Submit your Article

Civil Society has urged the government, political parties, youth, and citizens to work together to restore stability and predictability in the country’s governance amid the sensitive situation following the Gen-Z protests of September 8 and 9.

Issuing a statement on Friday, the group said that it is not appropriate to burden the government that is beyond its mandate and capacity.

The present government was formed primarily to conduct elections and should not be hindered by vested political, collective, or individual interests.

The Society also warned that attempts to spread misinformation would further weaken the nation. “All of us will have to face the consequences if the government fails to hold the elections on the scheduled date. The resulting chaos and anarchy would certainly extend into the long term,” the appeal stated.

Emphasizing the need to safeguard the Constitution and the democratic gains achieved under it,  the Society stressed on the need to end corruption, nepotism, partisanship, and mal-governance.

“In order to ensure good governance, we must work to clear all obstacles and focus entirely on the holding of elections on March 6, 2026,” the Society said in the statement.

The Society further urged the government and the Election Commission to ensure that the polls are conducted in a free, fair, credible, and fearless environment.

Here is the full text of appeal

With the country in a sensitive and complex situation following the ‘Gen-Z movement’ of 8-9 September, it is the responsibility of the Nepal Government, political parties, the youth, as well as the rest of us citizens, to bring the polity back to stability and predictability.

At a time when the state is weakened, it is important not to make demands on the Government that are beyond its mandate and capacity. The current Government has been formed to hold elections, and its work should not be hampered by demands based on vested political, collective, or individual interests. Such demands, as well as attempts to spread falsehoods and suspicions, will only serve to further weaken our nation.

All of us need to be concerned with the kind of outcome should this Government fail in organising the elections on the scheduled date. The resulting chaos and anarchy would certainly extend into the long term.

We need to protect the Constitution and the advances achieved under its umbrella, and we must also end all anti-people trends such as corruption, nepotism, partisanship and mal-governance, ills that were targeted by the Gen-Z activists. In order to ensure good governance, we must work to clear all obstacles and focus entirely on the holding of elections on 6 March 2026. Only the medium of elections can keep the constitutional process alive as well as give unhampered and meaningful momentum to the political parties.

We hereby request the Government and the Election Commission to ensure that the upcoming polls are held under conditions that are free, fair, credible and without fear. Keeping in mind that only a successful election will justify its legitimacy, the Government must put all its efforts and activities into fulfilling that obligation. Meanwhile, we citizens will remain vigilant that nothing is done to mar the momentum that is developing for the elections.

We ask the citizens at large, political forces, civil society, media, the Gen-Z community, professionals from different walks, and all other responsible sections to contribute to making the 6 March elections free, fair and successful. Our country’s stability depends on it.

Presented on behalf of the following citizens by Kedar Bhakta Mathema:

Archana Thapa, Bhojraj Pokhrel, Bijaya Kant Karna, Bijaya Timilsina. Birendra Prasad Mishra, Chandrakishore, Charan Prasai, Dipendra Jha, Dovan Rai, Gajadhar Sunar, GejaSharma Wagle, Hari Sharma, Indra Adhikari, J.B. Biswakarma, Kanak Mani Dixit, Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Khagendra Sangraula, Krishna Khanal, Krishna Pokhrel, Mahesh Maskey, Pradip Khatiwada, Rajendra Dahal, Stella Tamang, Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Surya Dhungel, Sushil Pyakurel, Tula Narayan Shah, Uddhab Pyakurel, Vidhyadhar Mallik.

Shree Antu in Ilam is famous for its sunrise views. Now, a new destination is drawing visitors eager to witness the sunset: Borabandh in Varahakshetra Municipality-6 of Sunsari, a riverside spot along the Saptakoshi that has rapidly gone viral.

The number of visitors coming to Borabandh to watch the giant waves of the Saptakoshi, the golden reflections on the river, and the spectacular view of the sun sinking behind the hills is increasing every day. Ward Chairperson of Barahakshetra-7, Kapil Acharya, said, “Just like Shree Antu attracts people for sunrise, Borabandh is now attracting visitors for sunset. It has become a new tourist hotspot in Varahakshetra.” What was once a quiet riverside hangout has surged in popularity after photos and videos of the area went viral on social media.

The biggest draw for tourists is the stunning sunset scene—an open sky, a calm river surface, and the sun slowly disappearing behind the hilltops. By late afternoon, young people, families, couples, and photography enthusiasts gather here to take photos, record videos, make TikToks, or simply sit along the riverbank. Visitors begin arriving around 3 pm, and by 5 pm the riverside is packed.

Tourists say Borabandh offers an intimate experience of nature. Sitting in a boat, playing with the river’s waves, and watching golden light shimmer across the water leaves many smiling in wordless satisfaction. The growing crowds have transformed the once-quiet Koshi banks. Hotels and restaurants have now opened in places where only a handful of people visited before.

One such business is a riverside restaurant operated by local resident Bikul Shrestha, which has quickly become one of the busiest establishments in the area. “Our daily turnover now exceeds Rs 50,000,” he said. “We serve fish, local chicken, pork, spicy dishes, and more—right on the banks of the Koshi. Tourists leave happy.” The popularity of Borabandh has boosted the local economy, created employment opportunities for youth, and increased demand for local products.

Visitors are now coming not only from Dharan, Beltar, Inaruwa, Itahari, and Biratnagar, but also from Bihar, India. With the rising number of tourists, authorities have strengthened security. Police Inspector Diwas Kunwar of the Mahendranagar Area Police Office said police have been deployed for public safety and traffic management.

The local government has also taken interest in Borabandh’s potential. Varahakshetra Mayor Ramesh Karki said, “We plan to develop Borabandh as a new tourist destination. It could become another key attraction after Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary.” Plans include systematic development with parks, walking trails, picnic areas, proper parking, and improved sanitation.

The name “Borabandh” itself has a story. During the monsoon, river erosion posed flood risks to nearby settlements. To protect the area, locals filled soil in sacks and stacked them along the riverbank to create an embankment—bora (bags) and bandh (embankment)—giving the place its name.

Work has begun on installing a Bailey bridge at Banshilaghat on the Sunkoshi River, an essential transport route linking Khotang and Udayapur. After the concrete bridge at Phoksingtar was swept away by floods, several areas in Khotang were effectively cut off, creating a “natural blockade.”

Because road conditions made vehicle movement difficult, authorities began constructing an alternative route. The Koshi Province government purchased the Bailey bridge and handed over installation responsibilities to the Physical Infrastructure Development Office, Khotang.

After the Phoksingtar bridge was destroyed, thousands of residents in southern Khotang struggled with daily travel. Reaching Udayapur became especially difficult for people from Barahapokhari, Jantedhunga, Khotehang, and Diprung Chuichumma rural municipalities, including those traveling to the district headquarters, Diktel. Once the Bailey bridge is operational, it will provide easier access to major service centers and markets such as Beltar in Udayapur, Dharan, Itahari, Biratnagar, and Jhapa, according to Shalikram Banjara.

The Physical Infrastructure Development Office initiated contract procedures for the installation at an estimated cost of Rs 10m. Among the bidders, Gurukul Builders and Suppliers of Rautahat won the contract at Rs 5.7m including tax. Chief engineer Binam Dahal said all construction and installation work will be completed by mid-Mangsir, allowing the bridge to come into operation by the end of December.

The Bailey bridge will be 51.81 meters long and 4.1 meters wide. Dahal said long-term provincial and local plans aim to significantly improve southern Khotang’s connectivity to Udayapur and major Tarai cities. All necessary materials have already reached the site. Locals expect the bridge to ease daily life and bring improvements in education, health, trade, agriculture, and social activities.

Construction has generated excitement and relief in surrounding rural municipalities. Since the earlier bridge was washed away, schoolchildren, patients, and daily wage workers have all been severely affected. Once completed, the Bailey bridge will ease travel from Khotang to Tarai districts via Beltar. Local traders also expect reduced transport costs to markets in Beltar, Dharan, and Itahari.

Chief Minister Hikmat Karki said the Koshi Provincial Government has identified Banshilaghat as a key road network junction and prioritized the Bailey bridge construction to strengthen Khotang-Udayapur connectivity. The province purchased the Bailey bridge for Rs 18.7m and is advancing the project accordingly.

According to CPN-UML district member Suman Rai, the bridge will unlock new opportunities for local development. It will make it easier to transport agricultural produce, improve access to health services, reduce travel time, and increase visitor flow to southern Khotang’s tourism sites. After its completion, rural municipalities in southern Khotang will gain direct access to the East-West Highway and service centers in Madhes Province.

The 51-meter Bailey bridge at Banshilaghat will not only provide immediate relief to flood-affected residents but also mark an important step toward sustainable development, said Bajindra Bista, president of Nepali Congress Jantedhunga Rural Municipality. He said the bridge will transform transportation, trade, and livelihoods across southern Khotang as well as Aamchowk and Ram Prasad Rai Rural Municipalities in Bhojpur.

The number of tourists visiting Mustang by November has increased by 10.61 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Jomsom, 14,411 more foreign tourists visited the district by November this year compared to the previous year. 

One hundred fifty-one thousand two hundred and thirty tourists visited the district as of November this year.

This year, 124,353 tourists from SAARC countries and 26,877 from other countries visited the district as of November. 

Tourist arrivals in August and September had declined due to adverse weather and the Gen Z movement, it is said.

In 2024, a total of 135,719 tourists, including those from SAARC nations, had visited the district. 

The number of tourists from the SAARC region stood at 109,549.