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Imported liquors worth Rs 40m, stored in a government godown, have expired in the lack of proper management.

Although liquors worth Rs 25m in the godown are fit for consumption, there has been no preparation to auction them off due to a lack of coordination among related agencies. Most of these liquors were imported from countries like France and Scotland without paying VAT and customs duty.

The liquors were purchased by National Trading Ltd—the state-owned trading company that is no longer in existence. The main objective of the company was to sell imported goods at reasonable prices to consumers. National Trading also used to sell goods at the duty-free shop of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) as well as to different diplomatic missions. However, expensive liquors bought in foreign currencies have been languishing in godowns for the past 15 years.

Branded whiskies, rum, vodka, gin and beer worth $563,564 are languishing in its godown in Ramshah Path. These liquors are worth more than Rs 74.95m in current market prices. However, most of them have expired.

The government merged National Trading with Nepal Food Corporation to form Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) four years ago. However, no initiative was taken for the management of these imported liquors after the merger.

“When the government decided to remove duty-free shops from TIA, National Trading was in the process of purchasing goods worth Rs 320-330m. These goods were being purchased by taking bank loans,” Binod Kapali, one of the security guards deputed at the godown, said.

The godowns contain 103,933 liters of liquors of different brands. Of them, 95,898 liters of liquor have passed their shelf life. The remaining 8,034 liters can still be sold in the market, according to staffers of FMTC.

Six godowns of National Trading, which are now under FMTC, are filled with imported liquor. While investments of tens of millions of rupees have gone in vain, FMTC is also losing rental income from the godown due to its inability to manage the liquors. FMTC has deputed two security guards at the godowns. They are provided a daily wage of Rs 725 each.

Rabi Singh Sainju, former joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, said since there were many disputes with the then National Trading, the issue of what to do with these liquors also remained unsolved. "Regardless of the disputes, the concerned authorities should have already destroyed expired liquors and sold those fit for consumption," Sainju added.

Gajendra Thakur, a joint secretary who was transferred to the ministry recently, said he would work to resolve the matter at the earliest.

The godowns contain 15,009 bottles of whiskies, 8,641 bottles of brandy, and 60,600 units of canned beer. The beer cans were brought by paying $39,409. These liquors have already expired. Similarly, there are 1,327 bottles of champagne, 1,570 bottles of gin, 2,098 bottles of rum, 9,072 cherry liquors, 1,786 bottles of vodka, 18,508 bottles of wine, and 15,632 other liquors. Likewise, 129 packs of olive oil are also languishing in the godown.

Of them, 15,671 bottles of whisky, 8,609 bottles of brandy, 1,570 bottles of gin, 361 liters of rum, and 1,770 bottles of vodka are still fit for consumption. Most of these liquors are from popular brands like Beefeater, Gordon’s, Havana Club, Lamb’s, Negrita, Gautier, and Ballantine’s, among others.

Likewise, 2,119 cartons of cigarettes and tobacco and 129 packs of olive oil also need to be destroyed. Similarly, 3,725 units of nail polish, lipstick, bags, perfume, beauty cream, etc., have also expired. The procurement cost of these cosmetic products was $300,876.

Bim Bahadur Thapa, chief of the Sales and Distribution Department of FMTC, said these products cannot be destroyed immediately due to legal and environmental hurdles. “We are trying to find a solution,” he added.

Thapa said since most of these products were brought without paying customs duty, they will have to pay duty to the government if they are to be sold. “We will have to pay Rs 27.43m as duty for over 8,000 liters of liquor that are fit for consumption,” Thapa said. “Since these liquors are available at much lower rates in the market, it is becoming difficult to get rid of them.”

Ganges River Dolphin (GRD) is the indicator species of the freshwater ecosystem also recognized as flagship species. GRDs have been distributed across the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sanghu Rivers in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. GRDs are found on Floodplain Rivers of lowland Tarai region. In Nepal GRDs are supremely residents on Karnali, Gandaki and Koshi rivers. In the recent years, there have been some signs recorded as videos which indicate the occasional utilization of Bagmati River in Rautahat district by GRD which needs additional verification.

Ganges River Dolphin (GRD), a mammal of the freshwater ecosystem, is threatened both at national and international levels.  They are listed in endangered category of IUCN Red list and in Nepal they are listed as critically endangered species in latest assessment conducted in 2011. The species experiencing multitude of threats is waiting for proper conservation interventions, otherwise they would be limited to the folklore.

According to best estimates, the population of GRD is 52 individuals across the country. In the past, the species was reported from the Mahakali river, while the recent report suggest their extirpation from there and the cause of local extinction have been attributed to the construction of barrage on the migratory route of the species. In Koshi, considered the second most populated river, GRDs are found only on lowland regions below dams. In the past, Narayani used to be one of the prime habitats of Dolphin, however, after the Gandak dam was built, only one to two individuals have been sighted and in the recent year, only one individual has been sighted so far in the river. Furthermore, the species is facing tremendous pressure majorly due to anthropogenic activities like overfishing, electrofishing, poisoning across its distribution range, among others. This implies that the population of GRDs hs declined  across its range. In addition, the species is also facing challenges due to habitat fragmentation and loss mainly resulting from dam construction for hydropower and barrages for flood reduction.

The flow regulation of rivers can directly impact GRDs' habitat as they maintain their regular activities as per river's flow. The fluctuation in the river flow and the changing flow direction can adversely affect its life cycle. The construction of the dams without doing proper scientific study can destroy the aquatic habitat. This can cause river fragmentation in their habitat, distracting the movement of GRDs, which results in shrinkage in habitat of aquatic species. Those threats are also responsible for the decline of genetic variations in the aquatic species, which directly reduce the adaptive capacity of these species to a changing environment.

Water quality in the rivers is vital for the freshwater species. This is more significant to the species like GRDs, which require pure free flowing rivers. Both the decrease in quantity and quality of water in the river are detrimental to freshwater species. Agricultural and industrial runoff, including dumping pesticides, enhances the toxicity on water, thereby decreasing suitability of the river for the species. Similar pattern can be seen for the deviation in water quantity, particularly in dry season, when the waters are diverted for other purposes. The species like GRDs, which prefer deep water pools, cannot exist in such a scenario.  

Basically, humans need different ecosystem services to survive. Mother Nature has given equal rights to every species for their survival, but we are creating difficulties for innocent species out there by increasing demands and turning the environment anthropocentric.

Whenever the dolphins are occasionally observed, people mistreat them and kill them. Lack of awareness is also a formidable challenge that piles more pressure on the dolphins’ habitat. GRDs have an equal right to exist as we do. However, our activities such as excessive fishing and using destructive fishing methods are playing a part in threatening GRDs. This highlights the need to rethink the harvesting strategy and timing so that we can create a win-win situation for both humans and GRDs.

Some efforts have been made for the conservation of the species.  In the international level, regulation of the trade of species has been envisioned by listing the species in appendix I of CITES. While in Nepal, GRDs have been prioritized for the conservation indicated by preparation of a dolphin conservation action plan (2021-2025). However, efforts from the government to implement that action plan are not so promising. Some efforts have been made by national and international conservation organizations such as WWF Nepal, which is working to create positive impacts by collaborating with fishermen and to release entangled dolphins from their fishnets. These efforts are not sufficient.

As GRDs are charismatic species of the freshwater ecosystem, the flipping/jumping skills of those species is amazing that every tourist can enjoy. Local communities are unaware of these protected species’ ecological role, who can diversify their livelihood by investing in ecotourism for the tourist. Tourists may visit that specific place in greater numbers during the period when GRDs are most frequently spotted. They would definitely love to gain real information about GRDs, which might help to spread conservation messages as well.

We have to address livelihood concerns of locals, whose actions would directly or indirectly affect the dolphins. The livelihood of the locals should be diversified to reduce dependency on fishing activities. Conservation knowledge should be improved from the grassroots. Research should be conducted to collect scientific information about its habitat range, population status and behavior, etc. Relevant action plans can be implemented only if we have enough information about particular species. Furthermore, collaboration between the stakeholders is highly essential. Together, we can create a safe environment for the threatened dolphin species. 

Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire and Chair of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina have again requested President Ram Chandra Paudel to appoint general secretary of the Federal Parliament, stating that the absence of the office-holder for more than a month has been affecting the functioning of the parliament. 

The constitutional position has been lying vacant since Bharatraj Gautam tendered his resignation on Nov 10 last year.

Speaker Ghimire and NA Chair have tried to draw the president’s attention toward the matter through discussions with the latter’s legal advisor Baburam Kunwar.

Ghimire and Timilsina have recommended the appointment of Padma Prasad Pandey, secretary at the parliament, as the new general secretary.

Speaker Ghimire, after consultations with thematic committee chairs of the Parliament, told mediapersons: “I have already recommended the appointment of the general secretary and hope it will happen soon.” 

However, the Office of the President has not started the appointment process. The office has been arguing that it cannot initiate the appointment process as it is yet to accept Gautam’s resignation as HoR general secretary. 

President Paudel has also been facing charges of showing undue interest in the appointment.

Paudel, after consultations with Ghimire and NA chair Timilsina, had appointed Pandey as acting general secretary of the parliament on Nov 13 pending further arrangements.

But this appointment has not been without its share of controversies as Pandey faces charges of obtaining multiple citizenships. After receiving a complaint regarding the same, the parliamentary Public Affairs and Good Governance Committee has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to probe the matter and get it the facts. 

Driven by the dream of a better life, Hari Prasad Aryal left his hometown of Waling, Syangja, in October 2023 and flew to Russia. 

The 23-year-old, who had served in the Nepal Army for nearly three years, enlisted himself in the Russian Armed Forces and was soon thrust into the battlefield with the Ukrainian army. Hari lost his life sometime in December last year. 

Until December 8, Hari kept in touch with his family, sharing snippets of his life in the foreign military. However, the prolonged silence raised concerns, and his family, desperate for answers, reached out to his friends. Hari’s middle brother, Raju, told ApEx that they learned about Hari’s death through other Nepali enlistees in the Russian army. The government would confirm his demise only in January.

Hari, the youngest of three sons, had initially joined the Nepal Army after completing his twelfth grade. But fueled by a desire for better financial prospects, he left the army to explore opportunities in foreign security forces. His ambitions unfortunately led to his untimely death.

Hari’s parents Rudra Prasad and Balkumari have been devastated by the loss of a son who harbored dreams of giving his family a better life. 

Despite Rudra Prasad receiving a pension from his previous work in India, it proves insufficient for the family. Hari's two brothers, Kamal and Raju, sought employment in Dubai for better opportunities. 

Kamal, the eldest, couldn't attend Hari’s last rites, having returned to Dubai just five months ago. Raju, currently home for Dashain-Tihar celebrations, extended his leave upon hearing the tragic news and plans to return to Dubai in the second week of February.

 “We don’t find good job opportunities here. If our salaries could cover family expenses, none of us would have sought employment abroad,” said Raju.

The Aryal family hails from Mankhu, located just half an hour's drive from the district headquarters, Waling. Despite owning a small piece of farmland, crop damage caused by monkeys forced them to leave the village, and they now live in a rented apartment in Waling.

“Hari's dream of building a good house for his parents remains unfulfilled,” said his uncle Buddhi Aryal. 

Rudra Prasad, nearing 80 and grappling with asthma, frequently succumbs to emotional breakdowns as he reminisces about his youngest son.

Despite discussions with authorities to repatriate Hari’s body, the family were informed of the impossibility. So the family performed the last rites without the physical presence of the deceased, using a small dummy made of Kush grass to symbolize Hari's body. The funeral rites were carried out on the banks of the Kali Gandaki river recently. 

Hari’s social media presence painted a picture of a young man in the Russian military uniform, sharing moments from his life in the military. In a poignant video posted on October 28, Hari can be seen singing a song about the plight of migrant workers, surrounded by fellow Nepalis in Russian military gear. 

His last post on December 4 featured a video of friends heading to the warfront with the caption: “Life is like this, we will meet if we come back, otherwise…”