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An international conference on snow leopard conservation, convened in Nepal recently, brought together experts, academicians, researchers, and policymakers from the 12 snow leopard range countries to strengthen scientific collaboration and conservation efforts. The conference focused on cross-border coordination and knowledge exchange to ensure the long-term survival of the snow leopard.

Current population estimation by Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) shows there are 4,000 to 6,500 snow leopards globally. China has the highest number of snow leopard population with an estimate of 2,000-2,500. There are between 100–200 individuals in Afghanistan and Bhutan, 718 in India, 100–110 in Kazakhstan, 150–500 in Kyrgyzstan, 127 in Mongolia, 200–420 in Pakistan, 70–90 in Russia, 180–220 in Tajikistan and 20–50 in Uzbekistan. The species is currently listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List category.

However, habitat fragmentation, climate change, human-wildlife conflict, illegal trade and linear infrastructure development have emerged as growing threats to the survival of these species in the range countries. During the three-day conference—jointly organized by Peking University, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Tencent Foundation and the Shan Shui Conservation Center—participants shared national efforts, scientific findings and regional challenges. The conference concluded with the adoption of the six-points ‘Kathmandu resolution on collaboration for snow leopard conservation’ that focuses on community-based conservation, transboundary cooperation, climate change mitigation, conflict resolution, feral dog threats, disease control and technology transfer.

GSLEP has aimed to secure at least 24 snow leopard landscapes across its range. The Snow leopard landscape is defined as an area with at least 100 breeding age snow leopards supported by connectivity and adequate prey populations. Nepal has three out of the 24 snow leopard landscapes- Eastern, Central and the Western landscape.

There are many actions that can be taken in snow leopard conservation on a regional scale. By strengthening trans boundary collaboration and habitat connectivity can secure the snow leopard habitat. It will also help to know the behavior and moment status of this range species. Sharing the data and creating a common data sharing platform will help to know more about this species in the high mountain. During the conference, participants urged to develop a policy recommendation for wildlife friendly border management practices and trans boundary peace parks. If the range countries’ governments agree on it, this will be a giant leap not only in snow leopard conservation with the whole wildlife species.

Engaging local people in conservation can help to secure the wildlife habitat. For example, Other effective area based conservation measures (OECMs) declaration can be a way to engage the local people in conservation thereby engaging locals in wildlife monitoring, citizen scientists methods, partnership and regular patrolling activities. Creating OECMs can be a new practice. As we are in the brink of a climate crisis, vulnerability assessment is a key indicator to know the habitat status so that resilient habitat can be protected. One of the best measures is to promote the use of technologies. Technology advancement and data sharing will help to manage the population and ecosystem habitats.  Creating a foraging habitat for prey species and rangeland management can increase the prey species’ ungulates population which can help to reduce the livestock predation.

As discussed in the snow leopard conference, we need to address the issue of habitat fragmentation due to climate change, illegal trade, human-wildlife conflict, and infrastructure development. Cross-border cooperation is also another factor to be addressed as many snow leopard habitats span national boundaries.

Nepal's recent snow leopard survey has estimated 397 snow leopards which is about 10 percent of the global population. The survey is based on using the camera trapping, genetic analysis, spatial monitoring, use of citizen scientists and other advanced technologies and modelling. The population density is estimated at 1.56 individuals per 100 sq. km.

However there are still challenges as 42 percent of snow leopard habitats lie outside of protected areas where habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Around 60 percent of Nepal’s snow leopard population is found in the western region. However, due to climate change and habitat degradation, approximately 40 percent of its habitat has been lost. To address these issues, Nepal has made a six year Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan 2024–2030 to strengthen conservation efforts and ensure long-term survival. The action plan envisions a budget of $14.24m but securing the fund is challenging in the present context.

Lastly, Snow leopards do not have their borders and their habitat should be protected beyond the political habitat to ensure their survival. Science must remain neutral and collaborative in the midst of political tensions between the range countries these days. Conservation is a result of long-term commitment so, saving the snow leopard is not only about conservation, it is about saving the souls of the Himalaya and High Mountain.

Storage is one of the most important aspects of every home. We all need it and lots of it too. But it’s often the one thing we lack. As we accumulate stuff over the years, we run out of space to keep them all and find ourselves struggling to manage our homes.

Proper storage can be a lifesaver. And the good thing is that you don’t need big homes for extra storage space. There are plenty of ingenious ideas that you can use to maximize storage space in your homes. Here we present some great storage solutions that can help you keep your home clutter free (and no, we aren’t going to tell you to stow things under the bed).

Functional coffee tables and ottomans

A great coffee table can make your living space come alive but it can also double as storage. These days, you can get tables with hidden storage space underneath them or those with shelves on the sides instead of legs. You can also customize your own coffee table to suit your needs. Build a deep one with storage inside or choose one where the top moves to varying heights depending on how much stuff you put underneath. You can also use ottomans as coffee tables. You simply have to put a wooden or metallic tray on top to display items you normally would like vases or coasters on the center table. Ottomans are great storage solutions as they look sleek and can be made in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Baskets and boxes

Pretty baskets and boxes can be used to store things out of sight. From towels and toilet paper to charging cables and makeup items, you can store almost anything in big wicker baskets or lovely paper boxes with interesting designs on them. This will help keep your home tidy as well as maintain a sense of order. Most of the time, similar things tend to be kept in different drawers and in many places. Grouping them together and storing them in boxes and baskets can save space and help you find them easily when you need them. We suggest you get paper boxes in the same color to store similar items. For example, get green boxes for cords and electrical items, yellow for makeup and other personal knick knacks, and blue for medicines and such supplies. This can help you identify items without having to open each box.

Hidden storage spaces

You can have a local carpenter build simple shelves and cabinets in unused spaces like below the staircase and forgotten corners of your home like the awkward space between two rooms or the landing of the stairs. You can find many great designs on Pinterest and even Instagram. You can also strategically stow filing cabinets in corners of your home to maximize space or build concealed shelves along the walls. There are plenty of sleek cabinet designs that merge seamlessly on the walls. If you have a window space that is unused, consider building a seating area along the length of it. You can have storage underneath the seats. This idea can also be used in dining table benches or your living room sofa. The key here is to look at furniture pieces with a fresh eye and figure out which can double as storage space.

Kitchen island

Kitchen spaces need to be functional and practical. But they also tend to be the most under-utilized space in terms of storage. Just because a kitchen is where you cook your meals doesn’t mean it can’t be a space where you can aesthetically store your utensils and equipment. A kitchen island can be a great way to incorporate functionality into your space while adding tons of storage to it. Consider building one in the center of your kitchen. The top can be used to do all the work like chopping and prepping for meals while you can store pretty much anything in the cabinets and drawers underneath. If you think having an island at the center of your kitchen might make the area seem congested, you can also build a smaller one on one side of the area to ensure it doesn’t get in the way.

Revamp your entryway

Oftentimes, the entryway in your homes is the most unused and empty space in the house. At the most, we will have a table there to drop our keys and wallets. Otherwise it’s just a place that connects your front door to the rest of the house, a space you don’t give much thought to while decorating. Make use of this space while trying to maximize storage in your home. You don’t need a large lobby area to do this. A simple bench with storage underneath to put your shoes and maybe a rack to hang your bags and coats can keep this area from becoming cluttered. You can also use a large cabinet to partition the area from the rest of your space and use this as additional storage. 

The steel industry is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases and is responsible for nearly 7-9 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, primarily due to its extensive application of fossil fuels like coal in conventional blast furnaces. As global warming intensifies, economies worldwide are confronted with the necessity to decarbonize and align with international climate regulations, for instance, negotiations in COP 26 conference to limit the rise in the global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Green steel has thus emerged as a revolutionary solution for industrial decarbonization, offering a cleaner option to conventional steel manufacturing. Unlike traditional steel, which is produced using coal, green steel is produced using processes that avoid or minimize carbon emissions by utilizing renewable energy sources such as green hydrogen powered by clean electricity. By investing in green hydrogen production, Nepal can be a front-runner in South Asia's clean energy transition, reducing its dependence on fossil fuel imports and enabling a circular economy.

Conventional vs green steel

Over the last two fiscal years, Nepal’s coal imports have risen to meet growing industrial demand, led by steel production. Coal imports during FY 2023-24 totaled about 1.17m tons, from 1.09m in FY 2022-23. From an environmental perspective, 2.83m tons of carbon dioxide was emitted by the coal imports in FY 2023-24. Moreover, conventional steelmaking is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions—releasing up to 1.8 to 2.9 tons of CO₂ per tonne of steel by employing the conventional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route. At the same time, electric arc furnace steel (to which the Nepali industry is increasingly shifting) yields around 0.6 tons of CO₂ per ton, especially using scrap or sponge iron. Green steel, manufactured from green hydrogen as a reducing agent rather than coal, is almost carbon neutral. It is reported that around 50 kg of hydrogen is required to produce 1 tonne of steel. Nonetheless, green steel production is initially very costly due to the high price of green hydrogen and renewable infrastructure. 

Import trends

​Nepal has approximately 83 registered iron and steel industries, with 54 specializing in Thermo-Mechanically Treated (TMT) bar manufacturing. The country’s steel melting capacity has significantly increased over recent years, crossing 2m tonnes per annum. In FY 2023-24, Nepal’s total steel and iron market was estimated to be more than $1.12bn and is expected to increase in the upcoming years. Nepal obtains 80 percent of its necessary raw iron materials from India through imports that include MS billets, steel sheets and MS wire. Steel melting capacities in Nepal have grown beyond 2m tons per year during the last few years. In fiscal year 2023-24, Nepal’s sponge iron imports increased by 55 percent year-on-year, reaching a total of around 800,000 tonnes, from 500,000 tonnes in FY 2022-23. Moreover, the total import of iron and steel for FY 2023-24 was reported to be around 1.8m tonnes, and that for FY 2022-23 was reported to be around 1.6m tonnes, highlighting the importance of steel industries in Nepal. 

Nepal’s iron ore reserves

Nepal is aggressively upgrading its iron ore mining capacity to increase local steel production and reduce reliance on costly imports. Nepal has around 10 major iron ore deposits and several minor occurrences across the country, with a total estimated reserve of approximately 208m tonnes, which is expected to be sufficient to meet the country’s steel demand for the next 100 years. Thosey in Ramechhap district is believed to be the oldest iron and steel ore deposit discovered in Nepal with the mine being established in 1893 at Ekan Phedi which was later relocated to Thosey. 

Some of the most extensive reserves lie in the Jhumlabang deposits of Rukum East and the Dhaubadi reserves in Nawalparasi East. Jhumlabang is the biggest iron ore deposit that contains around 200m tonnes of hematite ore in 100 hectares, and Dhaubadi has around 99m tonnes in the same hectare. Moreover, Dhaubadi Iron Company Limited has sent iron ore samples from the Dhaubadi deposit in Nawalparasi to China for a detailed analysis. 

Preliminary results indicate that producing sponge iron is the most feasible option based on the ore’s composition. Currently, the company is in the process of preparing a detailed project report (DPR) to move forward with commercial production. Other deposits at Thoshe (Ramechhap), Labdi Khola (Tanahun), Jirbang and Chitwan provide more chances to boost national production. To utilize these resources, the government has initiated mining development projects at the Jhumlabang and Dhaubadi sites. Major companies like Jagdamba Steels, Jay Ambe Steel, Narayani Ispat and Sarbottam Steel have contributed to this growth through substantial investments. 

A technological impediment

Nepal faces a severe technological barrier since it needs modern reduction systems based on hydrogen together with advanced electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen for steelmaking. The technologies possess substantial capital requirements along with specialized expertise that Nepal currently does not possess. The steel sector of Nepal depends heavily on blast furnace technology, which requires coal as a reduction agent to operate. 

Moving toward green steel operations demands extensive facility upgrades, which both require enormous funding and take a significant amount of time. The government must provide full-scale policy backing for the transition through green hydrogen production subsidies or tax breaks along with R&D funding and industrial regulatory standards that encourage sustainable practices in the industrial sector. Progress in clean energy and industrial decarbonization will face delays because of insufficient permanent policies. Private investors face challenges securing investments for green steel projects as they are reluctant to fund long-term initiatives that depend on unproven new technologies. 

The path ahead

The potential exists for Nepal to establish itself as a sustainable steel production leader through hydropower resource utilization together with its local iron ore reserves. Nepal can reduce its carbon footprint and establish a circular economy by confronting these barriers, decreasing its need for imported coal and iron ore. 

​According to the white paper, Nepal’s estimated installed hydropower capacity is expected to be 28,500 MW by 2035, while the peak demand only reaches 7,581 MW, leaving a surplus of around 21,000 MW. Without proper planning, more than half of the surplus electricity could go waste, which would create a loss of more than Rs 5trn per year. However, if only 10,000 MW of surplus electricity were used, it could generate 1500 kilo tonnes of green hydrogen annually, which could in turn generate around 30m tonnes of green steel, which is well above the expected steel demands. Moreover, 30m tonnes of green steel could generate a yearly revenue of Rs 22.5trn. Producing 30m tonnes of steel using conventional processes would mean consumption of 23m tonnes of coal and release of more than 50 million tonnes of CO2 in the atmosphere. Hence, by strategically utilizing its surplus hydropower and iron ore, Nepal has a unique opportunity to lead in green steel production, significantly reducing carbon emissions and generating substantial revenue.

US President Trump says India, Pakistan have agreed to full, immediate ceasefire. US President Donald Trump said that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire.

Trump announced the ceasefire from his account on the Truth Social Platform. “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire,” he said.

“Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence,” he added. Both India and Pakistan have confirmed that two countries have reached an agreement.