Submit your Article

Local stakeholders of Pokhara held a discussion on raising collective voices to save the Himalayas of Gandaki region.

Organizing a dialogue on “The Voice of Himalaya Parbat” at Tuse Village of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-1 on Saturday, they said that climate change has directly and indirectly affected different sectors  in the Gandaki region.

They published a 11-point declaration to unite for climate justice in the Gandaki region.

''Gandaki region is more at risk of climate change impacts,” Minister for Forest and Environment of Gandaki Province Besh Bahadur Poudel said, highlighting the urgent need for effective climate action.  

The Save Our Himalaya First (SOHF) Nepal in collaboration with Gandaki Province Forest Ministry, Province Policy and Planning Commission, Gandaki University, INSEC, NGO Federation Nepal Gandaki, Pokhara Metropolitan City Office, Rural Municipalities of Kaski, Mukta Foundation and Utpidit Mahila Jagaran Kendra among others organized the event.

Around 200 local villagers took part in the event, urging authorities to compensate the people of Kharapani area affected by the floods in Seti river in 2015,   

''It is most painful to recall that incident in which 72 people lost their lives and around half dozen people went missing,” Machhapuchhre Municipality Vice Chair Sita Adhikari said.

Various issues like flash flood hazard in Himalayan region, climate change, women and tourism, climate change and human rights and climate and biodiversity in the Gandaki region were discussed in the program.

Dr Krishna KC, Geographer Khagendra Raj Poudel, tourism entrepreneur Lucky Chhetri Karki, NHRC Gandaki Chief Nitu Gadtaula and Director of LIBIRD Bharat Bhandari aired their views on the issues.

Local people thanked the organizers and stakeholders for holding such an important program in Tuse Village, expressing commitment to keep the environment always safe and sound.

Gandaki Province Policy and Planning Commission Vice Chair Krishna Chandra Devkota, Gandaki Province Assembly members- Govinda Nepali, Nanda Prasad Neupane, Kusum Budha Pun—Prof Dr Kapil Adhikari, Pokhara Metropolitan City Office spokesperson Moti Raj Timilsina, SOHF Nepal Chair DB Nepali and INSEC Pokhara Chief Shiva Khakurel committed to take urgent action to combat climate change in Gandaki region.

Vehicular movement along the Narayangadh-Muglin road section has been obstructed after a truck turned turtle near Tuyinkhola in Ichhakamana Rural Municipality-5, Chitwan on Sunday.

The truck (Madhes Province 03-001 Kha 9817) was heading towards Kathmandu from Birgunj carrying coal when the incident occurred this morning.

DSP Rabindra Khanal, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Chitwan, said that efforts are going on to shift the truck from its existing position. 

Hundreds of vehicles have been stranded mid-way following the incident.

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in a few places in the hilly areas of the country including the Sudurpaschim Province.. 

This is due to the influence of westerly winds coupled with local winds, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. There is also partial influence of the water vapor-rich air entering from the Arabian Sea.

Hence, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces and partly cloudy in the rest of the country.

There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall in one or two places in the mountainous areas of the country. There is also a possibility of windstorms in a few places in Madhes province, the Division stated.

Tonight, the weather will remain partly cloudy in the hilly areas of the country and mainly clear to partly cloudy in the rest of the country.

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at one or two places in the hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali Provinces  and light rain and snowfall at one or two places in the mountainous areas. 

The number of vultures has increased in Chaukune Rural Municipality, Surkhet after the  local government made efforts for biodiversity conservation by unveiling the Forest and Environment Act.

Chairman of the rural municipality, Khadak BK, said that a total of 124 vultures were spotted there in the recent time. 

According to Chairman BK, 12 groups have been formed and two officials have been assigned for vulture conservation as part of maintaining biodiversity.

"The rural municipality has run a Gaushala to shelter the old and abandoned cows and oxen. The vultures visit the site in search of prey as the dead animals are managed there," Chairman BK added.   

He stated that the dead animals are kept away from the human settlements instead of burying them. "So, the vultures arrive in the forest area in search of food. Now, the area has 124 vultures," he confirmed. 

The officials of the rural municipality stated that they are working to coordinate with the province and federal levels and the ornithologists for better conservation measures of vultures.