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The counting of tigers in the Shuklaphanta National Park began on Tuesday. The tigers in the Park and its vicinity are being counted for the fifth time. 

A conservation officer at the Park, Purushottam Wagle, informed that the big cats would be enumerated with camera trapping methods. The tigers are counted every four years. This is the fifth time the count is going on. 

A survey will be conducted in the Park and its vicinity where a total 520 automated cameras have been installed by identifying the tigers' trail.

A 77-member technical team has been mobilized for this task. Even the elephants would be used for easing the count. The workforce carries out its duty through 11 camps. 

The last survey held in 2022 had recorded 36 tigers in the Park which covers 305 square kilometer area. The number of big cats is expected to have increased since then.

The African swine flu has taken a huge toll on pig farming in Parbat district. 

As many as 46 pigs have died of flu, spreading alarm among the commercial pig farmers.

A test was conducted in the livestock for swine flu in the surrounding areas of district headquarters, Kushma. After the test found the spread of African swine flu, the farmers have been asked to maintain alertness.

The Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service, Parbat informed it conducted tests after some pigs in Kushma Municipality showed the symptoms such as fever, thumping, huddling, nasal and ocular discharge and loss of appetite. The rapid kit test resulted in a positive, according to Suresh Kumar Shrestha, Chief of Office.

Then the Office conducted monitoring in the areas suspected of disease and urged the farmers to keep pig sties clean, use bleaching powder and formalin to disinfect the sty, and keep separate the infected pigs. They are also asked to conduct the test in case of suspicion, bury the dead pigs and keep away the domestic cattle from wild boars. 

There are over 40 commercial pig farms in Parbat district. The farmers in the related areas have been asked to maintain adequate preparedness.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat and the government of Japan on Monday signed an addendum to the renewed memorandum on the guidelines for the SAARC–Japan Special Fund to implement the JENESYS 2025 Phase II program.

The memorandum was signed by Secretary-General of SAARC, Md Golam Sarwar, and Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, Maeda Toru, at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu.

According to a press release issued by the SAARC Secretariat, Japan has decided to contribute 13 million Japanese yen to support the implementation of the program under the SAARC–Japan Special Fund.

The JENESYS program aims to promote people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and SAARC member states. Under the JENESYS 2025 Phase II programme, around 20 participants from SAARC countries are expected to visit Japan to gain insights into the country’s development experience, culture, society and technological advancement.

The initiative is expected to strengthen cooperation and friendship between Japan and the SAARC region, the statement added.

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution titled “International Wellness Day” proposed by Nepal, designating April 15 each year as the International Wellness Day.

According to the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, the resolution underscores that health goes beyond the mere absence of illness and embraces physical, mental, social, cultural, emotional and ecological well-being.

He said the resolution also promotes preventive healthcare, healthy lifestyles and inclusive health systems as key elements to build stronger and more resilient societies worldwide.

According to Ambassador Thapa, Nepal expressed sincere appreciation to the co-sponsoring countries and fellow member states for their support and cooperation throughout the process leading to the adoption of the resolution by the United Nations.