- Friday, 22 November 2024
Investment friendly environment created in Nepal: Finance Minister Paudel
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has said that an investment-friendly environment has been created in the country.
Swiss Ambassador pays courtesy call on Lumbini's CM Acharya
The Swiss Ambassador to Nepal Danielle Meuwly has paid a courtesy call to the Chief Minister of Lumbini province Chet Narayan Acharya.
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Beautiful Rara lake
A scenic view of Rara Lake is situated at Chhayanath Rara Municipality - 9 in Mugu district.
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Worries over existential threat and ecological imbalance in Kali Gandaki River
Gandaki, Nov 22: Environmentalists and conservationists alike have expressed their concern over the existential threat and ecological imbalance posed by the proposed development projects based on the Kali Gandaki River. The Gandaki river system that lies in the central part of the country originates in the Tibetan plateau and traverses through districts like Mustang, Myagdi, Baglung, Parbat, Syangja and Gulmi and so on to eventually merge into the Ganges in India.The campaigners involved in the 'Kali Gandaki Conservation Campaign' have been pressing for a holistic approach to developmental efforts in and around the River which is one of the vital river systems in the country. Untoward and excessive extraction of soil, stones and other aggregates have threatened the ecological aspect of the river besides risking the lives and livelihood of those depended on the river, the campaigners voiced. The campaigners have called for taking into account sustainable infrastructure development and environmental conservation while advancing proposed mega projects such as Kali Gandaki-Tinau Diversion Multipurpose Project and Kali Gandaki reservoir-based hydro power project among others.At present, environment impact assessment is underway for the 640-mega watt reservoir-based Kali Gandaki hydro power project. The project lies in Baglung and Parbat districts. The Campaign, issuing a press statement, has claimed that both of these projects were not viable projects from river and ecological conservation point of view.The campaigners said that their attention has been drawn towards the Supreme Court dismissing the writ petition against the Kali Gandaki Diversion Project."Such projects could pose adverse effects on those residing nearby the Project sites. The Kali Gandaki river and its ecological balance could be at risk," read the statement issued by coordinator of the Campaign RK Adipta Giri.These proposed projects tend to threaten the natural flow of the river besides destroying the historical, cultural and religious significance of the river, cautioned the statement.Environmentalists worry that the ongoing rampant exploitation of the river and the large development infrastructures based on the river will invite water crisis, loss of biodiversity and geological problems in future. The Campaign has urged all sides concerned not to neglect and keep silent on the looming crisis in the Kali Gandaki due to the increasing humanitarian encroachment. The organisation has called for implementing the development projects in a unique way while at the same time conserving the environment.The Campaign has been stepping up constructive pressure since the past to protect and restore the natural environment of Kaligandaki flowing from the Himalayas. Instituted four years back, the Campaign also organized a programme entitled 'Nadi Saptak', series of poetry recital related to the Kaligandaki river and the need to conserve its natural flow and environment.Campaign coordinator Giri said that they had to launch the campaign as the rampant exploitation of Kali Gandaki will not only destroy the beauty of the river and the river civilization but it will also disturb the human-ecological balance. According to Giri, the growing human encroachment on the Kali Gandaki has led to river pollution, disturbed the plant and animal ecosystem and damage to the biodiversity. He said diversion of the river course and construction of big dam will pose threat to the religious sites, historical structures and natural diversity.Giri, the Campaign coordinator, urged all sides to voice for the protection of the Kaligandaki river ecosystem as it sustains large populations dependent on it. The campaigners have called for keeping the Kaligandaki's natural course intact as it is connected to the spiritual, cultural prestige, biological and nature diversity as well as to human livelihood. Besides, the Kali Gandaki is the only river in the world where the rare 'shaligram' or the ammonite stones are found. The Hindus consider the ammonite stones as the symbol of their god Vishnu. Therefore, the river carried great religious significance to the Hindus. It is feared that increasing encroachment on the river will pose threat to the ammonite stone source. The Kali Gandaki river flows south through Damodarkunda and Muktikshetra in Mustang in the Himalayas and there are many religious heritage sites along its bank downstream. Human encroachment on and exploitation of this river is going on rampantly in the name of sand and aggregates mining for lack of proper and strict policy from the State side.Scores of holy sites on the bank of the Kali Gandaki from Muktinath to Devghatdham are under threat, it is said. (RSS)
Forward7, Sistema.bio to bring subsidized modern biogas technology to small farm owners
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Forward7 Initiative, previously known as the Kingdom’s Clean Fuel Solutions for Cooking, collaborates with Sistema.bio, a global social enterprise known for its modern, innovative biogas technology, to launch an initiative to provide subsidized biodigesters to small farm holders in Nepal and Indonesia.
UML's awareness assembly rally begins
Kathmandu, Nov 22: Preparations for the awareness assembly of the CPN (UML) to be held today at Darbarmarg have been completed. For the awareness assembly, the rally is beginning from Bhadrakali and will reach Durbarmarg and turn into a meeting. As many as 100 thousand people from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and surrounding districts are expected to attend the UML's awareness assembly. UML Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur District Committee is organizing a mass meeting today at Durbarmarg. UML chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and other senior leaders will address the programme. UML Publicity Department Head Rajendra Gautam informed that the mass meeting is going to be organized with the aim of maintaining national harmony and national unity. (RSS)
PM Oli to address UML assembly
The ruling CPN (UML) is organizing an awareness assembly at Durbarmarg today meant to maintain national harmony.
Pokhariya Hospital to be upgraded to 50-bed facility
The government has decided to upgrade Pokhariya Hospital of Parsa district to a 50-bed facility to make it a provincial hospital. The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday took this decision.
UML organizing awareness assembly to maintain national harmony
The ruling CPN (UML) is organizing an awareness assembly at Durbarmarg today meant to maintain national harmony.
Motorable bridge being developed with 175 million in investment
A motorable bridge at Bunwakhola connecting Jantedhunga and Barahapokhari rural municipalities in Khotang district is being constructed.
Weather likely to remain fair across the country
The westerly wind has its partial impacts across the country and the weather is partly cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces and mainly fair in the rest of the country.
15 students of Butwal get MBBS scholarships
In Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-10, 15 students from Kalika Manav Gyan Secondary School, a community school, have successfully secured full scholarships in MBBS in a single attempt.
Immigration Office at Korala shut down
The Immigration Office established at Korala, Nepal’s border with China in Mustang, has been shut down. The closure is attributed to geographical challenges, lack of infrastructure and delays in managing human resources.
