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Starting a business in Nepal is an exciting journey, but before you can open your doors to customers or start making profits, it is very important to make your business official and legal. This official recognition comes from registering your company with the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR). Company registration is not just paperwork; it is a legal requirement under the Companies Act, 2063, which explains the rules for forming, managing, and running companies in Nepal. A registered company is considered a legal entity, meaning it exists in the eyes of the law as a separate person from the owners. It protects the owners’ personal property if the company owes money or faces legal problems. A registered company can also own property, sign contracts, hire employees, and even participate in legal actions. 

In Nepal, businesses can register as different types of companies depending on their goals. The most common is a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd), which is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses and can have 1 to 50 shareholders. A Public Limited Company is for larger businesses that want to sell shares to the public and raise more capital. A Non-Profit Company is designed for organizations that aim to serve society rather than make profits. Registering a company brings several advantages: legal recognition, limited liability, easier access to funding, and enhanced credibility with customers, suppliers, and investors. Understanding company registration is the first step toward running a secure and successful business in Nepal.

Registering a company in Nepal may seem complicated, but the Companies Act, 2063 provides clear steps to follow. The first step is reserving a unique company name through the OCR online portal or at their office. The name must not be used by any other company and should reflect the business activity. In recent years, online company registration in Nepal has made this process faster and more convenient for entrepreneurs, allowing them to check name availability, submit documents, and track applications from their computer or mobile device without visiting the OCR office physically. After name approval, the next step is preparing the required documents. 

The Memorandum of Association (MOA) describes the objectives of the company, what it plans to do, and its total capital. The Articles of Association (AOA) set rules for managing the company, including director appointments, meetings, and decision-making processes. Shareholders and directors must provide a copy of their citizenship certificates and a consent letter agreeing to join the company.

Proof of the company’s official address is also required. Once the documents are ready, they are submitted to the OCR, either online through the e-Services portal or physically at the office. The OCR verifies the documents and ensures they comply with the law. If everything is correct, the OCR approves the application and issues a Certificate of Incorporation, officially recognizing the company and allowing it to operate legally, open bank accounts, and sign contracts. Following these steps carefully helps prevent legal issues and ensures smooth business operations.

The Companies Act, 2063 governs all aspects of companies in Nepal, including registration, management, operations, and closure. Understanding this law helps business owners stay compliant and avoid fines or penalties. Important sections include Section 3, which explains basic rules for forming a company, including types and minimum shareholders; Section 4, which describes the application process and required documents; Section 5, which focuses on registration approval and issuance of the Certificate of Incorporation; Section 6, which lists the powers and duties of the OCR; and Section 7, which outlines conditions under which a company can be canceled. 

The OCR is the main regulatory authority responsible for ensuring companies follow these rules, but other authorities such as the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and local government offices also supervise compliance, taxation, and licensing. Entrepreneurs who understand this legal framework can avoid problems and maintain a smooth and trustworthy business operation.

After registering a company, the work does not end. The Companies Act, 2063 and other laws require ongoing compliance. Every company must register with the IRD to obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) and, if applicable, register for Value Added Tax (VAT). Certain types of businesses, such as restaurants, travel agencies, or import-export companies, may need additional licenses from local or national authorities. Companies must also submit annual returns to the OCR, showing financial status, number of shareholders, and main activities. 

Proper financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, must be prepared every year. Regular board meetings must be held, and detailed records must be maintained to ensure transparency and proper decision-making. Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines, penalties, or even suspension of business operations. By following post-registration requirements carefully, companies can build trust with investors and customers while ensuring long-term success.

Registering a company in Nepal is the first step toward creating a strong and successful business. By understanding the types of companies, following registration steps, complying with the Companies Act, 2063, and maintaining post-registration requirements, entrepreneurs can build legally recognized businesses that are credible, protected, and ready for growth. Proper registration not only protects owners but also opens doors to funding, business opportunities, and a trustworthy reputation. Every entrepreneur should take registration seriously and seek professional guidance when necessary to ensure a solid foundation for the future.

Prabin Kumar Yadav

BA LLB, Kathmandu School of Law

Over the years, the use of chemical pesticides in Nepal has increased so notably that it has raised serious concerns about human health and environmental sustainability. From residues in the food we eat to the degradation of soil health and biodiversity loss, the long-term consequences of excessive pesticide use are becoming harder to ignore. In Nepal, where agriculture remains the primary livelihood for around 60 percent of the population, the dependence on synthetic chemicals is not just a farming issue; it is a public health and environmental crisis in the making. 

Climate change has led to the emergence of new pests and the expansion of pest habitats, causing farmers to rely more heavily on chemical pesticides to protect their crops. While effective in the short term, the widespread and often unregulated use of synthetic pesticides triggers long-term consequences. These include the development of pest resistance, contamination of soil and water resources, accumulation of toxic residues in food, and alarming impacts on human health and biodiversity. Children, pregnant women, and farm workers are particularly vulnerable to pesticide exposure, with studies linking prolonged contact to respiratory issues, hormonal disruptions, and even cancer. 

Recent studies have shown that vegetables in Nepal often contain pesticide residues exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRLs), rendering them unsafe for human consumption. 

The increasing import of chemical pesticides over recent years highlight Nepal's growing reliance on synthetic pest control measures. As in the fiscal year 2023/24 alone, the country imported 1,664 active ingredient (a.i.) tons of chemical pesticides (PQPMC, 2025). The rising trend reflects an urgent need to question the sustainability and safety of our current pest management practices. 

In the face of these growing challenges, biopesticides present a promising and necessary alternative. Derived from natural organisms or substances like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and botanical extracts, biopesticides control pests without causing harm to the environment, human health, or beneficial organisms. Unlike synthetic pesticides, they are biodegradable, target-specific, and less likely to cause pest resistance. 

Common examples of biopesticides include Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which controls caterpillars; neem-based formulations for a broad spectrum of pests; Trichoderma species that act against fungal pathogens; and Jholmal, a locally prepared bio-mixture made from cow/buffalo urine, dung, botanicals, and beneficial microorganisms for pest and disease management, and is currently being promoted in Nepal. These eco-friendly options not only help protect crops effectively but also support soil health, pollinator survival, and long-term agricultural sustainability. 

Biopesticides are no longer just something used by the organic farmers as a choice; they are now essential for mainstream agriculture, especially in the face of climate and health challenges. As climate change continues to alter pest dynamics, and as chemical residues threaten public health, a shift toward safer alternatives is not just desirable but urgent. The adoption of biopesticides supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Nepal’s smallholder farmers, who are already facing the brunt of climate impacts, can benefit from locally available and low-cost biopesticide options like Jholmal, which enhance both resilience and productivity. 

Despite their proven benefits, the widespread adoption of biopesticides in Nepal faces several challenges. A major barrier is the lack of awareness and technical knowledge among farmers, many of whom are unfamiliar with how biopesticides work, how to apply them effectively, or how they differ from conventional pesticides. In addition, biopesticides are often not readily available in rural markets, and when they are, they tend to be more expensive or perceived as less effective due to slower action. Limited private sector involvement and insufficient government incentives have also contributed to a weak supply chain and low investment in local production. Without strong institutional support and market linkages, the transition from chemical to biological pest management remains slow and fragmented. 

To accelerate the transition toward sustainable pest management, a coordinated and multi-stakeholder approach is essential. First, government policies should actively promote biopesticides by including them in subsidy schemes. Investment in research and local production of bio-based inputs should be prioritized, enabling farmers to access affordable and effective products tailored to Nepal’s diverse agroecological zones. Extension services must be reoriented to include biopesticide training through farmer field schools, demonstration plots, and digital platforms. The private sector, too, has a critical role to play in developing, distributing, and marketing biopesticides, especially when incentivized through public–private partnerships. Finally, awareness campaigns targeting farmers, consumers, and policymakers can help shift perceptions and generate demand for safe, sustainable pest control solutions.

The overuse of chemical pesticides is not just an agricultural concern; it is a public health, environmental, and sustainability crisis. Thus, biopesticides offer a safer and more sustainable way to manage pests without damaging our soil, food, or ecosystems. If we want safe food and a clean environment, we must act now. With the right support from the government, private sector, and awareness among farmers and consumers, biopesticides can become a powerful solution against pest management.  The future of farming lies not in fighting nature, but working with it. By adopting biopesticides today, Nepal can cultivate a healthier tomorrow; for its land, its farmers, and its people.

The author holds Master's degree in Agricultural Economics and is currently working as a research intern at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

I hate it when things slip apart, 

When pieces fall from a fragile heart. 

I hate losing what I love the most, 

And fear turns me into a silent ghost. 

I overthink, but not too long, 

Fear makes my feelings feel so wrong. 

So I push away the ones I need, 

Craving space, but planting seeds, 

Of distance, silence hurt, not said, 

Ignoring what I need instead. 

I miss chances made for me, 

Let them pass, too blind to see. 

This habit grows, day by day, 

And I lose myself along the way. 

It’s hard to move, to start again, 

Hard to breathe through quiet pain. 

When things go wrong, I lose my light, 

I dim myself to make things right. 

I ignore the pull of what is true, 

Because at that point.. 

I disappear too. 

Supriya Paudel 

United College, Lalitpur

Art is far too often minimized in Nepal to its post-exam positioning: a recreational hobby, something to be done only if time permits. Art is not something to be done ‘if’ and ‘when’. It’s a way of expressing oneself, resisting, and staying alive. And it’s high time that we start treating it as such.

Nepali artists work without institutional support, earning second and third jobs simply to stay afloat. There are few grants, little visibility, and even less recognition for individuals opting to follow creative careers. This mindset is carried over to children, too. Parents disapprove of sketching, music, or dance the moment examinations come around, calling it ‘distraction’. Schools don’t offer any budget for arts. And society recognizes artists as failures unless they ‘make it big’.

But take a look around you. Everything like advertisement, festivals, architecture, protest rallies, fashion, film, etc. depends on art. It is not just about aesthetics; art influences perspectives; how we see the world and how the world sees us. It builds identity, safeguards cultural memory, and fuels local and global economies. Whether it is ancient paubha paintings from the Kathmandu Valley or a product label from a corner shop, there is no escape from art, a silent force that stitches together value and connection.

Despite its presence, art in Nepal is still treated as luxury, something to appreciate and admire, but it does not demand respect. Students interested in a creative future are told not to pursue art because it is ‘not a real career’. Parents are concerned it won’t lead to a living. Schools undervalue art programs. Art is only celebrated after the artist has fame and never during the journey to find it.

If Nepal is serious about nurturing imagination, safeguarding its diversely rich heritage, and creating jobs in the creative industries of the 21st century, we must stop disparaging art, and treat it like the fundamental thing that it is. We should encourage it in our schools, support it in our communities, and honor it in our discussions. We need to prepare teachers to set ideas free and embrace creativity as a skill rather than a hobby. We need to create public spaces for young people to create, express, and share their art without the fear of being criticized or written off.

Art is not a pastime, it is a pathway, a potent pathway that we should walk proudly, supportively, and purposefully.

Amy Thapa

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar