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Hetauda, a once-sleepy town in Nepal, has recently seen a significant transformation. Its recent elevation to the status of a provincial capital has brought rapid population growth and development to this region. While this transformation is promising, it has also presented a pressing need for smart mobility solutions. The city’s streets, especially the main roads, are struggling to accommodate the growing number of cars, bikes, auto rickshaws, and electric rickshaws. Furthermore, the rising number of private vehicles, especially cars, has intensified issues related to congestion and parking. To ensure Hetauda remains livable for all its residents and visitors, it is essential to address these mobility challenges. In this article, we will explore the significance of smart mobility for Hetauda, highlighting why it is necessary and how it can be adapted to suit the city’s unique needs.

Balancing accessibility for all classes

Hetauda’s recent transformation into a provincial capital brings with it the potential for significant disparities in terms of mobility. It is crucial that the city’s development doesn’t result in a divide between those who own private vehicles and those who do not. Smart mobility solutions can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the city remains accessible and convenient for all social classes. This is not only an issue of convenience but also one of social equity. A city that prioritizes smart mobility ensures that people with cars can move safely while those without private transport can move comfortably and safely as well.

Addressing the parking challenge

One of the immediate problems Hetauda faces with the rising number of vehicles is the issue of parking. The city’s streets, many of which are already quite narrow, struggle to accommodate both moving traffic and parked vehicles. Expanding road infrastructure might not always be a feasible solution due to space constraints and the need to preserve the city’s character. Therefore, implementing smart parking solutions is essential. This includes the development of efficient parking structures, the introduction of time-based parking zones and so on.

Promoting sustainable transportation modes

To alleviate congestion and reduce the environmental impact of the growing number of vehicles, Hetauda can learn valuable lessons from Terai small towns that have successfully integrated sustainable transportation modes. Encouraging cycling as a mode of daily commute is not only eco-friendly but also promotes healthier living. Designing dedicated bike lanes, providing affordable bike-sharing programs, and ensuring bicycle safety measures can make cycling an attractive option for the city’s residents. Public transportation should also be revamped, focusing on making it accessible, reliable, and environmentally friendly. 

Encouraging the use of electric rickshaws

Electric rickshaws have gained popularity in Hetauda due to their energy efficiency and affordability. However, their numbers have grown significantly, contributing to the city’s traffic challenges. To manage this growth effectively, the city can introduce regulations to ensure a sustainable number of electric rickshaws on the road. 

Implementing traffic management solutions

Smart mobility is not just about introducing new modes of transportation; it also involves implementing intelligent traffic management solutions. Utilizing technology to optimize traffic flow, synchronize traffic signals, and provide real-time traffic information to commuters can significantly reduce congestion. Furthermore, intelligent transportation systems can help reduce accidents, making the streets safer for all.

Promoting walkability and urban planning

As Hetauda grows, urban planning becomes increasingly critical. Smart mobility strategies should integrate urban planning that prioritizes walkability. Pedestrians should be provided with safe and well-maintained sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian zones. Enhancing the city’s aesthetics and creating pleasant public spaces can also contribute to a more vibrant and livable Hetauda.

Investing in education and awareness

The successful implementation of smart mobility solutions in Hetauda also relies on educating the public about the benefits of these changes. Raising awareness about the environmental and social advantages of sustainable transportation modes, as well as the efficient use of personal vehicles, can encourage residents to make more responsible mobility choices.

Collaboration and funding

The transition to smart mobility requires collaboration between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and the community. Public-private partnerships can help in funding and implementing these solutions effectively. Access to grants and subsidies for adopting electric vehicles, developing cycling infrastructure, and improving public transportation can be instrumental in making smart mobility a reality.

In conclusion, Hetauda’s transformation into a bustling city with rapid population growth and development presents both opportunities and challenges. Smart mobility solutions are not only necessary but also a crucial component of ensuring that the city remains livable for all its residents, irrespective of their transportation choices and socio-economic backgrounds. By addressing the issues of accessibility, parking, sustainable transportation, traffic management, urban planning, education, and collaboration, Hetauda can create a model for smart mobility that other cities in Nepal and beyond can emulate. The journey to smart mobility may not be without its hurdles, but the benefits it promises in terms of sustainability, quality of life, and economic development make it a path worth pursuing.

International airports have a direct correlation with national security as they are the gateway to a country. Airports are globally considered sensitive infrastructure and every airport has their unique security challenges requiring adequate security provisions and installation to maintain the highest level of trust globally. The international airport demands a robust security apparatus that not only includes security force personnel but also civil service officers responsible for a smooth operation of the airport. It is paramount to have demarcated jurisdictions and clearly-spelled mandates among the stakeholders to avoid duplicity of functions and lapses in security.

Nepal, being a landlocked country and practically having only one functional international airport, faces its own challenges in combating illegal activities. In recent years, Nepali airports are combating the movement of gold and foreign currency, smuggling of illegal items and illicit drugs, and becoming a conduit for human trafficking. These challenges are compounded by issues such as lack of coordination between the stakeholders of the airport operation, outdated security mechanisms and inadequately mandated deployment of Nepal Police in airport security.

An international airport is considered an international border point and Nepal has been deploying APF, as the primary border protection force of Nepal to other border points of the nation. However, the government took almost 10 years to deploy APF to the airport, that also in a very small number—31 APF personnel under the command of an APF Inspector to support the function of the customs office and address smuggling challenges.

Nepal Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Nepal, not only having bilateral and multilateral relations with various countries and their law enforcement agencies, but also in terms of access to the international crime database maintained by the Interpol. Nepal Police is the only agency which has comprehensive crime prevention, detection and investigation capabilities. Yet, it has no major involvement in the airport security operation and no role at all in the arrival area of the airport in Nepal, which is impacting the overall security structure.

The Department of Immigration is responsible for border control and regulating the immigrants’ movement. Currently, civil immigration officers are deputed in the airport for immigration and immigration control. Experiences show that the department of immigration lacks the capability to enforce border control protocols and does not have appropriate access to the crime and criminal database to effectively screen the travelers in order to prevent the access of criminals and smugglers to the country.  Whereas, the customs officers are stationed to regulate and control the flow of goods through the airport and collect duty and taxes.

Lack of information sharing between various civil and security stakeholders involved in the operation and maintenance of the airport and the absence of proper coordination among these civil and security mechanisms is hindering effective responses to apparent security threats.

To address these challenges, a comprehensive re-engagement of airport security is necessary, including changes at the policy and operational levels. The immigration department should take the leadership and supervisory roles in policy formulation and implementation. It should regulate, observe and provide appropriate policy instructions to the airport operation for immigrant movement control. Nepal Police, with its expertise in crime control and law enforcement; having connections with Interpol and access to the national and international crime and criminal data, should be given the operational leadership of airport security. Other government agencies and bureaucratic offices should play a role in providing necessary policy and documentation support according to their area of speciality for specific security procedures through the department of immigration.

Learning from the practice of Transportation Security Agency (TSA) of the USA and Industrial Security Force (ISF) of India, it is time for Nepal to create an independent and dedicated Immigration Police Bureau within Nepal Police with a different dress code for separate identification, clear mandate to control immigrant and immigration while also enforcing the laws for border control, stopping smuggling and crime prevention and investigation. In the past, Nepal Police used to deploy for immigration and immigrant control and they used to be more effective as they have access to national and international criminal records and databases, which is not the case with civilian officers deputed from the immigration department. Such Immigration Police Bureau should be equipped with smart technology and advanced technical resources for enhanced screening and monitoring in order to implement timely, effective and successful security systems. Surveillance capabilities and infrastructure of Nepali security forces, including the civil and military intelligence, should be mobilized to collect, combine and analyze any and all incidents. Those findings should be shared with the Bureau in real time and coordinate effectively for actions to create a more secure airport.

The regulator should adopt a strike policy on access to the airport and its sensitive security areas. Misuse of authority is a major challenge to access control, thus creating insecurity and that can be enforced by clear regulation that makes individuals accountable for their action, which should be strictly monitored to prevent security mishaps and ensure integrity in airport operations. It is advisable to implement a policy of separation of arrival and departure areas to prevent passengers from meeting within the airport premises. Strictly regulating cargo and passenger routes by preventing unauthorized access and enhancing security measures will also help significantly to sanitize the sensitive security area. A redefined security approach is essential for Nepal’s international airports to effectively combat existing and emerging security challenges. The proposed changes at both policy and operational levels aim to strengthen security mechanisms, restore trust at the international level and ensure the overall safety and integrity of Nepal's airports. The collaborative efforts of various security forces, along with clear guidelines and strong policy implementations, will contribute to a more secure and reliable airport security environment.

There was a time when the internet and smartphones hadn’t invaded lives. It was the time when we couldn’t get everything just by moving our fingertips on the mobile screen. That was an age where people need not to depend on gadgets to kill their loneliness. There were days like that too when our ancestors could spend hours upon hours being completely calm even by doing nothing. All in all, it was an era when humankind lived their life as it was. 

Since the age of cognitive revolution till today, man has invented various technologies aimed to make life more easier and well facilitated. Almost all the discoveries obviously made our life more facilitated and simplified too but we can’t ignore the fact that these discoveries are also pushing our life towards complexity.

The day when the government of Nepal declared to ban TikTok, a short video application, in Nepal, shorts on YouTube, reels on Facebook and Instagram started to become more popular and gain remarkable attention. With the continuous information and entertainment available at our fingertips, it’s easy to become addicted to the instant gratification provided by these short videos. Not only have people’s consumption of time on the internet been increased by the rise of this new media form, it is directly hitting our attention span too. Despite the many benefits offered by these shorts, it also makes us more and more impatient at the same time. In fact, these short form videos are gradually shortening our focus and concentration power. They are weakening our stability day by day.

Our life today is built around a fast paced, technologically dominant society. As a reflection, each morning starts with shorts and reels on the mobile screen, which has developed a need for immediate results in us. Now we have reached a point where we want everything at the click of a button or swipe of a finger. We have become so impatient that we need all the things instantly like instant coffee. We can’t even wait for a couple of seconds without skipping the ad while watching YouTube videos. It is said, Amazon would lose an estimated $1.6bn a year if its home page loaded one second more slowly. If we get stuck in a traffic jam for a minute, our stress level easily reaches its peak. Reading books or listening to a long playlist, or just trying to learn a new skill is comparatively more difficult than it used to be. Even a cup of tea takes ten minutes to be ready but we need a life solution in the snap of a finger. This expectation for instant results has penetrated into our relationships with family, friends and loved ones. 

In China, there is a type of bamboo tree that needs to be watered every single day without fail. When that seed is planted, initially there is no growth and nothing appears to come out of the ground for the first five years. But there are experienced people who have faith and patience on that tree so they keep watering. In the fifth year within six weeks this particular tree grows to around eighty feet tall. This bamboo tree proves that everything has its own pace of time. It's not that we always get immediate results for what we do. Babies are also not born the day parents bond nor does a chick hatch out from the egg in a day. In our daily lives too things like losing weight, professional success or overcoming personal failure need time. Even Thomas Alva Edison could not have invented the electric light bulb if he did not have patience and perseverance. KFC is world famous today only because Colonel Sanders did not lose patience even after his recipe was rejected one thousand and nine times.

According to Yogic science patience is one of the greatest virtues which is directly related to the overall well being of humankind. It is so powerful and capable to totally transform everyone in their best form if practiced properly and consciously. A person with patience can be happy and calm even in suffering or frustration. He can gain the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble without getting angry or upset.

Today is the age of Information and Technology and we too are not far away from this. No matter how hard we try, we cannot remain completely untouched by its influence. But at least we can stay away from the demerits of mobile and the short form contents on it. Or at least we can improve our patience and perseverance power by doing some meditation techniques. For this we can keep staring at abstract painting for hours. We can go through a special method called ‘Tratak’ to develop the concentration power on us. Likewise we can add ‘Pranayam’ to our daily routine. And most importantly adopt the pace of nature and make yourself habitual on it.

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.