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Nepal and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on biodiversity conservation. 

The MoU to this effect was signed in the presence of Minister for Forests and Environment of Nepal, Madhav Prasad Chaualgain, and Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, Bhupendra Yadav, in New Delhi on Wednesday. 

The MoU was signed by Nepal's Ambassador to India Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma, on behalf of Nepal, and by Tanmay Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on behalf of India.

Dr Maheshwor Dhakal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Forests said that senior officials from the governments of Nepal and India were present on the occasion. 

Both Nepal and India are signatories to various international treaties on environmental conservation, including biodiversity, under the United Nations.

There are protected areas and biological corridors in the bordering areas of both nations, providing habitat to many wild animals, including elephants, rhinos, and tigers. These wild animals cross the borders freely without hindrances. 

The MoU, therefore, is expected to play a role in enabling both countries to coordinate and cooperate in the protected areas, biodiversity, and wildlife crime control, adopt a shared strategy related to biodiversity, and develop the capacities of personnel working in the field.

Additionally, Minister Chaulagain said that the MoU will support controlling and regulating poaching and illegal trade of wildlife in cross-border areas, conducting research, studies, and monitoring of wildlife, and raising awareness and building capacity at the local level.

The implementation of the MoU is expected to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in both countries by conducting regular patrols and meetings in the border areas, exchanging experiences and knowledge, developing and expanding good practices, and sharing immediate information related to wildlife and illegal trade.

The MoU states that both countries can exchange wildlife crime-related information with the South Asia Wildlife Law Enforcement Network (SAWEN) to control and regulate international wildlife crimes.

The Ministry and its subordinate Department of Forests and Soil Conservation and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation at the central level, and the relevant provincial Ministry of Forests and Environment, protected areas, and divisional forest offices will coordinate and collaborate at the local level, to implement the said understanding on behalf of Nepal.

The MoU  stipulates that the agreement will be automatically renewed every five years unless a nation provides written information through diplomatic means, and it will be reviewed every three years.

The MoU states that any problems arising during the implementation will be resolved through mutual understanding.

In preparation for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections, polling stations situated in the border region have been under surveillance. 

To ensure a peaceful election process, security agencies from Koshi Province and Sunsari district initiated monitoring of these polling stations on Wednesday. 

With the election date (March 5) drawing near, representatives from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Department have inspected the polling stations in the district,  Sunsari Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire said. 

He noted that inspections were carried out at polling stations in Barju, Dewanganj, Harinagar, and the Koshi rural municipalities of Sunsari, which are adjacent to the Indian border. 

Chief District Officer Ghimire elaborated that the inspections were aimed at collecting data on the physical conditions of the polling centers, identify sensitive areas, develop crowd management strategies, and prepare for emergency scenarios. 

Security officials in Sunsari have pledged to remain on high alert throughout the election period to deter any unwanted incidents, it has been said.

The Election Commission has mandated that hospitals and health facilities maintain health workers on standby for the upcoming House of Representatives elections set for March 5. 

Emphasizing that the administrative processes for the elections are proceeding as per the Commission's approved schedule, the Commission has ordered that provisions be made for emergency health assistance at polling stations for staff, security forces, and voters who may require it during the elections, said Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, Joint Secretary and spokesperson for the Commission. 

He mentioned that the Commission has sought necessary support from all local levels via the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. Additionally, the Commission has communicated with the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to ensure that doctors, health workers, and medical supplies are prepared in hospitals and health facilities nationwide to deliver essential and emergency medical services.

The Election Commission (EC) has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to take necessary measures to prevent any prohibited activities during the election period.

It has requested immediate action in accordance with existing laws if such activities are detected, along with a report to the Commission. 

In a press release, the Commission instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to inform all Chief District Officers and security agencies to strictly adhere to the election code of conduct during the campaign prohibition period, which begins at 12:00 Midnight on March 4. 

The District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee is tasked with deploying designated personnel and mechanisms to address violations of Section 24 of the Election (Offense and Punishment) Act, 2073, as well as Sections 17 and 18 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, and to report any actions taken. 

Additionally, the Commission has called for a ban on the sale, distribution, and consumption of intoxicants starting seven days before the voting date until the final election results are announced. "On voting day, all public and private vehicles, with the exception of those used for essential services (such as ambulances, fire trucks, hearses, blood transfusion service vehicles, security agency vehicles, electricity repair, drinking water and sewage repair vehicles, and telecommunication service maintenance vehicles), as well as vehicles from diplomatic missions and those with special passes for election day, will be prohibited from operating from 12:00 Midnight on March 4 until voting concludes on March 5," the Commission said.

Furthermore, the Commission clarified that arrangements will be made for international and domestic flights to continue operating as normal on voting day, allowing passengers with tickets for these flights to use vehicles provided by private parties or their respective airlines to travel from the airport to their homes or hotels.