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Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF) organized a round table discussion on ‘Geopolitics and Information Disorder in Nepal’ with the motive to initiate a wider engagement of stakeholders to discuss the role of infrastructure governance in Nepal and to disseminate the research findings on “Geopolitics and Information Disorder in Nepal” on Friday at Basera Boutique Hotel in Kathmandu.

The discussion brought together journalists, researchers, academicians and members from the Civil Society to discuss the issues surrounding the misinformation, disinformation and fake news in Nepali media, especially in the foreign policy aspect of journalism, reads a statement issued by the Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism.

The discussion began with Research and Program Coordinator at CESIF Arpan Gelal addressing the distinguished guests and sharing his views on the misinformation and disinformation prevailing in the Nepali media sector.

“Misleading or fabricated media content on recent issues of geopolitical imports, foreign relations and diplomacy has led to the polarization of the public in several instances, including geopolitical and geostrategic implications. This was particularly evident in the media coverage of fabricated contents surrounding the ratification of the United States’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact from the parliament and even in the vaccine diplomacy during COVID-19 pandemic.”, said Gelal, according to the statement.

Following the welcome remarks, Research Advisor at CESIF, Ajaya Bhadra Khanal presented the research findings. “The study found that in most cases more misinformation correlated with more negative portrayals of a country, hurting its reputation globally with an exception of just one country where more misinformation aligned with more positive coverage.

Along with some important insights on the detrimental impacts of geopolitical misinformation, the study highlights the need for expanded research and collaborative efforts to bring balance and thoughtful discussion.”, said Khanal during the presentation, the statement reads.

Editor at Republica, Kosh Raj Koirala, stressed that foreign affairs and news related to foreign policy is covered and printed based on the political ideology of the editors. He further said, “There have been instances where ideological bias nesses while the stories are covered and printed; the role of editor plays an important role in any media house and news coverage.”

While talking about the Chinese presence in the Nepali media, Parshuram Kafle, Chief Reporter at Nayapatrika, said “There is no pressure from the Chinese side in Nepali newsroom but there is a perceived threat.”

He further stated, “Nepali China experts are rigid and difficult to talk to in comparison to others. However, they blame Nepal for the lack of BRI implementation,” the statement further said.

Furthermore, Professor Lekhnath Pandey talked about images, cartoons and memes being weaponized these days with the use of social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube to set false narratives among the general public and spread misinformation.

A recent study has revealed that approximately 20 percent of water sources in Nepal have vanished within the past year. The depletion of these vital resources has been attributed to a blend of climate change and human activities. This crisis not only poses a threat to the environment but is also unleashing a series of economic and social challenges that are affecting the most vulnerable sections of society.

An analysis of studies conducted by International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMO) and few other organizations shows there is a pressing need to immediately implement intervention measures to stop water sources from drying up. 

Madhav Prasad Dhakal, a watershed researcher with the ICIMOD said climate change and human activities share equal blame for the desiccation of our water sources. “Rising temperatures, fueled by climate change, and erratic rainfall patterns have disrupted the hydrological cycle, wreaking havoc on our water supplies,” he added.

While climate change shoulders a significant portion of the blame, experts assert that human activities are equally culpable. “Approximately 20 percent of the water sources that were thriving a decade ago have now vanished, and water flow has dwindled in roughly 50 percent of the sources,” Dhakal said. He further elaborated that during the dry season, from September to December, flow from watersheds and natural springs has plummeted, adversely affecting millions of mountain and hill residents who rely on these sources for their daily water needs.

About 10m people in the mountains and hills depend on natural springs for water. According to Dhakal, a natural spring supports around 20-25 households. There are several instances of people migrating due to drying up of water sources. “There were reports of such migration in Ramechhap, Bhojpur and Dailekh,” said Dhakal. “We are witnessing a shift from prolonged, gentle rainfall that allows water to trickle into groundwater and recharge our aquifers to intense, short bursts of rainfall that prevent proper recharge of our water table.”

Human activities such as mining, along with the protracted effects of low snowfall, have compounded the problem, causing ponds and natural springs to wither away. Likewise, natural springs near hydropower tunnels are also drying up, studies show. There are several instances of natural springs near hydropower tunnels drying up in Rasuwa.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, development projects are beginning to allocate funds for water source rehabilitation. Dhakal stressed, “We don’t need complex scientific methods to revive old ponds; we simply need mechanisms that allow monsoon rains to trickle into the ground for four months.”

A study conducted by Sanot Adhikari and his team revealed that approximately 20-25 percent of water sources in the Karnali and Mid-Karnali Watersheds have dried up. Local residents are experiencing significant hardships due to the depletion of water sources in the Boktan, Lagam Karnali, Jhimruk, Rangun, and Mid-Karnali regions. These areas collectively have a total of 4,222 water sources. The water discharge from 70.7 percent of these sources is decreasing, while 1.57 percent of the watershed area has suffered destruction.

Variations in annual rainfall patterns also exert a significant impact on water resources each year. Unplanned construction of roads, the alteration of traditional lakes and ponds, the erection of walls, and the use of concrete and piping to divert springs have all contributed to the drying up of essential water sources. According to the study, if these trends of resource depletion persist at a rapid pace and if proactive conservation measures are not implemented, local communities may soon confront a severe crisis. The mid-hills region, in particular, could find itself grappling with extreme water scarcity.

Karishma Khadka, a springshed management associate with ICIMOD, highlighted the acute water shortages faced by communities in certain Himalayan catchment areas, particularly during the winter season. “Land use changes, rampant deforestation, hasty development projects, the depletion of traditional resources, and natural disasters have all taken a toll on our watershed,” she added.

As dependence on natural springs for daily water needs remains high, the communities residing in mid-hill and mountain areas bear the brunt of this crisis. A study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has also indicated that those living in multidimensional poverty are at particularly high risk. Additionally, the Hindu Kush Himalaya region grapples with the dual challenge of excessive rainfall leading to floods and prolonged droughts. 

“Climate change is poised to impact both water availability and the very hydrological cycle that sustains our way of life,” Khadka added.

At least 10 persons were injured when an electric jeep carrying teachers heading towards Kathmandu from Sindhuli to take part in the teachers’ protest met with an accident at Boharetar in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-3 along the BP Highway on Friday.

Of the injured, three persons are in critical condition, DSP Chiranjibi Dahal, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Sindhuli, said.

The injured have been identified as Kumari Chalise of Kamalamai-6, Kamala Ghimire of Kamalamai-5, Rajan Karki of Tinpatan-10, Saroj Thapa of Kamalamai-6, Mukunda Thapa and Bhuwan Thapa of Kamalamai-1, Babita Devkota of Kamalamai-4, Garki Basnet of Banepa-10, Bishnu Dhakal of KMC-6 and his son Nischal Dhakal.

The injured have been taken to the Dhulikhel Hospital for treatment.

Police suspect that the accident was caused due to overspeeding.

Further investigation into the incident is underway, said police.

Two persons escaped from a juvenile center in Birgunj on Friday.

Juvenile Center Chief Tika Krishna Kafle said that Amarkant Thakur of Sarlahi and Pandav Yadav of Saptari escaped from the reform center at around 2 am today.

The center is holding a total of 126 prisoners.

Kafle said that the duo fled from the prison by cutting the fence wire.

DSP Kumar Bikram Thapa, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Parsa said that they are searching for both of them.

Three police personnel and 11 inmates were injured when a clash broke out between two groups at the juvenile center on September 12.