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Germany is gradually easing its laws on citizenship, immigration and visas to attract migrant workers to address increasing labor shortages. As a result, the European nation is becoming an appealing destination for youth seeking jobs and education for countries like Nepal. Many Nepali students and migrant workers are currently heading to countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. 

Germany needs 400,000 foreign workers annually to bridge its labor gap, according to the country’s Federal Employment Office. Recent data shows that 10,670 Nepali workers and students have already chosen Germany. Nepali citizens can apply for a German work visa if they meet any of the following criteria: completion of a recognized training course or study program, a degree equivalent to a German qualification, a degree recognized in Germany, at least five years of professional or academic experience, vocational training, and German language proficiency.

In 2023, the German Parliament passed legislation aimed at attracting workers from non-European countries. Germany is now looking at South Asia and Southeast Asian countries for skilled laborers to keep its economy moving. The new law prioritizes work experience over academic qualifications, allows foreign workers to bring their families, and offers a pathway to citizenship. Germany has also relaxed its citizenship policy—anyone with five years of work experience in Germany and strong German language skills can apply for citizenship. This shift is driven by an aging population, with baby boomers retiring and birth rates steadily declining.

Germany’s population is at risk of long-term decline, with a birth rate of only 1.5 children per woman—below the two children needed to sustain the population. Without immigration, this trend is expected to continue. After a baby boom in the 1960s, birth rates began to decline from the 1980s onward. According to DW, there have been significant changes in birth patterns in a long-term comparison with 2013. In 2013, 49.4 percent of births were first children, 34.4 percent were second children, and 16.1 percent were third or subsequent children. However, between 2013 and 2023, the proportion of first-born children has decreased, while births to third or later children have increased.

According to migration expert Frank Burgdörfer, most women in the 1970s had children in their early 20s, but today, they are more likely to have children in their 30s. Without migration, Germany’s population will continue to shrink, while the number of people requiring care is steadily rising, he added.

Germany’s labor market is now facing multiple challenges. Unemployment is gradually declining, while job vacancies are increasing daily. According to Burgdörfer, sectors with high demand include finishing and dry construction, geriatric care, industrial glass production, metal production and construction, building construction, and vehicle and aircraft manufacturing.

In eastern Germany, 39.7 percent of businesses are struggling with skilled labor shortages, compared to a lower 31.8 percent in Hessen and Rhineland-Palatinate, according to Burgdörfer. Employers in many eastern regions face particular challenges in recruiting highly skilled young workers due to a noticeable decline in the working-age population and low net migration. Structurally weak rural areas and small towns are especially vulnerable, potentially falling behind economically as a result, he added.

Official statistics show that the working-age population is expected to shrink by 1.6m to 4.8m over the next 15 years, while the number of people reaching retirement age (67 or older) will increase significantly throughout the 2020s and 2030s.

Germany plans to attract 400,000 skilled workers annually. But there are various challengers. High taxes and the difficult German language pose major barriers, especially as Germany competes with the USA, Canada and China for talent. Following the Russia-Ukraine war and other global conflicts, Germany has seen an influx of refugees. However, integrating them into the workforce has proven challenging due to language barriers and lack of vocational skills. While humanitarian immigration has increased, it has not translated effectively into meeting Germany's skilled labor demands.

Various German institutions, including the Goethe Institute, are working to support successful integration into the German labor market. According to Schengen News, Germany granted 80,000 work visas in the first half of 2024, with 40,000 issued to skilled workers—3,000 more compared to the same period of 2023.

Ralph Heck, chairperson of the Bertelsmann Foundation, said that population aging is evident across almost all German states. The percentage of people aged 65 and above is projected to increase from 22 percent in 2020 to 28 percent in 2040, while the working-age population will decline from 54 percent to 48 percent.

A March 2024 report by the Federal Institute for Population Research revealed that live births in 2023 fell to their lowest level since 2009. The birth rate dropped from 1.57 per woman in 2021 to approximately 1.36 in autumn 2023. According to the report, West Germany's birth rate has historically remained low, fluctuating between 1.2 and 1.4 children per woman for four decades after 1975.

Germany’s most in-demand professions include green jobs, nursing professionals, physicians, engineers, IT specialists, scientists, craftspeople, and various healthcare roles such as dental assistants, medical assistants, veterinary assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and podiatrists. Nepal and Germany signed an agreement for legal labor migration in October last year. Labor ministry officials say Germany is looking to recruit some 3,000 workers from Nepal.

“I never imagined a snow leopard’s habitat would look like this,” said Sajal Tilija, a seventh grader at Janabal Secondary School in Marpha, Mustang, as he stood in a rugged grassland near the base of a massive, barren mountain. “From what I’d read, I thought it would be a desert—dry and all red. But instead, I found some greenery, with pine trees and prickly shrubs,” he added.

Sajal was participating in a camp in Mustang to learn about the elusive snow leopard. He was joined by two classmates, a teacher, and students from other schools. Other participants included field rangers, citizen scientists, artists, journalists, trainers, photographers, community members, and conservationists. The two-day Snow Leopard Scout Monitoring Camp took place in Thorangphedi and Chongur grasslands, near the holy Muktinath temple, on August 29-30, 2024.

“We mostly learned about the local landscape and how climate change is affecting the snow leopard’s habitat. We also learned about snowstorms, avalanches, and how to stay safe in those situations,” Sajal shared.

The participants were also taught how to use camera traps and the essential tools for snow leopard monitoring, like GPS devices, spotting scopes, and binoculars.

At one point during the camp, a group of locals excitedly shouted after spotting a blue sheep on a distant hilltop. Everyone quickly grabbed their binoculars, scopes, and cameras to take a closer look. “It wasn’t easy to spot the blue sheep sitting so far away,” Sajal recalled. “Focusing the lenses was tough. The sheep sat proudly, like a king, high on the ridge above the rocks.”

The camp has been held in Mustang since 2011, providing students with hands-on training in snow leopard monitoring and teaching them to observe their natural habitat, including potential prey species. This initiative continues with support from the Snow Leopard Conservancy, while Teka Samuha Nepal organized this year’s event.

After returning to school, Sajal eagerly shared his adventure with his friends. “I wrote everything in my diary! We spotted a pika, a red fox, and even a mother blue sheep with her baby. We sometimes see blue sheep near the village, but this time felt special. No one believed we found red fox scat!” he said excitedly. He also explained how they set up camera traps and used GPS during the camp.

At school, conservation teacher Amar Ghatane showed images of snow leopards on a projector and encouraged students to share what they had learned with their families and community. “I often tell my sisters and grandmother about snow leopards,” Sajal said proudly.

Sajal’s elder sister, Prasansa, noted how keen he is to share his knowledge. “He’s always learning and sharing something new,” she said. “When we’re out gathering firewood, he reminds me how important it is to protect snow leopards because their extinction would hurt the environment.”

Laxmi, Sajal’s mother, remembered a time when snow leopards preyed on her goats and cows while she lived in a remote area called ‘Chhair’. Now, living in Marpha, jackals prey on her chickens. “Sajal once told me that snow leopards are smaller than tigers,” she recalled. “They live in the mountains and depend on natural prey, mainly blue sheep, which sometimes come into our village.”

The story of snow leopards and human coexistence is playing out in Nepal’s Himalayas. Sajal is just one example of students involved in snow leopard conservation education, an initiative spreading through Mustang and Taplejung. The program raises awareness among students, encourages positive messages within communities that share habitats with snow leopards, and advocates for including conservation topics in local textbooks—working toward long-term sustainability and institutionalizing these efforts.

Holidays in Nepal, especially Dashain and Tihar, are becoming an opportunity for travel enthusiasts to explore the country’s natural beauty and experience its rich cultures and traditions. I recently embarked on a five-day trek to Gosaikunda in Rasuwa, starting from Sundarijal in Kathmandu with a group of friends, and the trip was filled with memorable moments and lessons that could be valuable for the Nepal Tourism Board.

Heavy rains just before the Dashain holiday had initially disrupted my travel plans due to the resulting landslides and floods, which cut off roads across the country. The BP Highway, in particular, suffered severe damage, forcing many travelers, especially those from Bagmati and Koshi provinces, to cancel their plans. Given the road conditions and the ongoing monsoon, I had not made any firm plans. However, an old friend unexpectedly called, suggesting we trek to Gosaikunda—one of the places on my bucket list. After discussing the route, we decided to trek from Sundarijal instead of driving to Dhunche, to avoid the risks posed by monsoon rains and dangerous road conditions.

Our trek began at Sundarijal, where we purchased tickets at the army checkpoint for 100 rupees each. After a four-hour walk, we stopped for lunch at Chisapani before continuing on to our first overnight stop at Pati Bhanjyang. Along the way, we encountered a lively couple drinking local alcohol outside their home. Their warmth and hospitality were infectious, and we even shared a brief dance to a folk song they loved. For me, part of the joy of traveling lies in connecting with local communities and their traditions, and this interaction was a perfect example of that.

The hospitality at Pati Bhanjyang was memorable. The homestay owner served us local meat and a uniquely flavored cucumber, and their warm, friendly treatment made the experience even more special. From Pati Bhanjyang, we set off for Kutumsang (altitude 2,470 meters), but the stunning scenery slowed us down. We kept stopping to capture photos, forgetting the time. One challenge in this area is the lack of readily available food—hoteliers usually only prepare meals if informed in advance. However, the people we met along the way made the journey unforgettable. One elderly woman returning from a local Gumba left a deep impression on me, reminding me of my own grandmother who passed away last year. Our conversation brought back fond memories, and as we parted ways, I left a small token of money with her. She blessed me in return, placing her hand on my head, which brought me close to tears.

The three-hour trek from Kutumsang to Mangin Goth (altitude 3,285 meters) was challenging due to the uneven terrain and the aching leg of one of my friends, which worsened when descending. We pushed through, aware of the dangers posed by the dense forest and the presence of wild animals in Langtang National Park. We finally arrived at Mangin Goth at around 6:15 PM, using the light from our mobile phones. The warmth of the hotel, with its central firewood heating system, was a welcome relief after the exhausting day.

The next leg of our journey, from Mangin Goth to Phedi (altitude 3,720 meters), was even more difficult than we had anticipated. The terrain forced us to take frequent breaks. As we neared Phedi at dusk, the roaring sound of water and the flood-damaged paths heightened our anxiety. The couple running the hotel at Phedi had been there for nearly 30 years, and their story was both inspiring and humbling. They served us a surprisingly delicious meal, and we rested, knowing that the next day would involve scaling the highest pass on the route—Laurebina Pass (4,610 meters).

The climate at Laurebina Pass was unpredictable, with thick fog occasionally obscuring the mountains and lakes. But we were lucky, and at times the fog lifted, revealing the breathtaking views we had come for. It felt as though the landscape was playing hide and seek with us.

The scenery was incredible—tall pine trees, blooming flowers, and snow-dusted mountains. During tea breaks, I asked locals whether they had noticed any changes in the snow-covered peaks. Almost everyone mentioned that the snow has been melting rapidly in recent years and no longer lasts as long as it used to. This reminded me of Amitav Ghosh's “The Living Mountain,” which describes how once-resourceful mountains were exploited, leaving them barren.

While the trek to Gosaikunda via Sundarijal is an adventurous experience, there is a lack of information along the way that can frustrate travelers. I would recommend that the local government and relevant authorities promote homestays and encourage locals to sell homegrown products. Additionally, they should install clear signage and information along the route to prevent confusion. The disparity in treatment between foreign and local tourists should also be addressed to help boost domestic tourism. Finally, the route from Dhunche to Gosaikunda, though well-serviced in terms of lodging and food, should be extended to a three-day trek instead of two, to reduce the risk of altitude sickness for travelers.

The new government formed three months ago had announced that it wanted to conduct a review of the Constitution promulgated almost a decade ago (in 2015) by exploring areas for amendments. The two largest political parties in the Parliament—the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML)—joined hands to form the government that enjoyed the support of almost two-third members of the parliament—ostensibly to push constitutional reforms.

As per the constitution, any amendment can pass only with a two-third majority. Therefore, the public pledge made by the two largest parties during the formation of the latest coalition was viewed seriously by everyone. The parties had promised to first conduct objective analysis of the constitutional performance and suggest amendments.

Almost a decade has passed since the promulgation of the constitution, so it is an opportune time to take stock of its performance, examine its contributions and failings, and prescribe reforms for its improvement.

The constitution has embraced some fundamental changes like federalism, republic and inclusion, which cannot be compromised. But their workings can be refined to better address the aspirations of the general public.

The major parties have been suggesting that one reason why the constitution needs reforms is the current setup, which, according to them, prevents a single party from forming a majority government, leading to perennial instability in governance.

While that may be the case, it is utterly important to also pay attention to other aspects of the new constitution such as strengthening local governance.

The constitution had intended to empower the local government and recognize them as the primary vehicles for the delivery of public service and governance to the people.

As per the constitution, there are currently 753 local governments, including six metropolitan cities, 11 sub-metropolitan cities, 276 municipalities and 460 rural municipalities. Part 17 of the constitution provides for the formation of Local Executive, Part 18 provides for the Local Legislative, Part 19 provides for the Local Financial Procedure and Part 20 provides for relations between federal, province and local levels. Article 217 of the constitution has also provided for the judicial powers of the local government.

In the past, there were around 4,000 local bodies, which were reduced to 753 local governments. In the last one decade, the local governments have been strengthened with adequate powers to prove their worth by becoming immediate centers of power to the local people and the deliverer of most basic of public services. The chiefs and deputy chiefs of the local governments have become powerful in terms of their influence in budget allocations, resource mobilization and service delivery issues.

The local governments also have the power of formulating local laws. They also have separate judicial committees to provide local level justice in specified areas. Many local disputes are now being submitted for settlements at local levels.

In terms of development resources, too, the local levels have been able to use a huge chunk of the national budget. The annual budgets of local levels are in the range of Rs 400m to Rs 28bn (Kathmandu Metropolitan City). They are also found active in providing basic recommendations such as for citizenship, passport, national identity, etc. They are also becoming the first point of responders in times of disasters such as during earthquakes, disease outbreaks like Covid-19 and natural disasters like floods and landslides.

However, they still face a number of challenges to prove their worth—many of which have the root in laws and the constitution.

Legal reforms: The number of local levels needs to be reduced to less than 500 in order to make them agile and effective. The wards should be made more powerful. For example, presently, the wards are responsible for only providing recommendations for citizenship whereas it is issued by the district administration office. Laws and constitution can be changed to ensure that the people get the citizenship issued from district administrative offices delivered at the wards themselves. Processes can be interlinked between wards and district offices for this purpose.

Currently, local governments also have authority to formulate laws but in the last one decade, there has been concern that they lack skills to formulate quality laws. Therefore, this authority probably could be given to the provinces, where such skills can be available. Besides, it is also better for provinces to have uniform laws for all their local governments.

Budgetary reforms: Presently, the federal government bears almost 80 percent of the budget of the local government. There is a need to conduct reforms enabling local governments to generate more budgets for themselves, and there is also a need to change the sequence of budget-making. Ideally, local governments should be allowed to first pass their annual budgets, followed by the province and the federal government, respectively instead of the current sequence, which is just the opposite.

HR reforms: Although one decade has passed, the proper staff management has not been achieved. Local government staff should be recruited by local governments themselves within the mandate prescribed by the concerned province. Such staff should be able to transfer within the province and they should have ample opportunities for career growth.

Election reforms: Many have questioned the appropriateness of holding local government elections on a party basis. Since they are designed for service delivery to citizens, it is thought that their elections should not be guided by partisan politics. Rather, they should have independent candidates. This can facilitate smooth functioning of the local government without petty politics and political disruptions.

These reforms should be kept in mind when the government and the major political parties conduct a study for constitutional reforms.