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Nepal is home to three otter species—the Eurasian otter, the smooth-coated otter, and the Asian small-clawed otter—but these charismatic creatures are facing an uphill battle for survival. Habitat destruction, illegal fishing, pollution, and human encroachment are pushing these species to the brink. However, a new initiative led by WWF Nepal, funded by the UK government’s Darwin Initiative, is working to address these challenges by integrating otter conservation with community empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. While the project has shown promise, it also highlights the complex interplay between conservation efforts and the needs of local communities.

The Eurasian otter, locally known as the black otter, is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and degradation. The smooth-coated otter, listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, is distinguished by its sleek fur and social behavior, while the Asian small-clawed otter, the smallest of the three, lives in large social groups and is particularly vulnerable to human disturbances. All three species depend on healthy freshwater ecosystems—clean, flowing rivers, sandy banks, and dense riparian forests—but these habitats are under severe pressure from illegal fishing, sand mining, deforestation, and pollution.

In response, WWF Nepal launched the Strengthening Communities’ Livelihood and Stewardship to Conserve Otters in Karnali project. The initiative aims to protect otter habitats while supporting the livelihoods of marginalized communities, such as the Sonaha and Tharu, who rely on the Karnali River for their survival. “The idea is to reduce pressure on river resources by providing communities with sustainable alternatives,” explains Aashish Kapali, Freshwater Program Associate at WWF Nepal. “If we can empower these communities to make sustainable decisions, it will benefit both people and wildlife.”

Otters depend on healthy freshwater ecosystems, including deep river channels, clean flowing water, sandy riverbanks, and dense riparian forests. However, these habitats are being degraded by illegal fishing, sand mining, deforestation, and pollution. Interestingly, Kapali, who has been working in the otter area for two years, has not seen a live otter. “It is a shy animal and is not seen frequently, so it faces more indirect threats than direct ones,” he says.

Six key otter habitat hotspots have been identified in Lumbini’s Bardiya (Tikuligadh, Rajipur, Tihuni, and Chhedia) and Sudurpaschim’s Kailali (Phanta and Nuklipur). The project focuses on four key areas: community-based river management, livelihood diversification, strengthening governance and law enforcement, and developing a national otter conservation plan.

Along the Karnali River, 15 Community River Stretch Management Groups (CRSMGs) have been established, comprising 375 members—68 percent of whom are women. These groups monitor river health, promote sustainable fishing practices, and collaborate with government agencies to enforce regulations. However, challenges remain.

Buddhi Singh Tharu, a 59-year-old member of a river monitoring group, points to the dumping site on the banks of the Karnali River in Tikapur Municipality, Kailali, as a major source of pollution. “Garbage leaks into the river, affecting otter habitats,” he says. He also highlights the disturbance caused by motorboats operated by Rajapur Municipality in Bardiya, which are marketed as a tourist attraction but disrupt otters, dolphins, and other wildlife.

Livelihood diversification is a cornerstone of the project. By providing training and resources, the initiative is helping communities transition from river-dependent livelihoods to sustainable enterprises. On-farm initiatives include training in vegetable farming, betel leaf cultivation, pig farming, and fish farming, while off-farm programs offer alternatives such as hospitality training, handicraft production, tailoring courses, and driving instruction.

Sudha Chaudhary, a 45-year-old farmer from Bardiya, is one of the beneficiaries. She now grows tomatoes and chilies on her 500-square-meter farm and has seen a significant improvement in her income. “Last season, I made a profit of around Rs 50,000,” she says. “Farming has become our primary source of income, and we no longer rely on the river.” 

Program Associate Kapali states that the project team assessed the intensity of fishing activities and the dependence of families on the river before selecting beneficiaries.

Photos: WWF Nepal

The project also aims to strengthen governance and law enforcement by enhancing the capacity of government agencies to regulate illegal fishing and the over-extraction of river resources. Additionally, a national otter conservation plan is being developed to ensure long-term protection for otters and other aquatic species. “We’ve drafted a Smooth-Coated Otter Conservation Action Plan based on insights from 158 participants across 13 sites in Nepal,” says Kapali. “The goal is to create a framework that balances conservation with community needs.”

Despite these efforts, the project faces significant challenges. Pollution, illegal fishing, and habitat degradation remain persistent threats, and the success of the initiative depends on the active participation of local communities. To raise awareness, the project introduced Sakhi, an otter mascot whose name means ‘friend’ in the Tharu language, and selected 45 ‘Otter Champions’ to lead conservation campaigns.

Arun Sonaha, a 27-year-old Otter Champion from Rajapur-1, has been actively sharing his knowledge about otter conservation with other young people. “Communities have adapted their livelihoods to support otter conservation,” he says. Saraswati Sonaha, a 21-year-old tailoring trainee, hopes to open her own shop once her training is complete. “My family depended on the river, but I want to start my own business,” she says. “Otters should be protected for future generations.”

Kapali explains that the project has provided sewing machines to all 15 trainees and will offer additional support if they decide to start their own businesses after the training. “However, we don’t provide 100 percent funding. If they invest a share themselves, they will feel a greater sense of ownership,” he says.

The project’s impact extends beyond individual success stories. Three local cooperatives—Deuthan Krishi Cooperative, Sharad Saana Kishan Cooperative, and Shree Bindeshwori Cooperative—have been strengthened, offering loans, training, and support to over 180 community members. Bhagawati Shah, chairperson of the Sharad Saana Kishan Cooperative, explains that the cooperative provides loans of up to Rs 40,000 at a six percent interest rate without collateral to eligible beneficiaries who present a business plan. “Around 100 people qualify for these loans, and so far, 23 individuals have already benefited,” she says. The cooperative also offers training in pig, fish, goat, and vegetable farming, as well as tailoring. “Our goal is to help people transition from river-dependent livelihoods to business ventures,” she adds.

In Tighra, Rajapur-3, Maiti Tharuni, 60, is engaged in handicraft production. She was one of 18 women who participated in a 15-day training program on grass-based handicrafts, which included a buy-back guarantee. She explains that crafting a handicraft item takes anywhere from 30 minutes to four days, depending on its size and design. “There is strong demand, and we frequently export our products to Kathmandu, but we haven’t been able to meet the growing orders,” she says. “We used to make handicrafts before, but with this training, we now work in a more professional, modern, and efficient way, incorporating new and diverse designs,” she adds.

While the project has made strides in empowering communities and protecting otter habitats, its long-term success will depend on sustained efforts and collaboration between stakeholders. The challenges are significant, but the initiative offers a glimpse of what’s possible when conservation and community development go hand in hand. As Kapali puts it, “The goal is to create a future where both people and wildlife can thrive.” For now, the story of Nepal’s otters is one of resilience and hope, a reminder that even in the face of daunting challenges, positive change is possible.

Have you ever imagined a scenario where the National Police issue search warrants or execute arrests with the assistance of AI tools?

Would any type of ethical safeguards be respected in such a process? 

Would human control over the final decision of taking action, in the pursuit of justice, against an alleged perpetrator of a crime, be assured? 

In the EU AI Act, the first ever legislation governing the use of artificial intelligence entered into force in August 2024 and in the process of phase-wise implementation, there are clear provisions on when and in which circumstances, and under which type of oversight, the law enforcement agencies can make use of AI-enhanced tools. For example, AI-powered real-time facial recognition in public places is prohibited but there are exceptions for law enforcement agencies of the member-states. 

Indeed, the Act has come under fire for allowing too many loopholes for police use. But, in a trailblazing move, it has also put in place a risk-based approach with four levels of risks, including AI deployments with unacceptable risks that are forbidden. It is to be updated and revisited to ensure it will remain a “fit for purpose” instrument for a technology with apparently unlimited potential. 

This example of emerging AI regulations in the EU proves the complexities in finding a right balance not only on how to make the most effective use of the AI. It also shows the challenges of ensuring that ethical guardrails are in place before the deployment of new AI instruments whose full potential and capacities are still not fully comprehended. That’s why the recent news that the Nepal Police has not only acquired some AI software from India but also trained some of its staff on its use should be taken as very alarming. 

In a fast-evolving scenario of AI development where there have been a lot of talks about regulations but much less action, the recent government act of issuing a draft AI Policy is a positive step. The draft lists out several worthwhile policy objectives and it correctly highlights how any development and use of artificial intelligence in the country should always be focused on the creation of positive impacts for the wider society. Yet there are concerns about the lack of specificities and technicalities in relation to the implementation of any future AI regulations. At the same time, it is vital to contextualize any AI Policy with the urgent need for the country to have in place strong data protection and privacy laws, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure that Nepal still lacks.

Finalizing the AI Policy, therefore, would require, as suggested by the Digital Rights Nepal and AI Association Nepal, establishing a robust framework to ensure proper conduct in the way data protection and privacy rights are ensured by AI developers and their users. These represent major conundrums not only for Nepal but for the international community as a whole and are crucial themes widely underlined by the UN High Level Advisory Body on AI through its Governing AI for Humanity report.

One of the major deficiencies of the draft is its “generalized and listing all” approach without any timeline. For example, legislating a data protection framework would be itself a gigantic effort with a high degree of complexity. Addressing it head-on alone would, as a consequence, demand a strong sense of urgency on the part of the legislator and executive powers. But lack of specificities is not the only problem of the draft. 

A concerning aspect is also the system of governance that is envisioned to govern AI in the country. First of all, the document foresees the creation of an AI Regulatory Council whose chairperson would be the Minister for Communications and Information Technology. Together with other very high-ranking officials, including the Governor, this mechanism would, among others, issue ethical AI guidelines and standards.

The draft also envisions a National AI Center that, among other things, will be in charge of regulating the development and use of AI at the national level and overall coordination and evaluation of AI development.

It is crucial to reassess the purpose of establishing a high-level body like the AI Regulatory Council, as their effectiveness is often questionable, with many of such high-level bodies struggling to even meet the quorum for meetings. Instead, the focus should shift toward empowering an institution like the National AI Center, which could serve as the "guardian" of future AI legislation and ensure its proper implementation.

For example, the EU AI Act established a powerful European AI Office within the European Commission, giving it wide-ranging powers, including enforcement and implementation. But this is not the only mechanism created through European legislation. There are also a Scientific Panel, composed of independent experts in the field of AI and the Advisory Forum, representing a diverse selection of stakeholders. There is also a European Artificial Intelligence Board comprising representatives of member-states. This open, inclusive approach to governing AI development where together with policymakers, experts and members of the civil society have a seat on the table, is innovative.

At RightsCon 2025, held in Taiwan on 24-27 Feb 2025, AI discussions emphasized inclusivity, ethics and accountability in AI governance and development. Key sessions explored civil society’s role in AI policymaking, particularly in Asia and Latin America, and the integration of global perspectives for responsible generative AI. Topics like multilingual AI, neurotechnology governance and feminist AI highlighted the need for diverse voices in shaping equitable AI systems. Further, sessions on AI for climate action, healthcare and natural resource governance underscored its potential to address global challenges while ensuring rights-respecting approaches. The conference also discussed AI bias, fairness and the democratization of AI infrastructure, advocating for transparency and public participation. It is important for Nepal to consider these issues while finalizing the AI draft policy and legislating AI regulation. 

Moreover, recently, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has developed a new report, “How Leaders in the Global South Can Devise AI Regulations that Devise Innovation”, that should be thoroughly taken into consideration. 

If Nepal wants to really become an emerging IT hub as envisioned by the government, then it needs to step up its tempo on AI regulation. The country should have a holistic AI framework in place founded on strong data and privacy rights pillars. Together with strong ethical guardrails, Nepal can design an agile system that, while not over cumbersome, can ensure safety and AI alignment with human rights. 

By studying global practices and adapting them to local context, Nepal can have an ethically solid and innovation-promoting AI framework in place.

Any use of AI tools by state agencies, including law enforcement, should be stopped before any such a framework is established.

Structural dynamics plays a pivotal role in modern engineering, particularly in earthquake engineering. Base isolation, a groundbreaking innovation, is gaining attention as a critical solution for earthquake-prone regions like Nepal, which ranks 11th in terms of earthquake risk. Situated at the convergence of several active tectonic plates, Nepal lies in a highly vulnerable seismic zone. This makes the study of the dynamic behavior of buildings supported by base isolation systems essential. Understanding the conditions under which isolation systems perform effectively, conducting nonlinear dynamics analyses, performing shaking table tests, and evaluating field installations and performance are all crucial aspects of advancing base isolation technology.

Historically, Nepal has endured numerous devastating earthquakes. The 1934 magnitude 8 earthquake caused significant destruction, and the country continues to experience frequent seismic activity due to its location at the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates. The 2015 Gorkha earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, was a stark reminder of Nepal's vulnerability, claiming over 8,000 lives and injuring more than 20,000. Given this persistent risk, base isolation emerges as an effective, efficient, and protective method to mitigate earthquake-induced forces on buildings.

Base isolation is a seismic protection mechanism designed to reduce the impact of earthquake forces on structures. By incorporating flexible bearings or isolators between a building's foundation and superstructure, base isolation decouples the structure from ground motion, significantly reducing the transmission of seismic forces. This system not only dissipates energy but also enhances the overall performance of buildings during earthquakes. While the initial cost of base isolation systems may be higher in Nepal, recent advancements have made them more cost-effective and accessible, offering a practical solution to minimize lateral forces during seismic events.

Despite its benefits, base isolation remains underrepresented in Nepal's building codes. There is a pressing need to revise codal provisions to incorporate this modern innovation, ensuring its widespread adoption for new constructions. Public awareness and education about base isolation are equally important, as many are unaware of its potential to safeguard lives and property. A simple analogy to explain base isolation is the use of frictionless rollers: during an earthquake, the ground shakes, and the rollers move freely, while the building above remains stable and protected. In Japan, base isolation, known as "Menshin," is a cornerstone of modern architecture and engineering, contributing to the country's resilience against frequent earthquakes.

Various isolation components have been developed through research, including sliding isolators, lead rubber bearings, elastomeric isolators, low-damping natural or synthetic rubber bearings, and friction pendulum systems. These components are used not only in new constructions but also for retrofitting critical buildings. For instance, low-damping natural rubber bearings consist of steel endplates and thin steel shims interbedded with rubber, providing vertical stiffness while maintaining horizontal flexibility. Similarly, lead-plug rubber bearings, invented in New Zealand in 1975, incorporate a lead core to enhance stiffness and damping, making them highly effective for seismic isolation.

Sliding systems represent another approach to base isolation, offering an economical alternative for smaller structures. These systems reduce floor accelerations by introducing friction between the foundation and superstructure, allowing the building to return to its original position after an earthquake. This unique feature distinguishes sliding systems from other isolation methods.

So, seismic base isolation is a vital technique for protecting buildings in earthquake-prone regions like Nepal. To address the challenges posed by frequent seismic activity, it is imperative to adopt and implement isolation systems tailored to local needs. This requires collaborative efforts from government policymakers, structural engineers, and earthquake-related organizations. By integrating base isolation into building codes and promoting its adoption, Nepal can significantly enhance its resilience against future earthquakes, safeguarding both lives and infrastructure.

In my childhood home in Pokhara, ginger was never something we bought from the market. It grew quietly in our kitchen garden, a humble yet essential part of our daily lives. My mother, a firm believer in self-sufficiency, would plant ginger rhizomes in neat rows, and I, her little helper, would water them diligently. She would clear the soil, mix in rice husks for better drainage, and then let the ginger grow with minimal care. It was one of the easiest crops to cultivate—hardy, low-maintenance, and incredibly rewarding. When harvest time came, we would dig up the rhizomes, store them for the year, and even sell some when prices were high.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is believed to have originated in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia over 5,000 years ago. Ancient Sanskrit and Chinese texts highlight its medicinal properties, and it quickly became a prized commodity along the spice trade routes. From its origins, ginger traveled to India, where it became a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine and cuisine, and to China, where it was revered for its warming properties and ability to balance the body’s energies.

Nepal, nestled between these two cultural giants, naturally adopted ginger into its traditions. The fertile mid-hills of Nepal, with their subtropical to temperate climates, are ideal for ginger cultivation. 

According to Ghanashyam Chaudhary, in his paper for ‘Horticulture Nepal’, there are two main types of ginger varieties: Nashe (rich in fiber) and Boshe (low in fiber). The Boshe variety is considered superior due to its better yield, quality, and higher market price. Nashe varieties, with their high fiber content, are preferred by the spice industry for producing ginger powder.

Ginger thrives in well-drained, loamy soils enriched with organic matter, such as rice husks or compost—a practice I vividly remember from my mother’s garden. The crop requires minimal care, making it accessible even to small-scale farmers. While ginger is primarily cultivated, wild varieties can still be found in Nepal’s forests, particularly in the eastern and central regions. These wild varieties, though smaller and more pungent, are sometimes used in traditional remedies.

Ginger’s reputation as a superfood is well-deserved. Packed with bioactive compounds like gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone, it offers a wide range of health benefits. Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. Gingerol has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, helping reduce muscle pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Ginger’s antimicrobial properties help fight infections, while its warming effect improves circulation and immunity. Ginger may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. Emerging research suggests ginger may inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells.

Ginger’s versatility in the kitchen is unmatched. In Nepal, it’s a key ingredient in traditional dishes like gundruk ko jhol (fermented leafy green soup) and purano achar (a traditional radish pickle). It’s also used to flavor teas, known as adhuwa chiya, which are especially popular during the cold winter months.

Globally, ginger is a staple in Asian stir-fries, Indian curries, and Middle Eastern desserts. It’s also used to make ginger candies, which are popular for soothing sore throats and nausea. Modern trends like ginger shots—small, concentrated doses of ginger juice—have gained popularity for their health benefits, particularly among health-conscious consumers. In Nepal, this trend is gradually gaining traction, with local entrepreneurs exploring opportunities to produce and market ginger-based products like juices, candies, and health supplements.

In Ayurveda, ginger is known as Mahaushadha, or the ‘great medicine,’ due to its wide-ranging therapeutic properties. It’s classified as a rasayana (rejuvenating herb) and is used to balance the vata and kapha doshas. Modern medicine has also embraced ginger, using it in various remedies.

Nepal has immense potential to become a major exporter of ginger, given its high-quality produce and organic farming practices. The global demand for ginger is on the rise, driven by its health benefits and culinary uses. Key export markets include India, China, the Middle East, and Europe.

However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of processing facilities, and limited access to international markets hinder Nepal’s ginger export potential. Addressing these issues through government support, private sector investment, and international partnerships could unlock significant economic opportunities for Nepali farmers.

As Ghanashyam Chaudhary writes, improving storage capacity, reducing farming costs through mechanization, and developing efficient technical packages for ginger root rot management are crucial steps. Diversifying products and ensuring timely access to inputs like irrigation, fertilizer, and plant protection can further enhance ginger production. Collective marketing by farmers can also help them secure better prices for their produce.

The author is a London-based R&D chef