Submit your Article

The government has decided to shut down 26 social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTube.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology made the decision on Thursday to implement the decision of the Cabinet and the order of the Supreme Court.

The government has written to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to shut down the social media platforms from today.

According to a source, a meeting held at the Ministry of Communications on Thursday decided to close 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, to implement the order of the Supreme Court and the previous decision of the Council of Ministers.

The source said that a decision has also been made to gradually open these social media platforms if they proceed with the registration process in Nepal.

A division bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa on Wednesday issued an order in the name of the government stating that the foreign broadcasting agencies must obtain a license to broadcast in Nepal and that the government should  formulate the necessary laws.

The government plans to track foreign nationals visiting Nepal on tourist visas. The Immigration Department issued a notice on Tuesday, stating that digital tracking will begin on Sept 17. Under the new system, foreign nationals staying in star hotels will be required to submit their personal details through a mobile app. Tikaram Dhakal, Director of the Immigration Department, said the first phase of the foreign national registration and monitoring system will be implemented in star hotels in coordination with the Hotel Association Nepal.

A manual has been prepared to guide this process. The system aims to enhance security for foreign visitors, improve information management and facilitation, support crime prevention, and promote tourism. Visitors must submit their details before arriving at their hotel, and the system will gradually expand nationwide. It will initially be introduced in star hotels in Kathmandu before being extended to other areas.

The department believes the system will simplify record-keeping of foreigners’ activities and residences and ensure timely search, rescue, and safety measures during emergencies. Department Chief Ramchandra Tiwari added that hotel staff can also scan the details via the app. The information will remain secure within the hotel system, while the Immigration Department will monitor it centrally.

Foreign nationals must submit their details before reaching their booked hotel. If a visitor fails to do so, hotel staff are required to update the information online. The system will eventually cover star hotels, airlines, tour and travel companies, and money exchange services across the country. The department plans to expand it to all types of hotels, guest houses, and public and private institutions.

The Immigration Department has made it mandatory for all foreign visitors to use its mobile app. Upon downloading, each visitor receives a QR code, which the department will use to track them digitally.

Incidents of human trafficking and smuggling are increasing.

According to the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen, the Nepal Police has rescued 127 victims or affected persons from different places from within the country and abroad in the fiscal year 2024/25.

The 'National Report on Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling, 2081', made public by the Ministry on Wednesday, stated that a total of 3,490 victims, including 758 through the rehabilitation centers based in 10 districts and 2,732 through different organizations of the same districts were rescued and rehabilitated.

Likewise, the information centers of various organizations located along the Nepal-India border and checkpoints have identified a total of 4,300 individuals as being at risk of human trafficking, with assistance from the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force.

Those vulnerable to human trafficking include 2,766 women (64.3%), 1,436 girls (33.4%), 15 men (0.4%), and 83 boys (1.9%), according to the ministry.

The information centers have provided counseling services against human trafficking and smuggling to a total of 77,500 individuals, shared Ministry spokesperson Chakra Bahadur Budha.

Vehicular movement along the Saljhandi-Dhorpatan road, which was blocked by a landslide, has resumed from today after three days. 

This is a national priority project.

The landslide debris deposited on the road was cleared following two days of continuous efforts.

The landslide triggered by heavy rainfall on Monday evening blocked the road at Dharabot, Dhorpatan Municipality-7. 

After the road was blocked, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists travelling to Dhorpatan Wildlife Reserve faced difficulties.

Deputy Mayor of Dhorpatan Municipality Dhan Bahadur Kayat said that tourists have now started heading towards their destinations.

He said that it took three days to clear the road due to the sheer size of the landslide in that area.

Besides, he mentioned that the locals have been facing problems in commuting due to the lack of alternative routes.

Meanwhile, the Municipality and the police have urged tourists coming to Dhorpatan to only travel after checking the weather and road conditions.