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The 7th Annual Water and Peace Seminar 2025, titled "Diplomacy, Dialogue, Discourses: Exploring Potentials and Challenges for Inclusive Water Cooperation," is currently taking place from March 26-27 at Hotel Himalaya in Kathmandu, Nepal. It brings together experts, members of civil society, policymakers, and academics from around the world to discuss the future of water diplomacy, with a particular focus on South Asia.

The seminar's discussions revolve around the importance of transboundary water cooperation, inclusivity, and fostering sustainable and effective cooperation over shared water resources.

Prof. Sanjay Chaturvedi, Vice President (Outreach), South Asian University, in his welcome remarks, said that this event being held in Nepal is very significant as Nepal is home to the Himalayas, which is the largest source of freshwater in the world; hence Nepal can be a bridge for these types of dialogue and discussions, reads a statement issued by Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement.

Medha Bisht, Associate Professor of South Asia University and convener of the seminar,r feels that Water Diplomacy in the Himalayan rivers needs a paradigmatic shift in South Asia. Deliberation on the same would make participants learn about best practices from other regions and understand limitations and challenges on themes around inclusivity and participation.

Susanne Schemeir, Head of Department, Water Governance at IHE Delft, said, "It's great to have the 7th Water and Peace seminar here in Nepal, a country where a lot of water management and water cooperation is happening. This year we are focusing on inclusivity, a critical topic regarding water sharing and cooperation. Because different actors, such as government actors, civil society representatives, women, youth, and indigenous communities, are involved in the decision-making processes. So we want to bring all of them together and bring out new ideas." 

For Nepal, water diplomacy is of particular importance. 

“It allows the country to engage in constructive dialogues, ensuring equitable access to water resources, reducing tensions, and promoting sustainable development across borders. As Nepal continues to address complex transboundary water issues, creating inclusive and cooperative frameworks is crucial to safeguarding its water future and fostering regional harmony.”

Pramod Jaiswal, Research Director of NIICE, shared, "This event is the first of its kind here in Nepal and it has managed to bring together more than 60 in-person participants and over 50 online participants from 30 countries. It is an important platform to generate new ideas for fostering sustainable and safe cooperation over water resources. It will foster inclusivity by bringing together the experience of various stakeholders". 

The seminar is jointly organized by the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, South Asian University (SAU), and Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE). This week-long program will continue with the seminar till tomorrow, the 27th of March. The Young Water Diplomat Workshop preceded it and will be followed by the research method school on water diplomacy.

Wildfires driven by strong winds have devastated parts of South Korea’s southern regions, killing at least 19 people, destroying more than 200 structures, and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, Alzajeera reported.

A helicopter pilot was among those killed on Wednesday when his aircraft crashed while attempting to stop fires in Uiseong, one of the worst-hit locations, according to officials.

The wildfires, which began last Friday, have devoured 43,330 acres (17,535 hectares) of land, destroying a historic Buddhist temple as well as houses, industries, automobiles, and other property, according to Alzajeera.

The government's emergency response centre reports that nineteen individuals have been hurt.

Observers claim that, the present wildfires are the third-largest in South Korean history in terms of land use.
 

As the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision on the expansion of Birgunj’s highway progresses, homeowners and traders along the main road have begun protesting against it. On March 12, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Road Department’s plan to widen the main road from Gandak Chowk to Miteri Bridge via Murali, Ghantaghar, Maisthan, Adarshnagar, Chhapakaiya, and Birgunj Customs. The expansion, covering 25 meters on both sides, falls under the Tribhuvan Highway.

To enforce this decision, the Road Division Office, Hetauda, ​​directed the Survey Office, Birgunj, on March 22 to demarcate the designated area for expansion. Additionally, in a meeting on March 19, initiated by Birgunj Metropolitan City, government office heads along the main road pledged to remove their structures immediately. However, as soon as implementation began, affected homeowners and traders started protesting. They demand that the government compensate them for their properties if the expansion proceeds.

Jawahar Prasad Gupta, coordinator of the Birgunj Bachau Sangharsha Committee, announced that the Birgunj market would be closed on Thursday morning until noon. He added that homeowners and traders would gather at Adarshnagar Chowk at 10 am, march to the District Administration Office in Parsa, and submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Chief District Officer.

A meeting of affected homeowners and traders has been scheduled for Wednesday at Ranisati Athi Sadan, where further protest plans will be decided. Gupta, also the ward chairman of Birgunj-9, stated, “We want development, but not at the cost of making us homeless.” He argued that expanding the main road by 25 meters on each side is unnecessary, as alternative roads, including bypass and inner bypass routes, already exist. According to him, the expansion would displace over 1,100 homeowners and disrupt businesses operating in the affected buildings.

Arvind Gupta, a homeowner in Murali, criticized the decision’s execution, stating, “The full text of the Supreme Court’s verdict has not been released, yet authorities are using fear tactics against homeowners and traders.” He vowed to continue protesting, saying, “We will take to the streets, no matter the consequences.” He further argued that many streets in Birgunj lack adequate space for fire engines and ambulances, yet the focus remains on demolishing the main road, which he believes would erase the city’s history and character. “If the expansion goes through, Birgunj will lose its identity,” he added.

The road widening project has faced resistance for three decades. In 2012, affected homeowners sought legal action after the government ordered the removal of structures in the designated area. In 2019, residents—including Laxman Sah Rauniyar, Birendra Kumar Sanghai, Rajkumari Devi Tulsyan, Bharatsah Rauniyar, and Sudhir Kumar Barnawal—filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, demanding cancellation of the project, compensation, and an alternative route. After 27 hearings, on March 12, a joint bench of Justices Binod Sharma and Mahesh Sharma Poudel dismissed the petition, ruling in favor of the government.

Police have arrested Umesh Prasad Jayaswal, owner of the Shivanagar-based Ananda Hospital, after he was found operating the health facility against the set standard.

A few days ago, Madhes Pradesh Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh had ordered the closure of the hospital after it was found not meeting the set standard during the inspection.

However, Jayaswal continued his fraudulent business by admitting new patients, disobeying the Chief Minister's order.

The hospital was found to have lacked standard doctors, equipment, and infrastructure, SP Dilip Ghimire, Chief at the District Police Office, Rautahat, informed.

He said that police arrested him today after receiving information that Jayaswal was operating the hospital illegally and even charging high fees.

DSP Dilip Kumar Raya, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Rautahat, said that investigation into the incident is underway.