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The PHDCCI India-Nepal Centre, in association with the Consulate General of India (CGI) and Nepal Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum (NYEF: Birgunj & Janakpur Chapters), organised a Roundtable Discussion on “India-Nepal Cooperation in New Technology & Startups” on Tuesday at Mithila Awadh Dharamshala, Janakpur.

Session Chair Atul K Thakur, Senior Secretary, India-Nepal Centre, highlighted the evolving industrial landscape of Nepal and India, noting opportunities for enhanced collaboration in the value chain, especially from states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized integrating technology cooperation into the broader framework of India-Nepal relations.

Chief Guest, Mr Devi Sahai Meena (IFS), Consul General of India, Birgunj, stressed the importance of converging new-age businesses across borders, highlighting India’s strengths in IT & ITeS, AI, and other emerging technologies as a boost for Nepalese startups.

Over forty startups and MSME representatives participated, encouraged to join the upcoming 3rd edition of Startup Summit Nepal on Dec 20 in Kathmandu, aiming to strengthen the India-Nepal startup ecosystem.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to provide Nepal with USD 100 million in concessional loan aid to support the implementation of fiscal federalism, strengthen public financial management, and improve budgetary systems across all three tiers of government.

The loan will be provided under Subprogram–2 of ADB’s Strengthening Public Financial Management and Devolved Service Delivery Program.

Finance Secretary Dr Ghanashyam Upadhyay and ADB Country Director for Nepal, Arnaud Cauchois, signed an agreement on behalf of their respective institutions during a program held at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday.

The policy-based loan will be provided as budgetary support to Nepal. According to the agreement, the loan will have a repayment period of 24 years, including a grace period of eight years.

The interest rate will be one percent until February 1, 2034, after which it will increase to 1.5 percent.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Secretary Dr Upadhyay said that strengthening public financial management and improving service delivery are directly linked to federalism. He said that establishing a robust fiscal management system is one of the government’s major objectives.

The program focuses on improving budget formulation, implementation, and results-based management across all three levels of government. 

According to the Finance Secretary, this is expected to enhance the overall budgetary process and make public service delivery more effective.

The implementation of the program is also expected to improve the public procurement system, promote fiscal discipline and revenue generation, strengthen institutional capacity, and further empower local governments, thereby advancing inclusive and results-oriented development.

ADB Country Director for Nepal Cauchois said the concessional loan is aimed at improving fiscal governance. 

He added that the program will strengthen fiscal sustainability and fiscal federalism by expanding fiscal space through expenditure rationalization, increased revenue generation, reduced fiscal risks, innovative financing, and improved management and governance of public enterprises.

The agreement signing ceremony was attended by employees and officials of the Ministry of Finance as well as officials from the Asian Development Bank.

There is no impact of any significant weather system in the country.

It will be generally fair today, according to the Weather Forecasting Division.

The weather service, however, informed that high hills and mountainous areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces will be partly cloudy tonight.  

The Kathmandu Valley recorded a minimum temperature at 6 degree Celsius at 5:45am. The maximum temperature will remain between 17 to 19 degree Celsius today, the Division added.

The nationwide tiger census, conducted once every four years, officially commenced today. 

The launch was marked by a formal inaugural program held in Sauraha, Chitwan.

The census is being led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) under the Ministry of Forests and Environment, in coordination with the Department of Forests and Land Conservation. The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Nepal, and the Geological Society of Nepal are providing technical and logistical support.

The tiger count is being carried out with the assistance of the Nepal Army, Buffer Zone and Community Forest Users’ Committees, it is said. 

According to the DNPWC, the census is expected to be completed within two and a half to three months, with the nationwide mobilization of 25 technical personnel.

DNPWC Director General Buddi Sagar Paudel stated that 1,100 advanced camera traps are being installed across tiger habitats. 

The tiger population will be estimated through the analysis of photographic captures of the species.

An estimated budget of approximately Rs 30 million is expected to cover the cost of the census, covering the mobilization of human resources, management of memory cards, tents, sleeping bags, and other logistical requirements.

The camera traps being used for the census were procured earlier, with each purchased at an around Rs 35,000.

Nepal has started counting the tiger population systematically using automated camera trap since 2009. 

In 2009, there were 121 tigers in Nepal. 

Counting of tigers has been carried out every four years since 2009. 

As per the Tiger Conservation Action Plan, the tiger census was already conducted in 2013, 2018 and 2022. Now, the counting of tigers is being conducted for 2026. 

Nepal has started observing Tiger Day since 2067 BS and counting of tiger population is carried out nation-wide every four years.

The population of tigers was 98 in 1995, 109 in 2000, 126 in 2005, 121 in 2009, 198 in 2013 and 235 in 2018.

To reduce the human-tiger conflict, he suggested providing alternative means of livelihood to the communities living on the fringes of the forests so that they will not have to go into the forests for livelihood and to change the attitude and behavior of the locals towards the wildlife.

18 problematic tigers caged throughout the country

The issue of problematic tigers is also rising in national parks, conservation areas and surrounding regions with a significant increase in the number of tigers.

In particular, tigers that have entered human settlements, attacked humans and domestic animals, or have been found injured are being rescued and kept in enclosures.

Currently, there are 18 troublesome tigers across the country. 

Among them, five are kept in cages at the central zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, seven in Chitwan National Park, four in Bardia National Park, and one each in Banke and Parsa National Parks. 

The government has been spending a large amount annually on the daily feeding, care, treatment, and other management of such tigers.

According to the latest figures in 2025, the number of tigers in the world has increased to 5,357. 

Among them, the highest number is in India with 3,167, followed by Russia with 750, Indonesia with 400, Nepal with 355, Thailand with 189, Bhutan with 151, Malaysia with 150, Bangladesh with 146, Myanmar with 22, China with 20, Vietnam with five, and Laos with two tigers.