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan has said 26 people have been killed in the air strikes and cross-border firing.

Amid concerns over regional instability, Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF) has been placed on high alert, particularly along the open Nepal-India border, to prevent illegal cross-border movement. APF Deputy Spokesperson DSP Shailendra Thapa said 24-hour patrols have been deployed between border outposts, and joint surveillance and intelligence-sharing with India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have been intensified.

Special directives have been issued to battalion commanders, and identity checks are being strictly enforced. The APF is also coordinating with Nepal Police, the National Investigation Department, local representatives and the public to monitor border activity and prevent unauthorized movement.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat meeting of the National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, has decided to step up surveillance at Tribhuvan International Airport and other key entry points. Defense Secretary Rameshwar Dangal said the council assessed the potential impacts of the India-Pakistan conflict on Nepal and discussed enhancing internal preparedness, coordination and intelligence sharing. “The focus is on safeguarding national security and preparing for possible challenges,” he said in a press statement issued following the meeting of the Secretariat.

The safety of Nepali citizens in both India and Pakistan was also a key concern. The committee resolved to monitor their situation through diplomatic channels. During Wednesday’s parliamentary session, lawmakers expressed concern over the growing conflict and urged the government to protect the rights and welfare of Nepalis living abroad, especially in India and Pakistan. 

Internationally, the United Nations and several world leaders have called on both countries to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue to avoid a broader military conflict. A spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is “very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border.” Stéphane Dujarric added: “He (The UN chief) calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”

Asked about the Indian strikes, US President Donald Trump replied: “It’s a shame.” Speaking at the White House in Washington DC, he said that “we just heard about it just as we were walking in the doors of the Oval (Office).” “I just hope it ends very quickly,” Trump added. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said on X that he is monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. He echoed the US president’s comments “that this hopefully ends quickly.” He also said that he would continue to engage with both Indian and Pakistani leadership “towards a peaceful resolution.”

The Chinese foreign ministry has called India’s military operation against Pakistan “regrettable”. In response to a question on escalating tensions between the South Asian rivals, the foreign ministry spokesperson said they were “concerned” about the ongoing situation and asked both countries to “remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation.”

Russia’s foreign ministry has said in a statement that it is “deeply concerned about the deepening military confrontation” between India and Pakistan. It has urged the countries to show restraint. “Russia strongly condemns acts of terrorism, opposes any of its manifestations and emphasizes the need to unite the efforts of the entire international community to effectively combat this evil,” the statement said. “It is hoped that the existing disagreements between Delhi and Islamabad can be resolved through peaceful means, with Russia advocating for a bilateral resolution,” it added.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said that current tensions between India and Pakistan are a “serious concern.” “The UK government is urging India and Pakistan to show restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. Lammy said the UK had a close and unique relationship with both countries. “I have made clear to my counterparts in India and Pakistan that if this escalates further, nobody wins,” he said. “The UK was clear in its condemnation of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month. We need all sides to work urgently to see regional stability restored and ensure protection of civilians,” he added.

Pakistan said it had rejected India’s claims of terrorist camps on its soil, reiterating that the allegations were baseless. “It would also be recalled that immediately after 22 April 2025, Pakistan made a sincere offer for a credible, transparent and neutral investigation, which unfortunately was not accepted,” the statement issued after Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) meeting chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif said. It added that international media visited the alleged “terrorist camps” on May 6 and more visits had been scheduled. However, without providing a shred of evidence about its claims, India had gone ahead and attacked “innocent civilians in order to satiate its... short-sighted political objectives,” the statement said.

With inputs from Agencies

Nepal is grappling with a severe environmental and public health crisis linked to growing plastic pollution and poor waste management practices. The problem has come into sharper focus in recent weeks as air quality deteriorated dramatically across the country.

According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data from April 2025, Kathmandu’s AQI crossed 250—classified as very unhealthy. A visible haze over the valley, largely attributed to vehicle pollution, wildfire, dust and open burning of waste, especially plastics, in urban and semi-urban areas impacted the public. Many social media users reported eye burning problems and difficulties in breathing. 

“With limited landfill space and ineffective plastic waste collection, many local governments resort to open dumping or burning of plastic, releasing toxic pollutants into the atmosphere,” says Ujjwal Upadhyay, an environmental expert.

This burning is not just an environmental hazard—it’s a public health emergency. Scientific research now confirms that microplastics are being inhaled, absorbed into the bloodstream, and accumulating in human organs—including the brain.

A startling investigative article by NBC News on Sept 2024, citing a study published in JAMA Network, reported that researchers in Brazil had discovered microplastics in the olfactory bulbs of deceased human subjects. The olfactory bulb, located just above the nasal cavity, is directly connected to the brain. Scientists suspect that airborne microplastics are entering the body through the nose and accumulating in this region, raising alarm about potential neurological effects.

A separate study conducted at Cukurova University in Turkey found that microplastics could constitute up to 0.5 percent of the human brain’s total weight. These revelations underline the urgency of addressing airborne microplastic pollution.

According to the World Bank’s 2020 estimates, Nepal generates around 60,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually, of which approximately 20,000 metric tons end up in rivers. With many landfill sites located near waterways, heavy rainfall or improper dumping leads to significant plastic leakage into rivers, eventually flowing into the Ganges in India and further into the Bay of Bengal, polluting marine ecosystems.

Plastic, once hailed as a “wonder material” for its durability and low cost, is now proving to be an environmental curse. “It is non-degradable, breaks into microplastics over time, and is now found in drinking water, food, air, and even in salt,” says Upadhyay, who is also a team lead at Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers). “A study by Dungel and Maharjan, published in Heliyon, found 80 to 1,040 microplastic particles per kilogram of salt sold in Nepal.”

“Completely banning plastic may be impractical, but immediate steps can be taken to phase out single-use plastics and strengthen plastic waste management,” he says. “Recycling, public awareness campaigns and behavioral change are key to reducing plastic pollution. Waste management systems must be modernized with support for circular economy models, turning plastic waste into reusable raw materials.”

According to Upadhyay, sanitation workers—often the backbone of waste collection—must be supported with proper safety gear, training and fair compensation. “Scaling up recycling infrastructure and connecting informal waste pickers to plastic recovery supply chains can contribute to both environmental protection and economic upliftment.”

“There is a high chance of rainfall on Wednesday, which might clear the pollution, and everyone will forget about it,” says Upadhyay. “But that should not be the case—every stakeholder must treat this as an emergency and take action.”

Bhairab Risal, a pioneer of environmental journalism in Nepal and one of the country’s most respected media figures, passed away on Sunday, at the age of 97.

Risal, who was suffering from heart- and lung-related ailments, died while undergoing treatment at the Baneshwar-based Frontline Hospital. At his own request, his body was donated to Patan Hospital for medical research. In death, as in life, he remains committed to the public good.

Born on 12 Aug 1928, in Bhaktapur, Risal began his education at Ranipokhari Sanskrit Pathshala in Kathmandu and later graduated from Nandi Ratri Pathsala, affiliated with Banaras Sanskrit University, India. Raised in a devout Hindu family, he initially trained to become a priest like his father. “My father wanted me to follow in his footsteps,” Risal recalled in an ApEx Pioneers column published two years ago in The Annapurna Express. “But I had to find work to take care of my family.”

That search for livelihood brought him into journalism in 1956, when he joined Halkhabar, a daily newspaper, as a reporter. Armed with a bicycle and an eye for the stories of ordinary people, he reported on issues across the Kathmandu Valley and beyond. His journalism career, which began out of necessity, soon turned into a lifelong pursuit of truth.

After a brief stint in the government census in 1959, Risal joined Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) in 1963 and served for over two decades. Although working under government restrictions was often frustrating, it deepened his commitment to independent journalism. In the 1980s, he began noticing Kathmandu’s worsening pollution and, along with like-minded journalists, formed a group to report on environmental issues. This would later evolve into the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ), established in 1986. NEFEJ’s landmark achievement came in 1997 with the founding of Radio Sagarmatha—South Asia’s first independent community radio station.

Risal was also deeply involved in civic activism, including the Save Bagmati campaign. Even into his 90s, he remained active—hosting radio programs by telephone and writing columns for newspapers when his health allowed.

The following reflections, given during his lifetime as part of ApEx Pioneers column, provide a glimpse of the admiration he inspired in those around him. Ninu Chapagain, a longtime colleague, once remarked, “Despite his age, I still consider him a youth. He is more dedicated to journalism than many young journalists I know. Brought up in a Hindu family, he has made his way from a priest to a full-timer communist to a pioneering environmental journalist. He has always walked on the progressive path.”

Tejeshwar Babu Gongah, his friend, likened him to the sky: “In Nepali, ‘Bhairab’ means sky. And our Bhairab Risal is also like the sky, covering a wide swath of knowledge. I respect him for his contribution to Nepali journalism. His activeness even at this age keeps me inspired, as I am only five years younger than him.”

And Kosmos Biswokarma described him as “an exemplary figure in Nepali journalism.” He added, “Even in his 90s, he was active as a freelance journalist. His contribution to environmental journalism is immeasurable. He started environmental journalism in Nepal. He has seen and experienced a lot. A meeting with him is always filled with interesting tales.”

From walking the narrow lanes of Kathmandu with a reporter’s notebook to founding an entire movement for environmental awareness through the media, Risal leaves behind a legacy of truth-seeking, public service, and fearless integrity.

He is survived by his wife, Sushila Risal, and children Gokul Risal, Bhaswot Risal, Sushma Risal, and Susham Risal.

As Donald Trump took over the presidency of the US, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding across the world was scrapped. This also impacted Nepal, affecting collaborations with all three tiers of government and various international and national non-governmental organizations (I/NGOs). The halted projects spanned across critical sectors, including fiscal federalism, biodiversity conservation, education, agriculture, health, economic development, human rights, environmental sustainability, and disaster resilience. With the funding cuts, concerns have been raised about the long-term impact on Nepal’s development trajectory, particularly for marginalized communities and sectors heavily reliant on foreign aid.

The total amount of scrapped or significantly affected USAID funds in Nepal amounted to over $319m. Among the affected projects, the USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal) initiative, which had a budget of $19m, was one of the most prominent. However, according to Shiva Kumar Wagle, spokesperson for the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), only this particular project under the ministry was impacted, and the overall impact on the ministry was minimal. Additionally, a $20m allocation for fiscal federalism was also scrapped, affecting governance and decentralization efforts.

Several other key projects lost funding, including the $24.79m KAWAS project aimed at water security and sanitation governance, the $18.91m Trade and Competitiveness initiative, and the $35m Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) program led by CARE Nepal. The USAID Clean Air program, designed to reduce pollution in Kathmandu Valley with a $13m budget, also faced funding cuts. Similarly, the USAID Inclusive Livelihoods project, which sought to empower persons with disabilities, lost its $1m allocation, along with the USAID Agricultural Inputs program, which was set to receive $24.56m.

Nepal’s private banking sector in the past years has collaborated with international organizations to finance climate resilience projects in the country. Several banks have secured funding and accreditation to support renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation initiatives. But where are they allocating the funds and what type of project is those funds benefiting? Or really these banks are funding the right project or are they investing these climate-related funds to other non-climate projects?

In June 2023, Laxmi Sunrise Bank collaborated with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to implement the Tarai Agribusiness and Enterprise Challenge Fund (TAECF) under the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)-GGGI Climate Smart Agriculture project. This initiative aims to support micro and small enterprises in the agriculture sector by providing grants and facilitating access to finance. The Bank has to play a crucial role in offering loans to grantees approved by GGGI, strengthening the agricultural value chain in Madhes Province.

Despite efforts to obtain comments and updates on the project, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Laxmi Sunrise Bank, did not respond to inquiries via email or phone. Even after reporting it to the Chief Grievances Officer, there was no further update.

In March 2024, Nepal Investment Mega Bank Limited (NIMB) became the first private-sector commercial bank in Nepal to receive accreditation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This accreditation enables NIMB to manage climate projects ranging from $50m to $250m, facilitating investments in renewable energy, solid waste management, and climate adaptation projects through public-private partnerships.

Khushbu Thapa Magar, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Project Manager at NIMB, provided an in-depth response regarding the bank’s role in climate finance. Her response outlined the bank’s structured approach to climate finance, which includes two key stages: ‘Concept Note Preparation’ and ‘Full Funding Proposal Development’. Initially, the bank identifies and develops investment-ready projects aligned with Nepal’s climate priorities and GCF criteria. Once approved, a detailed funding proposal is created, including feasibility studies, financial structuring, environmental and social assessments, and a Gender Action Plan.

“NIMB’s project pipeline focuses on various sectors crucial to Nepal’s climate goals, including renewable energy, e-mobility, waste-to-energy solutions, sustainable agriculture, urban resilience, and climate adaptation efforts,” says Magar. “The bank prioritizes projects with high paradigm shift potential, ensuring that they can be scaled and replicated nationwide.”

Magar further highlighted NIMB’s investment strategy, which includes concessional funding, public-private partnerships, and structured financial mechanisms to de-risk climate projects. “Additionally, NIMB follows strict environmental and social safeguards, promotes gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and aligns its projects with Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Strategies (LTS).”

In Oct 2023, Global IME Bank Limited (GIBL) secured a $25m loan from Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF) to promote climate-positive lending in Nepal. This funding is specifically allocated for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, with a strong emphasis on electric mobility.

In Feb 2024, International Finance Corporation (IFC) invested $56m in GIBL to enhance access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-owned businesses and those in rural areas. A portion of this funding is dedicated to climate mitigation efforts, including clean transportation, climate-smart agriculture, and solar energy projects.

In June 2024, the OPEC Fund for International Development provided a $25m loan to GIBL to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while enhancing climate resilience in Nepal. This funding seeks to bridge financing gaps for MSMEs and expand the bank’s climate finance portfolio.

Despite attempts to obtain a statement, the CIO of GIBL did not respond to requests via email or phone. Even after reporting it to the Chief Grievances Officer, there was no update.

In May 2023, IFC invested $55m in Siddhartha Bank Limited (SBL) to increase access to finance for small businesses and foster climate finance in Nepal. The investment is expected to support clean transportation, climate-smart agriculture, and solar projects. However, no response was received from the CIO of SBL, despite multiple inquiries. The Chief Grievance Handling Officer was also not available.

These kinds of partnerships reflect Nepal’s growing engagement in climate finance and the private sector’s increasing role in sustainable development. With these collaborations, Nepal’s banking sector is positioning itself as a key player in financing the country’s transition toward a greener economy. However, challenges remain in ensuring the effective implementation of these funds and fostering greater transparency in climate-related investments.