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Both the ruling and opposition parties are actively preparing their strategies for the upcoming winter session of Parliament, set to commence on Jan 31. Traditionally, the winter session is regarded as a ‘bills session’, but as usual, it is likely to be overshadowed by political disputes between the ruling coalition and the opposition.

The ruling parties, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, are working to present a united front on key issues, particularly the government’s decision to introduce five ordinances just before the session. Prime Minister Oli has emphasized the need for all ruling parties and their leaders to defend the government’s decisions and policies. However, his concerns are growing as some senior leaders of the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) have openly criticized the government’s performance and its move to issue ordinances. NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba has urged his lawmakers to refrain from publicly criticizing the ordinances, while the party has invited experts to brief lawmakers on the benefits of these ordinances.

Despite these efforts, dissatisfaction persists within the NC. During the party’s Parliamentary Party meeting, lawmakers expressed concerns over the government’s poor performance. While Prime Minister Oli has publicly thanked the NC for its support, senior NC leaders, including Shekhar Koirala, continue to criticize the ordinances and other government actions. NC Vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka has stressed the need for ruling parties to present a unified stance, avoiding conflicting opinions. Echoing this sentiment, UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula has called on ruling parties to highlight the advantages of the ordinances to justify the government’s decisions.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are gearing up to take a more aggressive stance in Parliament. They plan to strongly criticize the government’s decision to issue ordinances and raise other contentious issues, such as proposed changes to electoral laws aimed at introducing a threshold to prevent the emergence of new political parties. Additionally, the opposition will focus on the case of Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane, who is under investigation for alleged involvement in the misappropriation of cooperative funds. Opposition parties view this as political revenge and a targeted move against Lamichhane.

The opposition also intends to highlight the lack of progress on the constitution amendment process, which was agreed upon by the NC and UML. The Parliament Secretariat has prepared a two-week calendar for the session, with top leaders from all parties set to address the House on the first day. The ordinances introduced by the government will also be presented on the same day.

The government aims to enact over a dozen laws during this session, but the political environment remains highly polarized, with sharp divisions between the ruling and opposition parties. Despite the opposition’s protests, the NC and UML, with their strong numerical strength, are well-positioned to pass legislation. Currently, 12 bills are pending in the House of Representatives, and six are in the National Assembly. To expedite the law-making process, the NC and UML have established a two-party mechanism, with UML leader Yogesh Bhattarai and NC leader Jiwan Pariyar leading the effort.

“Today we suffer from the success of having “conquered” nature,” says Ashim Sharma, a mental health counselor who specializes in trauma, somatic experiencing, and drug rehabilitation. He

reflects on the increasing disconnection between humans and nature and its direct impact on our mental well-being which can be traced back to a biological/evolutionary level. 

Research has shown that exposure to nature reduces stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system because of people’s innate connection to nature. In other words, we move from a fight-flight response (which alerts us to danger) to a rest-digest response (which decreases our heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels). 

Spending time in nature also impacts our thoughts and emotions and creates the feeling we get when we take a walk around the neighborhood “to clear our head”. This was supported by a functional neuroimaging study that found decreased blood flow in the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for complex thought) which correlated with decreased “rumination” (repetitive thinking or dwelling on negative feelings) after a 90-minute nature walk compared with an urban area walk. 

When it comes to the relationship between nature and mental health, the concept of nature exposure has been prioritized as seen in the studies mentioned above. However, the concept of “nature connectedness” has surfaced in research in recent years. Nature connectedness is a psychological construct that measures individuals’ subjective sense of connection to nature and has been found to be stronger than nature exposure in predicting mental well-being.  It has been found to influence the relationship between mental health and natural exposure itself. 

This means we can not only reap the benefits by pausing to experience nature with our senses but also by reflecting and remembering the experiences through our preferred medium of expression whether it be poetry or painting. And through it feeling an increasing connection to nature.

This essence of nature connectedness is reflected through initiatives such as PsychHike by My Quest Foundation, where participants are led by a counselor/psychologist for a short hike. Throughout their journey, they receive basic psychoeducation while being simultaneously encouraged to connect with various natural elements.

Anjal Bhatta, a counseling psychologist/trainer who has been serving as the lead coach for PsychHike since 2013, shares his experience “During the hike, with each step there is movement, and with it is an opportunity to connect.” He asserts that the natural elements act as support for people to express and reflect on themselves, something your conventional workshop that is limited to four walls might not be able to provide you with.” 

To those used to the conventional approach, the hike can be quite challenging, however he reports feeling quite rewarded after seeing them overcome it. 

The countless benefits of nature-based experiences have been explored through research in environmental psychology, which has revealed that such experiences have a positive impact on attention, mood, self-regulation, and stress. It is also seen to increase generosity, cooperation, and our sense of social connection. 

Bidhan Parajuli, a sound healer and counseling psychologist who has been an active participant/ assistant coach during PsychHike from My Quest Foundation expresses feeling healing on a spiritual level, the feeling of being one with nature while also being able to reflect on personal development “I feel like my thinking and feeling patterns change every time I go.”

Small things such as spending time at community parks, pausing to notice the small things in nature such as adding plants to indoor spaces, paying attention to our five senses, or even watching videos of nature if we are unable to go outside. 

Neha Adhikari, a yoga instructor, and psychosocial counselor, shares about how the balance of five elements, air, water, space, earth, and fire are directly related to our mental well-being and how we can access them through simple daily acts such as going to our rooftops and practicing mindfulness about the sun/moon and the air and the fact that a simple shower can help balance our need for water element.

“I go to my terrace to relieve my headache after a long way of working indoors. I feel the air, space around me, sunlight if it is daytime or moonlight if it is night.”

As with other health-related activities, it is important to schedule time for this. The deep biological, psychological, and spiritual benefits of exploring our connection with nature can profoundly impact our overall well-being. It might be challenging to prioritize something so quietly existing around us, especially considering the vast amount of information fighting for our attention all throughout the day whether it be at work or at rest. However, it can be as easy as setting out for a few minutes to notice the trees or birds on your way to work or limiting your screen time during rest to go outside and notice the air and space around us sipping our favorite hot beverage. And soon we might start noticing the impact on our attention, mood, and stress levels.

As we age, our brain function declines. This is one of the reasons why old people aren’t as sharp as young ones. But it’s not something that is inevitable. With the right approach, you can train your brain to function at its best throughout your life. Your brain has the capacity to learn and grow even as you age, but you have to take care of it. Studies have shown that those who keep learning new skills or taking up challenging tasks have better cognition and don’t suffer from memory lapses as they age. But the earlier you start, the better. Here are some things you can consider if you want to boost memory, focus, and concentration.

Build your vocabulary

A good vocabulary is always a plus point. You will appear smarter and be more confident. But it also has another benefit that you don’t want to miss out on. Learning new words can be a stimulating brain game. Research shows that main areas of the brain are involved in tasks that involve vocabulary, particularly those that are important for visual and auditory processing. To start with, learn a new word or two every day and try to use those words in your conversations for the next few days. You can also make a list of words as you learn them—maintain a separate document or notebook for it—and come back to it to quiz yourself as your vocabulary expands.

Solve the Rubik’s cube 

Most of us have this fun thing at home but not all of us can actually solve it. Learning to solve the Rubik’s cube can be highly stimulating and it’s a skill that will make you feel smarter while working your brain muscles. There are many YouTube tutorials that can teach you how to try and solve the cube but each is different and you will really have to work your brain muscles. It will take time for you to learn this skill and you will also need to practice it to master it. The good thing is you can carry a Rubilk’s cube with you and practice whenever you have some time. Once you know how to solve it, you can challenge yourself to finish it within five minutes or less.

Do a jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles are fun. It’s also a great way to exercise your brain muscles. These days, you not only get a 100 piece puzzle like you used to earlier but there are many 500 or a 1000 piece puzzles in the market as well so there is really no limit to just how intensive and immersive doing a jigsaw can be. Looking at different pieces and trying to figure out where they fit in the larger picture recruits multiple cognitive abilities. It can also be a meditative practice, calming and nurturing your brain. This is also a fun activity to do with family or friends. We suggest you start with a simple one consisting of 100 or less pieces and then try more complex ones. You can also create your own puzzles by printing a photo or picture you really like and cutting that into little pieces.

Learn a new language

Multiple studies have shown the overwhelming benefits of being able to speak in two or more languages. It’s believed to delay the onset of age related mental decline while also improving memory, creativity, and visual-spatial skills. Learning and using multiple languages in your day to day life is shown to be good for your cognitive reserve, which is your brain’s ability to compensate for damage caused by injury or diseases. It also strengthens neural connections, thus facilitating learning and information retention. If you don’t want to join a physical class, there are many online courses available as well. Alternatively, language learning apps or YouTube tutorials can be great tools if you are undecided about which language to learn.

Listen to or play music

Studies have shown that music has powerful effects on the brain. From stress reduction to sleep quality improvement, music has far reaching impacts. Music can improve memory and concentration by stimulating brain areas involved in learning and information recall. Music is structural and mathematical with one note connecting to the next. You might not be aware of it but your brain actually does a lot of work to make sense of it. Experts suggest listening to different kinds of music to reap its myriad benefits. Often, we listen to the same kind of music as we did when we were in our teens but unfamiliar music forces our brain to restructure itself.

Do things differently

We are creatures of habit and our days follow more or less the same pattern. While routine and discipline are essential for a good life, doing the same thing over and over again can limit mental growth. Try tweaking things up by changing your morning routine, taking a different route to work, or changing the kind of content you watch on the internet. If you are used to doing a certain thing in a particular way, see if you can do it some other way. The idea is not to be stuck in a rut. Your brain will benefit from simple changes and experts say that you will be surprised by how change can promote critical and creative thinking as well. 

Wildfires have become an increasingly frequent and devastating phenomenon in many regions around the world. Los Angeles continues to battle devastating wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have collectively burned approximately 23,000 acres—an area significantly larger than Manhattan. The death toll has tragically risen to at least 16, with nearly 153,000 residents forced to evacuate their homes under mandatory orders, while an additional 166,000 remain on high alert. These wildfires have destroyed approximately 12,000 structures, including homes, schools, and cultural landmarks such as the historic Will Rogers Ranch House. Preliminary estimates suggest insured losses could surpass $20bn, potentially making these fires the costliest in US history, while overall economic losses are projected to reach $150bn, factoring in infrastructure damage and business disruptions.

The wildfires in Los Angeles also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. According to a report by the California Air Resources Board, the 2020 wildfire season alone released an estimated 112m metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, equivalent to the annual emissions of 25m cars. These emissions exacerbate global warming, creating a feedback loop where rising temperatures lead to drier conditions, which in turn fuel more fires. Furthermore, wildfires destroy vegetation that would otherwise act as a carbon sink, reducing the planet’s capacity to offset emissions. The loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and the release of other pollutants like methane and nitrous oxide further compound the climate crisis.

Wildfires also have a profound impact on water resources. The intense heat and destruction of vegetation reduce the land’s ability to absorb water, increasing runoff and the risk of flash floods. This phenomenon was observed after the 2018 Woolsey Fire, where post-fire rains caused significant mudslides in affected areas. Additionally, wildfires contaminate water supplies. Burned vegetation releases harmful chemicals into rivers and reservoirs, while ash and debris clog water treatment systems. A study by the US Geological Survey found that sedimentation rates in reservoirs can increase by up to 30 percent following major fires, reducing water storage capacity and increasing treatment costs.

In 2019/20, the wildfire season in Australia was such a historically unprecedented event, burning large areas of catchments that provide drinking water to the 5.5m residents of the Sydney metro area and threatening numerous aquatic species with extinction. Likewise, in the Western United States, the area burned in the 2020 wildfire season was 1.7m hectares, the largest annual area burned recorded in the historical records in the United States. These fires caused extensive destruction as well, including the extinction of water distribution systems valued at tens of millions of dollars, and significant warnings of debris flows.

As the climate heats up and dries out and human activities continue to expand, threats to water security grow more intense. If hydroclimatic extremes (with increasing overlaps of the population exposed to extreme hydroclimatic events like wildfires and droughts) coincide with expanding human activities, water crises become increasingly frequent and intense. Warming due to climate change is linked to increased fire risk, even in areas that have long been unaccustomed to wildfires. Warmer weather dries out vegetation, making it easier to ignite, burn hotter and allow fire to spread farther and faster. WWR (wildfire-watershed risks) are an overall global problem that needs proactive action.

To address WWR, we need better governance of forests and water—and it starts with knowing where they are at risk. Countries prone to wildfires should invest in advanced technologies like satellite monitoring and AI-based early warning systems. California's use of drones and thermal imaging to detect hotspots has been instrumental in early fire containment. Controlled burns and forest thinning can reduce fuel loads, minimizing the risk and intensity of wildfires. Australia’s “fire-stick farming”—a traditional Indigenous practice—offers a valuable model for managing vegetation sustainably. Governments must ensure that water infrastructure is resilient to fire-related contamination. Developing rapid-response systems to clean and restore water supplies is critical for maintaining water security in affected areas. Urban areas near fire-prone regions should implement fire-resistant building codes and create buffer zones of non-flammable vegetation. These measures can significantly reduce damage and ensure safer communities.

The experiences of Los Angeles underline the urgency of addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change and water security. Global cooperation is essential to share knowledge, technology, and resources for wildfire prevention and management. Countries must also prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the broader impacts of climate change. As wildfires become a global concern, the lessons from LA Fires serve as a stark reminder of the need for proactive measures. By learning from California’s successes and shortcomings, nations can build more resilient ecosystems and communities to withstand the growing threats of a changing climate.

The author is special advisor for South Asia at Parley Policy Initiative, Republic of Korea. He is a regular commentator on the issues of Water Security and Climate change issues in South Asia. Views expressed are personal