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The number of visitors to the Annapurna circuit, which had been impacted by floods and landslides, is on the rise. 

The heavy rain and snow that fell between September 24 and 27 had caused a significant drop in tourist numbers due to blocked roads and paths. 

Bhupendra Gurung, who oversees the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Tourist Check and Information Centre in Dharapani, shared that they are now seeing about 150 to 200 tourists arriving each day. He noted that clearing the snow from the footpath to Thorangla Pass, which stands at 5,416 meters, has made it much easier for travelers heading to Mustang from Manang. 

The tourist season kicked off in August, but adverse weather from October 8 to 11 had a negative impact, reducing daily arrivals to just one or two people. However, Gurung mentioned that things are looking up again. 

From October 4 to 11, the center recorded 1,447 tourists, with 887 men and 560 women. 

The largest groups came from Israel (141), Australia (121), Germany (109), Spain (103), and Britain (97). Last year, during peak season, they welcomed 400 to 500 tourists daily, but this year’s numbers have been affected by the recent floods and snowfall. 

Gurung is optimistic that as the roads and paths improve, even more tourists will start to arrive. 

The Annapurna trail is a favorite among both local and international visitors, thanks to its stunning mountain views, natural beauty, and rich local culture and lifestyle. 

Key stops for tourists along this route from Besisahar in Lamjung to Mustang, via Manang and crossing the Thorangla Pass, include Jagat and Dharapani. 

Pancha Bahadur Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur from Masryangdi Rural Municipality-4 in Jagat, expressed hope that as tourist numbers rise, the local economy will benefit. 

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2, 100 per tola in the domestic market on Monday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 294, 400 per tola today.  

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 25 per tola and is being traded at Rs 4, 415 per tola. 

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill, 2026, registered in parliament earlier this week, proposes measures to promote energy efficiency, conserve energy and expand renewable energy use across the country.

The bill identifies seven sectors where provisions related to energy efficiency and energy conservation would apply. They include businesses, industries, factories and commercial establishments; transport vehicles; government, commercial, residential and business buildings; service-sector institutions such as hospitals, schools and universities; agriculture, irrigation and drinking water; equipment used to produce, supply or consume energy, including their manufacture and import; and electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

Although an earlier draft had proposed an eighth category covering sectors designated by the government through a notice published in the Nepal Gazette, the provision has been removed from the bill.

As per the bill, the proposed designated establishments and sectors would be required to prepare and implement annual targets, plans and programs for energy efficiency and conservation. They would also have to maintain monthly records of energy consumption, use energy-efficient technologies and equipment, and prepare and implement annual plans and targets to replace energy-intensive technologies, machines and equipment.

They would also be required to conduct energy audits of technologies, equipment and systems used for energy production, supply or consumption and implement recommendations made in the audit reports.

The bill also assigns responsibilities to all three tiers of government for improving energy efficiency and conserving energy.

The governments would be required to formulate and implement programs in line with policies and standards on energy efficiency and conservation, use efficient technologies and equipment in the production, transmission and distribution of electricity and other forms of energy, and discourage unnecessary energy consumption.

They would also have to implement programs promoting rational energy use and management, encourage the use of energy-efficient technologies, equipment and services, and adopt environmental protection and sustainable development measures in the production, development and use of all forms of energy.

The bill also states that the federal government will provide technical assistance for renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation projects and programs implemented by provincial and local governments.

The bill also proposes transforming the existing Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) into the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Centre. Similarly, the existing Central Renewable Energy Fund, which has been established to provide subsidies and credit to the renewable energy sector, would be transformed into a Sustainable Energy Fund under the proposed law.

According to the bill, any level of government seeking to implement a renewable energy project or program would have to submit a proposal to the center. The proposal would have to include details such as the nature and objective of the project, estimated cost, geographical area, beneficiary population, potential impacts and expected benefits.

Projects would be selected based on their need and relevance, taking into account factors such as geographical remoteness, the state of energy access, disasters, and the feasibility and sustainability of the proposed technology.

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

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the gold is being traded at Rs 296, 500 per tola. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 35 per tola and is being traded at Rs 4, 440 per tola.