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Squatters have staged a sit-in in New Baneshwor on Friday demanding their proper management. They staged the sit-in in the Baneshwor area under the leadership of Samyukta Sukumbasi Rastriya Morcha. They have demanded that they be provided with land ownership certificates as per the Land Act, withdraw false cases and stop dozer terror among others.

Impact-based power producer and investment manager, Bizbell become first Nepali members of the International Hydropower Association (IHA). As a responsible investor, Bizbell’s mission is to connect investors seeking stable returns while expanding renewable energy access to communities around Nepal. Founded by a group of experienced entrepreneurs, planners and researchers in 2014, Bizbell has a team of highly experienced professionals in the clean energy sector. Bizbell has a renewable energy portfolio of 1000 MW and offers impact-based return on investment. Focused on driving change for a sustainable world while engaging in the community by developing 70MW of hydropower in the remote, western part of Nepal, Bizbell is creating jobs and engaging in the micro economy of their community. This includes over 15 subsidiary companies and joint ventures. IHA Deputy CEO, Pablo Valverde commented: “Make no mistake about it, sustainable hydropower will be key for Asia’s continued growth and independence from carbon. We need more companies like Bizbell, our first member from Nepal, who not only share our mission to promote sustainable hydropower but actively work to propel it forward in the region.” The Nepalese are no strangers to the world of hydropower, with impressive national research centers like the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Hydro Lab. Nepal is at the forefront of the movement towards renewable energy in South Asia. The International Energy Agency published a report indicating that hydropower accounts for 14.5% of total electricity generation in South and Southeast Asia, and in Nepal, hydropower accounts for over 90%. The installed hydropower capacity is expected to grow further to meet the region’s growing electricity demand and electricity export opportunities, and to maximise the merits of a cost-effective and flexible low-carbon power source. Co-founder of Bizbell, Sushil Pokharel says: “As Nepal is considered to be the fourth most vulnerable country on the planet due to the harmful effects of climate change, it's our priority to strike the right balance between sustainability and economic development. We need a holistic approach to protect our natural resources for future generations and sustainable hydropower projects are great examples of how we can do this. I strongly believe that environmental and social risks should factor in all stages of hydropower project development, and we are committed to sustainable hydropower.”

The 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Bajura district on Tuesday has completely displaced 42 families. The displaced families include 12 from Himali Rural Municipality, 15 from Gaumul Rural Municipality and 15 from Badimalika Municipality, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Surya Bahadur Thapa. Similarly, 12 affected families from Badimalika, four from Himali and 14 from Gaumul are taking shelter in their relatives' houses, he said, adding that other five affected families are living in tents, and a family in a temple. Around 400 houses were damaged in the quake, according to the District Police Office. Most of the affected local level in the quake is Badimalika Municipality, said Thapa. The houses completely destroyed by the quake included 21 in Badimalika, three in Budhinanda, one in Budhiganga, 19 in Himali, 11 in Gaumul, four in Khaptad Chhededaha, one in Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality. Partially damaged houses included 31 in Badimalika, nine in Budhinanda, nine in Himali, five in Khaptad Chhededaha, and five in Gaumul. The houses that got general damages were 187 in Badimalika, one in Budhinanda, 40 in Himali and one in Swamikartik. A person was killed and many others were injured in the quake. The deceased was identified as Jamuna Rokaya of Jurile at Gaumul Rural Municipality-2. The injured have been identified as Rajdal Bohara of Gaumul-1, Chandra Mahat of Badimalika Municipality-2, six-year-old Sushrita Thapa of Himali Rural Municipality-1 and 16-year-old Sarita Nepali, said the police. Of the injured, Bohara, Mahat and Nepali were discharged from the hospital, while others are receiving treatment at a local health post, said Thapa, adding that 35 sheep belonging to one Amlis at Gaumul-1 were killed in the tragedy.  

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has formed an expert-led panel to seek recommendations to bring reforms in the country’s public transportation system. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Narayan Kaji Shrestha formed the ‘study task force on vehicle pollution, road safety and road accident reduction’. Former secretary Sharad Chandra Paudel is the coordinator of the seven-member task force. The task force is assigned to prepare a report based on its study. Former Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Nepal Police Bigyan Raj Sharma, Prof Dr Padam Bahadur Shahi of Pulchowk Engineering Campus, public transport expert Madhu Sudan Acharya and engineer Bijay Gautam are the members in the task force. The task force shall have a representative from the public transport entrepreneur. Director General of Transport Management Department Dr Tokraj Pandey is the member-secretary of the task force, the Ministry stated issuing a press statement.