Saving Salahesh Fulbari and the Eastern Churia Landscape

Published On: May 19, 2020 01:15 PM NPT By: Dr Kanchan Thapa

"Biologists often begin autobiographical sketches by describing an idyllic childhood spent in a company of bugs and salamander," says Eric Dinerstein, a noted wildlife biologist. For me, it was no different. I sketched my childhood,  a boy from Kathmandu,] who spent two months of winter vacations in the warm and dusty plains of Salahesh fulbari, playing with the buffalo shepherd, fishing and taking mud baths in the paddy fields. Geographically located in Lahan Municipality in Siraha district, Salahesh fulbari includes six hectares of forested gardens with historical and cultural significance. The area was famous for a species of orchid that was believed to bloom only on the eve and first day of the Nepali new year. Underground water ran through this garden, forming small rivulets, flowing out, and used by hundreds of villagers to water their paddy fields. These deeply rooted cultural beliefs—tied to the various ecosystem services that the land provides to locals—explains fulbari’s significance.

The perverse mathematics of tragedy

Published On: May 18, 2020 09:00 PM NPT By: Subhash Ghimire

A 29-year-old mother of two children, one of whom was born just nine days before at TUTH, from Bahrabise Municipality-9, Ramche, died of coronavirus complications at Dhulikhel Hospital on Saturday, May the 16th.

Keep the border regulated

Published On: May 18, 2020 03:30 PM NPT By: Nara Bahadur Kandel

Territory, legitimate government, population, recognition by other countries, sovereignty and military force constitute a state. Among all the elements territory is the first and foremost important element. And that particular territory of a state has to be defined, delineated and well protected. The people of that particular state have sovereign rights within that designated borders.

Why we should care about museums

Published On: May 18, 2020 02:00 PM NPT By: Prem Singh Basnyat

Today (May 18) is the International Museum Day, the day which, because of pandemic ruling the whole world, is likely to remain unnoticed. Museology and history have yet to become the subjects of intense study in Nepal anyway.

It’s time to reform the UN

Published On: May 17, 2020 03:30 PM NPT By: Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari

DOHA – The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many institutional weaknesses, but above all, it has shown that the United Nations is in urgent need of reform. In particular, the response of the World Health Organization – the UN’s global health agency – to the virus has revealed obvious shortcomings, which reflect a lack of international consensus and cooperation, as well as widespread protectionism on the part of its stakeholders.

Is COVID-19 killing democracy?

Published On: May 17, 2020 02:30 PM NPT By: Guy Verhofstadt

BRUSSELS – The economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis occupy almost everyone’s thoughts and conversations. And for good reason: the European Union, for one, is headed toward the worst recession in its history, with the economy expected to shrink by 7-12% this year. But far less is being said about the danger the pandemic poses to democracy, even though the signals are similarly ominous.

India should be ready to resolve border issue

Published On: May 17, 2020 01:30 PM NPT By: Suresh Sharma

Despite several calls from Nepal to resolve Kalapani issue, Eminent Persons Group (EPG ) report and others, India’s higher decision making echelon has not showed much interest to address the border issue. India has often pointed to the existing mechanism at foreign secretary level. If such attitude continues the age old foundation historical, religious, cultural and social bond between Nepal and India can erode Nepali people will soon develop strong resentment against Indian hegemony.

Justice during Covid-19

Published On: May 17, 2020 12:20 PM NPT By: Jivesh Jha

As a part of preventive measure taken in response to COVID-19 outbreak, judicatures across the globe have announced the closure of non-urgent proceedings. Superior courts issued scores of orders, some of which were intended to remind the state of its welfare functions, while the others were related to the release of inmates and juvenile delinquents.

A COVID Challenge for Nepal Army

Published On: May 14, 2020 05:05 PM NPT By: Kul Chandra Gautam

It breaks our hearts to see the plight of thousands of our Nepali compatriots stranded just across our southern border desperately trying to return to their motherland but prevented from doing so, not by any alien power but by their own government.

Out of this, a better world

Published On: May 14, 2020 03:00 PM NPT By: Simone Galimberti

Over the last month we are seeing how a crisis like the ongoing lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19 is bringing again the best out of the people. I am saying again because it has been the same during the emergency following the earthquakes that hit the country.