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In the age of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the world has witnessed remarkable advancements, offering opportunities and conveniences to individuals, businesses, and governments alike. However, with these technological leaps, the specter of cybercrimes and threats looms large, necessitating the formulation and enforcement of robust cybersecurity laws. In the absence of traditional policies addressing the vast realm of cyberspace, criminals have exploited ICT advancements, demanding international collaboration to combat the borderless nature of cybercrime.

Law, often described as a system of rules with binding legal force, plays a pivotal role in maintaining societal peace and order. In the context of cyberspace, it gives rise to what is commonly referred to as Cyber Law or the Law of the Internet. This evolving field within international law aims to address a myriad of illegal activities in cyberspace, including cyber-bullying, piracy, hacking, and more.

Nepal, recognizing the importance of safeguarding its cyberspace, has put in place a comprehensive legal framework. The Constitution of Nepal, adopted in 2015, guarantees fundamental rights related to cyber activities, including the Right to Information, Right to Communication, and Right to Privacy. The Electronic Transactions Act (ETA) of 2063, Nepal’s first cyber law, legalizes electronic communication and transactions, covering electronic records, digital signatures, computer networks, and offenses related to cybercrimes.

In the realm of cybersecurity, Nepal has embraced various legal instruments, acts, policies, and guidelines to govern cyber activities. These include the Online Child Safety Guidelines issued by the National Telecommunication Authority (NTA) to prevent child abuse through ICT, and the Copyright Act of 2059, which protects copyright, including computer programs. The Individual Privacy Act of 2018 safeguards the right to privacy in Nepal, prohibiting the transfer of personal data without the owner’s consent.

Nepal has also been proactive in addressing the challenges posed by the rapid growth of technology. The Information Technology Bill of 2075, currently in the finalization process, aims to replace the Electronic Transactions Act as the primary law for cyberspace. However, concerns have been raised about potential limitations on freedom of expression, violation of data privacy, and increased surveillance.

To bolster cybersecurity, Nepal introduced the Cyber Security Byelaw in 2077, framed by the NTA under the Telecommunications Act. This byelaw aims to implement cybersecurity standards, protecting ICT infrastructure and information systems from malicious attacks. It mandates regular security audits for Telecommunication and Internet Service Providers, promoting a robust cybersecurity ecosystem.

The National Security Policy of 2075, issued by the Ministry of Defense, recognizes the misuse of science, technology, and modern equipment as factors influencing national security. It identifies the abuse of modern technology in crimes as challenges and threats related to law and order. In line with the Digital Nepal vision, the National Information and Communication Technology Policy of 2015 addresses cybersecurity and law issues, proposing the establishment of an IT Tribunal system, a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), and a cyber-security cell.

The National Cybersecurity Policy of 2016, drafted by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, aims to govern and address global challenges in cyberspace. It proposes the establishment of the National Cyber Security Strategy Working Group and the National CERT of Nepal, responsible for providing cybersecurity services to various entities, including the government, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and the public.

Institutional mechanisms in Nepal play a crucial role in enforcing and implementing cybersecurity measures. The Office of the Controller of Certifying Authority, established in 2007, licenses Certifying Authorities (CAs) under the Electronic Transactions Act, creating a secure environment for internet, email, and online transactions. The National Information Technology Center (NITC), established in 2001, serves as a data bank, assists in computerizing governmental records, and implements e-services.

The Cyber Bureau Nepal, a part of the Nepali Police, is tasked with investigating cybercrimes, coordinating and cooperating on cybersecurity, preparing police manpower for cybercrimes, and exchanging information nationally and internationally. Accessibility for reporting cybercrime complaints is enhanced through email communication at [email protected].

Collaboration with non-governmental organizations and industry associations is essential for a holistic approach to cybersecurity. The Internet Service Providers' Association of Nepal (ISPAN), established in 1998, works closely with the NTA, Nepal Telecom, and the Ministry of Information and Communications to address issues affecting ISP projects. The Information Security Response Team Nepal (NPCERT), established in 2016, acts as the nation’s flagship cyber defense, incident response, and operational integration center.

Non-profit organizations like the Internet Society Nepal (ISOC, Nepal) and initiatives like the Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CSRI) contribute significantly to raising awareness and fostering innovation in cybersecurity. ISOC, Nepal focuses on the concept of a ‘safe internet for all’, following international standards and addressing relevant topics. CSRI, established as part of the cybersecurity domain Research Program, plays a crucial role in delivering impactful industry-focused cybersecurity analysis findings and innovative solutions.

Challenges

Limited awareness and education

One of the significant hurdles Nepal faces is the limited awareness and education regarding cybersecurity. Many individuals and businesses are unaware of potential threats and lack the knowledge to protect themselves effectively. This knowledge gap creates a breeding ground for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.

Inadequate infrastructure

The country is grappling with inadequate technological infrastructure, hindering the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures. Insufficient internet penetration and outdated systems make it challenging to establish a secure digital environment. 

Lack of regulatory framework

Nepal’s regulatory framework for cybersecurity is still evolving. The absence of comprehensive and up-to-date laws and regulations leaves gaps that cybercriminals can exploit. A clear and enforceable legal framework is essential to deter cybercrimes and provide a basis for prosecution.

Insufficient collaboration

Cyber threats are borderless, and effective cybersecurity requires collaboration across sectors and borders. In Nepal, there is a need for improved collaboration between government agencies, private businesses, and international organizations. Siloed efforts hinder the ability to share threat intelligence and respond promptly to emerging cyber threats.

Shortage of skilled professionals

The shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals is a global challenge, and Nepal is no exception. The demand for experts

in this field far exceeds the supply. This scarcity hampers the country's ability to develop and implement advanced cybersecurity strategies.

Suggestions

Educational initiatives

To address the awareness and education gap, Nepal should invest in comprehensive educational initiatives. These could include cybersecurity awareness campaigns, training programs for individuals and businesses, and the integration of cybersecurity education into the formal curriculum at all levels.

Infrastructure development

Prioritizing the development of technological infrastructure is crucial. Nepal should invest in upgrading its internet connectivity, supporting the adoption of secure communication protocols, and encouraging businesses to invest in modern and secure IT systems.

Strengthening regulatory framework

The government should expedite the development and implementation of a robust regulatory framework for cybersecurity. This includes legislation that defines cybercrimes, prescribes penalties, and establishes mechanisms for reporting and responding to incidents. Regular updates to the legal framework are essential to keep pace with evolving cyber threats.

Enhanced collaboration

Nepal should foster collaboration between government agencies, private sector entities, and international partners. Establishing a national cybersecurity coordination center can facilitate information sharing, incident response, and joint efforts to combat cyber threats. Cross-border collaboration is equally vital to address threats that transcend national boundaries.

Investment in skill development

Initiatives to bridge the skills gap should be a priority. The government, in collaboration with private sector partners, can establish training programs, cybersecurity academies, and scholarship opportunities to encourage individuals to pursue careers in cybersecurity. 

The author is pursuing BA LLB at Kathmandu School of Law

Have you ever stopped to wonder why our city seems perpetually shrouded in pollution and mired in chaos? Kathmandu now ranks as the seventh most polluted city in the world. The air we breathe has become increasingly unhealthy, but what alternatives do we have? Unfortunately, there are very few. We’re forced to inhale harmful pollutants with every breath, trapped in a cycle of environmental degradation.

Dust permeates every corner, with masks now a ubiquitous sight reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic. The beautiful city of Kathmandu has turned into a dusty, polluted landscape where even breathing is a struggle. Is this the fate we’ve resigned ourselves to? What’s behind this alarming deterioration?

Our carbon emissions are going up. It seems that a bike is necessary for a simple trip to the store, and a car for city exploration. Few are willing to rely on their own two feet for transportation, exacerbating the problem. The emissions from vehicles, including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) significantly degrade Kathmandu's air quality, posing serious health risks.

Furthermore, the widespread use of air conditioners only adds to the environmental strain. The haphazard construction of buildings, often at the expense of trees and hills, coupled with the indiscriminate burning of plastics and waste further compounds the issue. The once-clear view of the mountains is now obscured by polluted air.

Kathmandu, nestled like a bowl amidst verdant hills, traps pollutants within its confines, exacerbating the problem. Dust and dirt pervade every aspect of life, turning even a white T-shirt black by day’s end. It’s disheartening to witness the accumulation of grime on items left outside.

Blame cannot solely be placed on the government; individuals must also take responsibility for their actions. Those who fought for democracy and brought about change in our country must be able to effect change once again. By uniting, we can make a difference. What if we opted for communal transportation like buses instead of individual vehicles? What if we chose to walk short distances rather than rely on motorbikes?

We’re all too familiar with the health consequences of living in such a polluted city: Asthma, heart diseases, lung cancer, and more. It’s imperative that we assess our carbon footprint and remain conscious of our actions. The environment cannot wait for us to act; it’s time to transform our dusty bowl into a harmonious sanctuary. Our environment profoundly impacts our health, and it’s up to us to improve it. Though it may not have been our top priority, the environment cannot be neglected any longer.

Kalpana Aryal, a 40-year-old homemaker lady, talks about how switching to electric cooking instead of gas allowed her to lower her LPG bills and how this altered her daily cooking schedule because it is dependable and convenient. Kalpana started using electric cooking three years ago, and she hasn't looked back since.

This means a considerable saving of the LPG bill, which costs around Rs 1,900 per cylinder. “Households can slash their LPG bills if housewives are trained about the usage and accessibility of E-cooking,” Aryal says: It is a smart, affordable, accessible and simple method of cooking.

Electric cooking has the potential to improve the quality of life for people who cook using biomass, both by improving health by eradicating harmful emissions and by removing the need to collect fuelwood, thus freeing up time for other activities. Per some estimates, 63.6 percent of Nepali households, primarily those in rural regions, still primarily utilize biomass for cooking, accounting for 69 percent of the country’s primary energy usage. 

Conventional biomass cookstoves emit a lot of smoke and are inefficient. These burners expose women and children to dangerous toxins in kitchens with inadequate ventilation. Women also frequently have to walk great distances to gather firewood, and cleaning a kitchen covered in smoke residue is a tedious task.

Notably, 33.1 percent of Nepali homes use bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is also being used more and more frequently as their primary cooking fuel. In less than five percent of Nepali homes, cooking is done with electricity. Susil Shrestha, an electric appliances seller based in Mahaboudhha, says electrical cooking devices are in high demand as they are effective in terms of cost and time both. The government’s positive impetus on the use of these devices is also fueling the demand, per Shrestha. 

The right to live in a hygienic and safe environment is guaranteed to residents of Nepal under the Constitution and by 2030, all Nepali households are expected to have clean cooking. Electricity and LPG are currently the government’s two most promising technological solutions when it comes to renewable energy. The government wants to encourage electric cooking because of Nepal’s enormous solar and hydropower potential. 

This is due to the fact that LPG not only adds to carbon dioxide emissions but also depletes Nepal’s meager foreign exchange reserves and increases its reliance on fuel imports, leading to energy instability. The Nepal Electricity Authority makes investments in distribution system reinforcement in order to achieve this aim. 

Biraj Gautam, CEO of PEEDA, adds the widespread of electric cooking awareness in urban areas than in rural. He adds “There is no denying the financial advantages of switching to electric stoves: Less reliance on imported LPG gas will accumulate valuable foreign exchange reserves, which can subsequently be directed toward more fruitful industries that support the advancement of the country. Beyond the financial benefits, Nepal’s goals for sustainable development are ideally aligned with the use of electric stoves. Since electricity is a greener and cleaner energy source, it is essential for lowering carbon emissions and lessening the negative effects of climate change.”

The Department of Customs’ (DoC) records offer factual proof of Nepal’s transition to electric stoves, a move that has numerous potential advantages for the country. Nepal imported an astounding 204,393 electric stove units in the fiscal year 2022-23 alone, spending a total of Rs 425.47m. This astounding number not only demonstrates the increasing interest from consumers, but it also represents a move toward more economical and ecologically responsible cooking methods. It is impossible to overlook the notable surge in the quantity of electric stoves acquired, which represents a whopping 30 percent increase over the previous fiscal. A significant trend toward the usage of electric stoves in homes is indicated by an growth rate. Indicating a wide range of consumer preferences, 130,745 induction stoves and 73,648 infrared stoves made up the total number of imported units. This paradigm shift has far-reaching and profound repercussions.

Former NEA MD and Pulchowk Engineering College professor Mukesh Kafle emphasizes “the need for an in-depth assessment of Nepal’s energy infrastructure in light of the surge in imports of electric stoves. A regular and consistent supply of electricity would be necessary to keep up the momentum and promote the widespread use of electric stoves. Without which, cooking online would only become a hassle.” He adds that if every person in a nation wants to switch to electric cooking, there won’t be enough electricity. He also offers his insightful commentary on the government’s repeated delays in finishing various hydropower storage projects, which prevents us from using the hydropower that sustains our nation.

Due to the limited electricity supply and simple access to rural places, cooking with electrical appliances is still problematic in Nepal. Only five amps of current can be used in a majority of Nepal’s older dwellings. While electricity is easy to use in new homes, there are other issues like intermittent load-shedding, only half-light systems, problems when cooking materials malfunction in electrical appliances, the inability to get it in Nepal, and concerns about the quality, availability and taste of food.

As a result, Nepal Electricity Authority and associated parties must take note of it. To ensure a prosperous future for their population, governments must constantly adjust to new paradigms in a world marked by rapid technical innovation and environmental conscience. Nepal, a nation blessed with stunning scenery and a rich cultural legacy, is welcoming change in one crucial area: The energy sector.

In opposition to what Mukesh Kafle claimed, the current MD of the NEA, MR. Kulman Ghising, argues that there is a production difference in power during the wet and dry seasons. He describes the “trade mechanism that involves purchasing electricity from them during the dry season and exporting it during the dry season.” Several reservoir projects and storage projects, such as the 140 MW Tanahu water project, are in the works to fill these gaps.

Electricity must be readily available, dependable and reasonably priced in order for electric cooking to become widely used in Nepal, as was previously said. Although Nepal possesses enormous hydropower potential, run-of-the-river (RoR) plants are the only way to fully utilize this potential. There are very few strategically viable seasonal storage projects, and developing them comes with a significant social, environmental and financial cost. Thus, in order to supplement RoR and storage hydropower plants with solar PV plants that can generate energy throughout the day, when solar resources are accessible, and during the dry season, the government must develop an electricity generation policy. 

In Nepal, the vertically integrated NEA’s monopoly is another impediment to innovation in the power sector. Rent-seeking,political patronage and labor unions’ powerful influence have all contributed to the institutional lock-in that has come from this. In light of this, decomposing the resulting monolithic distribution company into seven provincial distribution companies and quickly unbundling NEA into distinct generation, transmission and distribution companies could encourage additional advancements in the field of electricity distribution.

In order to fix the price of power based on supply and demand, the government will need to create a differential energy tariff system. Since there would be less demand for electricity when it is in excess, the price of electricity would be cheaper. To encourage electric cooking in particular, a pricing structure of this kind for residential consumers may be developed. In addition, a big public education effort regarding the financial and ecological advantages of using electricity for cooking will need to be launched by the government. Using electric cooking will be encouraged in part by this. We need to acknowledge the various initiatives in this respect that the government and its agencies have become involved in, with cooperation from the business and non-governmental sectors.

Without a doubt, Nepal’s growing interest in electric stoves represents a constructive and revolutionary change that is consistent with the objectives of the worldwide sustainability movement. To take advantage of this momentum, the government needs to make sure that everyone in the country has access to reliable and effective electricity. By doing this, Nepal may significantly lower the amount of LPG gas it imports, protecting its foreign exchange reserves, promoting environmental preservation, and promoting economic growth. 

The increasing use of electric stoves should be viewed as a sign of development, leading Nepal toward a more prosperous, independent and ecologically conscious future. In order to encourage the use of electric cooking over LPG cooking, the government must put a great deal of effort into developing and implementing sensible policies. Government, non-government and private sectors must work together closely and coordinate their efforts to create a smoke-free environment and enable all Nepali households to use clean, renewable electricity produced locally for cooking. This will go a long way toward helping Nepal achieve its goal of becoming a net zero-carbon nation by 2050.

The government should be commended for the positive progress and provide strategic assistance for the recent increase in the import of electric stoves and cooking devices. The advancement of electric stoves should be seen as a sign of progress that moves Nepal toward a future that is not only brighter, but also more self-sufficient and environment-friendly. Now is the time to act as Nepal moves toward sustainability and prosperity for all.

This story has been produced under the program, #CommunicatingClimate is an initiative under the Climate Champion Action Network (CACN)

Over 300 artists from 11 countries showcased various cultural performances at a program jointly organized by Vajra Kala Kunja and the Ancient Monument Conservation Research Society in Basantpur, Jhochhen, Kathmandu on March 8. The cultural extravaganza aimed to celebrate and safeguard the rich tapestry of global art and heritage.

According to the organizers, the essence of the program lay in the preservation and promotion of original art and culture, cultivating a deeper understanding of diverse cultures worldwide. It also served as a platform for cultural exchange, fostering collaboration among nations, and contributing to the promotion of tourism.

The participating artists were from different nations, including Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Estonia, Germany, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, and South Africa. Each brought their unique cultural traditions to the forefront. Their collective presence underscored the universality of art and its power to bridge geographical and cultural divides.

Through a vibrant display of talent and tradition, the event not only celebrated cultural diversity but also fostered a spirit of unity and collaboration among nations, enriching the cultural landscape of Kathmandu and leaving a lasting impact on the attendees.