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The number of Sarus cranes in Kanchanpur and Kailali region has been decreasing every year.

Flocks of Sarus cranes used to be seen in the wetland areas have lately become difficult to spot. With the destruction of wetland areas for cultivation, the habitat of the cranes has been shrinking each passing year. This means that the food for the birds has also been dwindling.

According to Hirulal Dagaura, an ornithologist at the Nepal Bird Conservation Society, the existence of this bird is in danger due to farmers increasingly using chemical fertilizers along with pesticides for farming.

The hunting of the Sarus, stealing its eggs, along with climate change and environmental pollution, has created additional risks.

Ornithologist Dagaura said up to five Saras cranes have been recorded in Kailali and up to 22 in Kanchanpur.

This bird can be spotted in Kalikich lake of Shuklaphanta National Park and in the wetlands of Beldandi Rural Municipality. Sometimes during the rainy season, cranes can be seen searching for food in rice fields in other areas and in the Ramsar site of Ghodaghodi lake in Kailali.

Since cranes feed on insects that are considered harmful to crops, they can be viewed as beneficial birds for farmers. When insect-pest control is done, farmers can harvest more produce, but recently it has been observed that this bird itself is in trouble.

Since cranes eat insects that are considered harmful to crops, they can be viewed as beneficial birds for farmers. In this way cranes help control insects and pest infestation in crops, but recently it has been observed that this bird itself is facing an existential crisis.

When ferocious animals like tigers, leopards, foxes, and wild boars come nearby, this bird alerts with a loud call. Therefore, the crane is also considered a human-friendly bird.

This bird, according to ornithologist Dagaura, relies on paddy fields and wetlands to make its nest and feed.

“But in recent days, it is hardly possible to see this bird here. Therefore, it is essential for the municipality and local communities to pay special attention to protecting wetland areas. Along with the importance of this bird, awareness about its habits, behavior, and habitat should be raised to involve local residents in conservation efforts,” he said.

Experts suggest that it is necessary to encourage farmers to promote the use of organic fertilizers and organic pesticides while discouraging the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture.

The Sarus crane is listed as a protected bird under the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has included it in the list of vulnerable species.

According to statistics, there are more than 600 Sarus cranes only in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, and Nawalparasi. In South Asia, it is estimated that the number of this bird is about 10, 000..

A coalition of twelve US states, led by Democratic attorneys general from New York and Illinois, has filed suit to block President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.

The case, heard by a three-judge panel at the Court of International Trade, argues Trump unlawfully invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs without congressional approval. The states contend the IEEPA was not intended for trade policy, Xinhua reported.

Announced April 2, the tariffs are part of Trump’s “reciprocal tariff” policy aimed at addressing trade imbalances. Critics, including Senator Rand Paul, have called the strategy economically flawed and legally unsound.

A court ruling is expected in the coming weeks, according to Xinhua.

Each traffic police officer in the Kathmandu Valley is responsible for managing an average of 1,787 vehicles, according to the latest report from the Auditor General. There are 2,084 kilometers of road across the three districts of the Valley, while the total number of vehicles registered in Bagmati Province in the fiscal year 2023/24 has reached 1,988,819.

The report highlights that only 1,113 personnel are currently deployed to manage traffic in the Valley. This means each officer must oversee both a high number of vehicles and an average of 1.87 kilometers of road.

According to Binod Ghimire, Chief of the Valley Traffic Division, the workload on traffic police is considerable given the current manpower. However, he noted that not all vehicles registered in Bagmati Province operate solely within the Valley.

The introduction of traffic lights, CCTV cameras, and other technologies has eased vehicle monitoring to some extent. The Traffic Division now uses 326 CCTV cameras installed across various locations in the Valley to monitor traffic violations, investigate accidents, and track vehicle theft.

Recently, Auditor General Toyam Raya submitted the 62nd annual report to President Ram Chandra Paudel. The report states that the average annual growth rate of road accidents in Nepal is 12.48 percent. It attributes the rise in accidents to poor road and vehicle conditions, traffic congestion, and delays in completing road construction projects.

Over the past five years, the number of people seriously injured in traffic accidents has increased by 7.35 percent annually, while minor injuries have risen by 6.16 percent. The report points to poor driver training, lack of awareness of traffic rules, and driver negligence as key causes of fatalities and injuries.

To address these issues, the Auditor General has recommended improvements in road infrastructure, pedestrian crossings, parking facilities, traffic signals, CCTV coverage, and road signage. It also calls for better inter-agency coordination and strict enforcement of the Vehicle and Traffic Acts.

The report further urges authorities to closely monitor vehicle condition, load limits, passenger capacity, and speed. It recommends implementing intelligent traffic light systems and ensuring strict compliance with traffic signs to improve traffic management not only in Kathmandu but also in other major cities.

Another area of concern raised in the report is the large number of abandoned vehicles at police offices. According to the Police Headquarters, as of fiscal year 2022/23, 6,982 vehicles—including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers—remain abandoned, with no identified owners.

Although 5,518 vehicles were auctioned in the same year, including 5,478 two-wheelers, 2 three-wheelers, and 38 four-wheelers, 1,464 vehicles are still left unattended. As per the 2022 Procedure for Auctioning Government Property and Goods, such vehicles should be documented, publicly notified for 15 days, and auctioned if no ownership claim is made. The report emphasizes the need to update records and auction the remaining vehicles as required by law.

Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC after attending an event focused on aid for Gazans. The victims, a couple, were killed at close range, according to BBC.

Police arrested 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” during his arrest. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential terrorist attack.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called it a “shocking terrorist attack”, BBC reported.

US President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as “clearly antisemitic” and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting antisemitism.