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The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 700 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 191, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 189, 900 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 965 per tola.

The number of visitors to Rara is steadily increasing, supported by improved road and air connectivity that has boosted tourism in the region. Situated at an altitude of 2,990 meters above sea level in Mugu district, Rara is Nepal’s largest lake and a growing attraction for both domestic and international tourists.

Since Mugu was connected to road and air transport 12–15 years ago, tourism promotion efforts have gained momentum. Tourism entrepreneurs say the recent surge in visitors signals a shift in Rara’s tourism landscape.

Fifteen years ago, limited transport and minimal publicity made reaching Rara difficult. Travelers had to fly to Jumla or Bajura and then walk two days to reach the lake. The opening of Rara Airport in 2003 and the Nagma-Gamgadhi road in 2013 have significantly improved accessibility.

According to Rara National Park, around 10,000 domestic and international tourists have visited Rara so far this fiscal year. Over the past five years, more than one million tourists are estimated to have visited the area. Tourism entrepreneur Gopal Bam suggests that with stronger promotion and better infrastructure—such as upgrading the Surkhet-Nagma road, paving the Nagma-Gamgadhi section, and ensuring regular flights—Rara could attract over a million visitors annually.

Although Rara previously lacked well-equipped hotels, several small and medium-sized accommodations have been established along the lakeshore. Approximately a dozen hotels now operate in Salleri, with another dozen in Ghatta Murma Top, contributing to local employment and encouraging business in the region, says hotelier Kal Bahadur Rawal.

Despite rising tourist numbers, many local youths had previously been preparing to go abroad, citing a lack of economic opportunities. However, the popularity of horse safaris among tourists has encouraged some to stay and engage in tourism-related businesses.

Horse breeder Krishna Prasad Bham recalls that horses once sold for Rs 50,000–80,000, but due to transport improvements, demand fell sharply, and horses couldn’t even be sold for Rs 20,000. Now, with the return of demand for horse safaris, horses are again selling for Rs 100,000–150,000.

Horse safari is currently one of the most lucrative businesses in the region. Youths from Murma, Jhayari, Topla, and Sigadi villages are engaged in this sector, earning Rs 50,000–100,000 monthly during peak season. These safaris transport tourists between Upper Mili, Danfe, and various resorts and hotels in the area.

To address the shortage of well-equipped accommodations, construction of a four-star resort has begun at Murma Top, backed by investment from Nepalis living in Australia. The project, led by Abhishek Bikram Shah and his team, was announced during the third investment summit in Kathmandu and is being developed under Rara Holdings Resort in coordination with the Government of Nepal. The resort is expected to be completed within 18 months.

The resort, to be built on 73 ropanis of land with a total investment of Rs 1bn, will offer 36 rooms in the first phase and 98 beds in 19 high-end rooms in the second phase, accommodating around 100 guests daily.

Project Manager Arun Chand stated that the resort aims to promote tourism in Karnali’s religious and natural sites by linking destinations such as Sinja Valley, Rara, Chhayanath, and Khaptad. According to resort representative Aitan Malla, the project will provide direct employment to 120 people and indirect employment to over 1,000.

Additionally, several large hotel companies have begun purchasing land in Murma Top, Salleri, and surrounding areas to develop infrastructure for future tourism ventures.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 4. 26 points to close at 2,614. 67 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1. 15 points to close at 441. 29 points.

A total of 20,542,764-unit shares of 318 companies were traded for Rs 8. 74 billion.

Meanwhile,  Nepal Micro Insurance Company Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 34 trillion.

Hydropower generation in Nepal began over a century ago with the 500-kilowatt Pharping Hydropower Project, the country’s first. Initially, the government held a monopoly on hydropower, and only a limited number of projects were developed. By 1989, Nepal had generated just 167 megawatts of electricity. After the first People’s Movement in 1989, the country transitioned to a multi-party democracy. The 1990 Constitution embraced a policy of liberalization, opening the door to private sector involvement in industry and business, which significantly increased the demand for electricity. Former Energy Secretary Devendra Karki notes that hydropower development has since seen visible progress.

The government alone could not meet the rising electricity demand. The Electricity Act of 1989 paved the way for private investment in hydropower. In 1995, the first private sector project, Himal Hydro, signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the 60-megawatt Khimti Hydropower Project, which was connected to the national transmission grid in 2000.

According to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN), private developers have added 2,740 megawatts to the national grid over the past 24 years. The private sector now accounts for about 80 percent of Nepal’s hydropower generation, says IPPAN General Secretary Balram Khatiwada. In contrast, government projects contribute about 700 megawatts. In recent years, Nepal has made notable strides in hydropower generation, electricity export, green energy promotion, and private sector engagement—moving the country closer to energy self-reliance and economic growth.

Nepal has vast potential for hydropower generation. Government data suggest that approximately 72,000 megawatts can be generated economically and technically. However, current production stands at around 3,400 megawatts, with PPAs signed for an additional 11,000 megawatts.

To address chronic load-shedding, the government declared an energy crisis in 2015 and ramped up hydropower development. At one point, Nepal was importing electricity worth Rs 22bn annually from India to meet demand. Since then, domestic electricity production has surged. Today, surplus electricity during the monsoon season is exported to India, and in Nov 2024, Nepal began exporting 40 megawatts to Bangladesh.

In April 2023, Nepal and India signed a long-term agreement to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity, setting the stage for Nepal to become an energy-exporting nation within the next decade. The private sector has invested approximately Rs 600bn in hydropower, with an additional 4,200 megawatts currently under construction. IPPAN estimates that total investment could reach Rs 1,500bn when ongoing projects are included.

Total investment in completed and ongoing projects stands at around Rs 1,300bn, which includes bank loans, equity capital, and contributions from around 400,000 individual investors. While hydropower development initially occurred in a handful of districts, it has now spread to 70 of Nepal’s 77 districts. Energy projects are underway in nearly all districts except Bara, Bardiya, Bhaktapur, Dang, Dhankuta, Salyan, and Saptari.

According to preliminary IPPAN data, hydropower development has contributed not only to electricity generation but also to socio-economic development in remote areas. These projects have built 3,300 kilometers of roads, 350 kilometers of tunnels, 140 health centers, 153 schools, 95 drinking water systems, and 45 irrigation systems.

To address local needs, the sector has also supported the hiring of 200 teachers and the provision of 30 ambulances. A one-megawatt project under construction can employ about 300 people, while operational projects employ around 10 people each.

To build on this progress, the government has introduced the Energy Development Roadmap and Action Plan 2024, aiming to expand production, consumption, and export of electricity. The goal is to generate 28,500 megawatts of electricity within the next decade. Former Secretary Karki emphasizes the importance of public-private collaboration to implement the roadmap effectively. “The roadmap has been prepared, but to ensure it is not derailed, we must revise laws and create an investment-friendly environment on time,” he says.