- Thursday, 20 November 2025
Kathmandu, Nov 20: The lungs of the planet or the rainforest of Amazon in Brazil welcomed thousands of climate enthusiasts from across the globe to dwell on the defining challenge of present time- climate change. As in the past, the 30th edition of COP under UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is observed keenly whether it negotiates well to cope with climate crisis.
COP30 has been mentioned also as a ‘rainforest COP’ and an ‘indigenous COP’. Amazon located is South America is also a homeland to sizable indigenous population. With promises galore in the past events, many have even pressing the present one to be an ‘implementation COP’.
It is the penultimate day of the two-week-long (Nov 10-21) climate summit today. It has seen the negotiation rounds and now due to culminate with the political dialogue to finalize the outcome document.
The first week of COP30 saw the inauguration and remarks by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Executive Chief of UNFCCC, Simon Steill, among several others. Brazilian President Lula termed this COP the ‘COP of truth’.
A decade since Paris Agreement
The annual UN climate gathering this time bears further significance also because a decade has passed since historic Paris Agreement, 2015. In the past one decade, there are matters both for celebration and disappointment.
The investment and production of clean energy and green ventures the world has launched and augmented deserve accolade. Striking examples are the floods of electric vehicles across the world. Recently, Nepal itself became a global media headline for its electric vehicles dominating the traffic, thanks to the heavy investment in clean energy. And clean energy is an instrumental measure to lessen the earth heating emission.
On the other hand, the loss of biodiversity, air pollution and rise of temperature are crossing boundaries every year, exposing the world’s failure to launch practical actions to massively cut down burning of fossil fuels.
As per the Paris Agreement, the UNFCCC members are obliged to prepare the nationally determined contribution (NDC) every five year and show the commitment and actions both to cope with the climate crises that have plagued the world. Irrespective of the ambitions the countries have set to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 Degree Centigrade since pre-industrial era is still slow off the mark.
The climate scientists and researchers have been frequently raising alarms over the lackadaisical responses to the rapid growth of temperature, and the unchecked exploitation of the planet for the benefit of select few. The research reports have showed the highly likelihood of containment goal (1.5 Degree Centigrade) overshoot.
“Even if new national commitments are fully implemented, the world is still heading for clearly more than 2 degrees of warming. That means more floods, more heat, more suffering – everywhere. Scientists tell us that overshooting 1.5 degrees is now inevitable — starting, at the latest, in the early 2030s,” reminded UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the Belém Climate Summit’s energy transition roundtable on November 7 in Brazil.
Moreover, over this period the environmental degradation and climate change issues faced sheer denial. It is egregious assault to science and truth once the climate denial is stressed and burning of fossil fuel promoted. The climate denial helps untoward elements play Russian roulette with future of humanity, ignoring science. It is more devastating if even the industrial and developed countries, which are historically responsible for boiling earth, encourage the climate denial. Worryingly, those to bear the brunt from climate change are indeed the poor and developing countries that have negligible roles in GHG emission.
When it comes to Paris Agreement, one unforgettable issue obviously comes bearing biting reality: ‘Common but differentiated responsibilities’. Climate change is a globally common and pervasive phenomena but it has disproportionate impacts. Nepal and several others in the category of the least developed countries (LDC) and the small and island countries, which face much more impact of climate, while they have comparatively less options and strengths to cope with the tragedy. Various climate disasters occurred recently in Nepal, including the GLOFs, are enough to expose the vulnerabilities.
The ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ counts much. The rich, industrial and emerging economies must provide funding for the adaptation to the countries like Nepal in an easy and accessible manner. It has been a pressing demand for long- whether it was while advocating for setting up a Loss and Damage Fund or determining new collective quantified goals (NCQG). However, every country is obliged to update the NDCs and put in place the climate actions to avert the crises.
Nepal’s participation
This time, a Nepali delegation led by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Madan Prasad Pariyar, attended the COP30 in Belém, Brazil. In his address, as the leader of the Nepali delegation to COP30, Minister Dr Pariyar expressed Nepal’s firm commitment to climate justice.
He explained major climate challenges Nepal was facing like retreating glaciers, severe drought, and unseasonal floods and impacts on agriculture. Nepal’s NDC3.0 and zero emissions by 2045 were also shared by him. The Minister urged the developed countries to fulfill past commitments on climate finance.
Finally, as the climate event is due to conclude tomorrow (Friday), the thorniest issues this time too are the climate finance and curtailment of fossil fuel. It is therefore the testing times of the UNFCCC members, especially the rich and industrial ones, again whether they really will be able to accelerate implementation of climate action and cater justice, especially to the most vulnerable ones.
The vulnerable countries are awaiting how much the rich and industrial ones, largely responsible for heating the planet, cough up for climate adaptation. It is time to serve the truth, and make the planet livable. The world is watching whether COP30 from the lungs of the planet serves truth with accelerated climate actions.
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09- Slight increase in gold and silver price
Kathmandu, Nov 20: The fluctuation in the price of gold and silver in the international market has its impact in the domestic market as well. The price of both gold and silver has slightly climbed today as compared to Wednesday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has gone up by Rs 700 per tola (11.66 grammes) while the price of the same weight of silver has increased by Rs 35 today compared to the previous day.
The price of a tola of gold has been determined at Rs 243,000 while that of silver at Rs 3,185 per tola today, the Federation has stated.
The price of gold in the international market is 4,075 US dollars per ounce in the international market today.
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10- Indigenous Kalanamak variety of rice on verge of disappearance in Banke
Ranjha (Banke), Nov 20: The Kalanamak variety of rice is gradually disappearing in Banke as farmers are giving it less preference, citing low productivity.
According to farmers, this rice variety requires more care and greater access to irrigation. It is also highly vulnerable to pest attacks. As a result, farmers now prefer hybrid rice seeds over this indigenous variety, said Agriculture Knowledge Centre Banke’s information officer and senior crops development officer, Santosh Pathak.
Although Kalanamak rice remains a favourite among high-profile consumers and tourists, farmers have shifted to other varieties. This small-grained, aromatic rice has been overshadowed by hybrid varieties and commercial farming. Its cultivation has now reached almost zero. However, the Centre has decided to initiate its promotion.
This year, rice has been cultivated on 34,190 hectares of land, but Kalanamak and other indigenous varieties are not even recorded. The Centre has begun efforts to reintroduce their significance among farmers.
The Kalanamak plant is tall and prone to falling over. To address this, the Centre has introduced seeds with shorter plant height. Farmers have also been advised to maintain a proper balance of chemical fertilizers for better results. Trial cultivation is being carried out on one hectare of land owned by Ganga Narayan Chaudhary of Titihariya, Baijanath rural municipality-8, Banke. Chaudhary said he plans to harvest the crop very soon, with an estimated yield of around 30 quintals. Despite challenges in its cultivation, there is no problem with market demand. Kalanamak sells at around Rs 10,000 per quintal, compared to Rs 3,500 per quintal for ordinary rice.
The high price is attributed to the elevated production cost, as the crop takes around six months to mature for harvesting.
Farmers in the area prefer hybrid varieties such as Ramdhan, Radha-4, MP-60, and Gorkhnath. Centre Chief and senior crops expert Binod Ghimire said that although the Centre is committed to promoting Kalanamak rice, farmers remain less interested due to specific challenges related to its cultivation. Under the Small and Aromatic Rice Promotion Programme, farmers have been provided subsidies on seeds and agricultural technology, it is said.
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11- Weeklong Bibaha Panchami festival commencing from today with ‘nagar darshan’ rituals
Dhanusha, Nov 20: The weeklong revered Sitaram Bibaha Panchami festival celebrated every year in Janakpurdham is commencing from today with the observance of the ‘nagar darshan’ rituals.
All preparations have been completed for the grand religious cum cultural festival, the Janaki Temple Management Committee has stated.
Works from cleaning to the construction of attractive tents and pavilions have been carried out in the Janaki Temple area, Rangabhumi ground and Bahrabigha premises. These sacred places have been decorated and attractive colourful lights have also been installed.
The main rituals associated with the Bibah Panchami festival will take place at the Janaki Temple and the Bahrabigaha Rangabhumi ground.
Temple priest Mahantha Ramroshan said that none of the three tiers of the government has provided assistance for organizing the festival this year. He said that in previous years, government agencies provided financial or managerial support, but this time no support was received.
The Janaki Temple Management Committee has stated that a large number of sadhus, holymen, saints, ascetics, monks and nuns are expected to arrive here from various religious centres in India, including Ayodhya, Rishikesh and Haridwar this year.
This festival, one of the main religious events in Janakpurdham which is known as the cultural capital of Mithila, has been a major means of strengthening Nepal–India religious relations for years.
Various religious and cultural rituals are held as part of this festival. These rituals include – the ‘nagar darshan’ ritual taking place today, the ‘phoolbari leela’ ritual on Friday, the ‘dhanush yagya’ ritual on November 22, the ’tilakotsav’ ritual on November 23, the ‘matkor’ ritual on November 24, the ‘swoyambar and subha bibah’ rituals on November 25 and the ‘Ramkalewa’ ritual on November 26.
Every year, on the fifth day of the waxing moon in Mangsir month, thousands of devotees from various parts of Nepal and India visit Janakpurdham to celebrate this festival.
Chief District Officer Prem Prasad Luintel said the security plan has been tightened targeting the large sea of people attending the Bibah Panchami festival. He stated that a sufficient number of Nepal Police, Armed Police, and Traffic Police will be deployed considering the large crowd.
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12- Bagmati raises revenue of Rs 11.59 billion in first four months
Bagtmati, Nov 20: The Bagmati province government has raised revenue over Rs 11.59 billion or 17.18 percent of its annual target for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
The land and house registration and vehicle tax are considered the major sources of revenue of the province government.
As it was estimated to collect revenue of Rs 30.891 billion in the fiscal year 2082/83 BS, around 22.45 percent of the target or 6.936 billion has been raised during the period from Shrawan (mid-August) to Kartik (mid-November), said Public Information Officer at the Internal Affairs and Planning Ministry of the Bagmati Province, Suraj Paudel.
Under the land and house registration category, Rs 1.237 billion or 16.7 percent of the annual target was collected.
Likewise, the province government has collected revenue of Rs 2.411 billion or 28.2 percent of the target under the vehicle tax heading during the reporting period, it is stated.
Other sources of revenue of the province government during the period included Rs 2.495 billion from Value Added Tax and Rs 843.6 million from the excise duty, the ministry shared.
Information Officer Paudel further said that the province government received Rs 3.463 billion or 23.37 percent of the estimated revenue from the equalization grant of the federal government.
The province government has collected Rs 1.132 billion or 23.70 percent of the target under the internal sources during the reporting period of the fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
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13 – Gen Z Martyr’s family calls for justice to dreams of lost one
Bibek Mishra/RSS
Belbari (Morang), Nov 20: Shreeyam Chaulagain, a permanent resident of Laxmimarga in Belbari municipality-11 of Morang, is among the youths who attained martyrdom during the September 8–9 Gen Z movement.
It had only been a few years since his family had temporarily moved to Kathmandu for Shreeyam’s further studies after he completed his SEE from his hometown. He was a 12th-grade student at Kathmandu’s Global College when preparations for the Gen Z movement were underway. Still dressed in his school uniform, he took part in the protest. He collapsed in the New Baneshwor area after he was hit by gunfire, never to rise again.
He had been living with his parents: mother Ganga, 44, and father Ganesh Prasad, 52 in a rented room in Pepsicola-32 of Kathmandu metropolis. Ganesh is a transport entrepreneur by profession and the family had moved to Kathmandu solely for Shreeyam’s education, as he had always been an excellent student.
Now, Ganesh’s daily routine has changed these days. He has become actively involved in the Gen Z Martyrs’ Families Struggle Committee, fighting to justify the untimely death of his son. The committee has submitted a 14-point charter of demands, including free education, healthcare, and pensions for martyrs’ families. According to him, some of these demands have been addressed.
However, he said the Koshi Province Government and Belbari Municipality where the family originally belongs have not shown concern over such a significant political movement and the issues raised by the martyrs’ families. “We want to feel that justice has been served,” he said.
He hopes to see the government and political parties unite to build the nation, in line with the aspirations of the Gen Z movement and its martyrs, who stepped forward demanding good governance for the country. As he expressed, their sacrifice should not go in vain, a sentiment shared by many.
Shreeyam’s uncle in Laxmimarga, Rajan Chaulagain, said, “We lost our children, the nation lost promising youths; we all must contribute to materializing the dream of the martyrs.”
He wished for the government and political parties to work in unison towards building the nation realizing the objective for which Sriyam and other several youths had sacrificed their lives.
Shreeyam had enthusiastically participated in the movement voicing for good governance and sustainable solution to the country, but unfortunately he never returned home. Shreeyam’s uncle Rajan Chaulagain said, “We lost our kid; the country lost a bright youth. We all should work together to realize the dream of the martyrs.”
His maternal uncle Keshab Karki said, “He was outstanding in his studies. Apparently he had no interest in politics. Two days ago, he had indicated his sister abroad to join the protests during a conversation.”
He further said, “Shreeyam joined the September 8 protests with a mission to give country an outlet but obtained martyrdom during the struggle.”
“I suddenly knew the news about the shooting at him. At the time, I was in the process of selecting players in the Tripureshwor-based Stadium,” Karki narrated.
He further recounted, “I myself reached the Trauma Centre where I found Shreeyam’s name in the seventh number.
It was like my head was about to burst. It took a long time for me to stabilize. I was occupied by the past memories with him. I could not dare to pass on the tragic news to the family members.”
Likewise, school principal Thaneswor Dhakal said, “Shreeyam was diligent and honest student. He was lovely for his mates and teachers.” Shreeyam had spent only two academic years in the school.
Principal Dhakal said the school has a plan to carry out some worthy works in commemoration of their student Chaulagain who sacrificed his life in course of the Gen Z Uprising. It may be noted that the government has already declared as martyrs the 45 youths who lost their lives during the protests announced by the Gen Z on last September 8-9.
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14 – 123 families in Panauti and Roshi now have access to drinking water
Kavrepalanchowk, Nov 20: Drinking water projects have been constructed at two local levels of Kavrepalanchowk. With support from the Bagmati Province government and various organizations, residents of Bolakhe village in Kushadevi, Panauti municipality-2, and Bhimkhori in Roshi rural municipality-11 now have access to safe drinking water.
In Bolakhe, 60 households are now connected to a running water supply system. The project was implemented with the financial and technical assistance of the Swiss Government and UNICEF Nepal, and facilitated by the Civic Forum for Sustainable Development.
The village has also been declared a Water Safe Community, having met the minimum requirements set by the Guidelines on Water Safe Community Declaration – 2082 BS issued by the Department of Drinking Water and Sewerage Management under the Ministry of Water Supplies on July 32.
The project was completed at the cost of Rs 342,000, including Rs 40,000 worth of voluntary labor. It features an automated chlorination system to purify the water before distribution.
Similarly, with support from the Province Ministry of Water Supplies, Energy, and Irrigation, the Bhimkhori Drinking Water and Sanitation Project has benefited 372 people from 63 families.
According to Srishti Khwalpal, Chief of Drinking Water and Sanitation Division No. 3, Sindhupalchowk, the project was completed at the cost of Rs 8,461,259, along with Rs 562,662 in voluntary labor contributions, totaling Rs 9,023,921.
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15 – NC Central Working Committee meeting on Saturday
Patan (Lalitpur), Nov 20: The Nepali Congress central working committee meeting that was supposed to be held today has been postponed for Saturday.
According to information provided by the party’s Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel, the meeting scheduled to be held at 2:00pm today at the party’s central office, BP Smriti Bhawan Lalitpur, will now be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, November 22.
Paudel said that the central working committee officials, members, invited members, and the chairpersons of all seven provincial working committees have been urged to attend the meeting.
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16 – World Children’s Day: Call for improved child rights, gender
equality from TU Cricket Ground
Kathmandu, Nov 20: Today, November 20, marks World Children’s Day. In partnership with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the Australian Embassy, the day was observed at the TU Cricket Ground through a special programme themed “Levelling the Playing Field.”
The event aimed to advocate for equal opportunities for children across the country, promote the retention of girls in school, ensure their access to necessary facilities, and encourage their equal participation in community activities.More than 300 children took part in the celebration, which also featured a friendly match between participating children and the National Women’s Cricket Team.
On the occasion, Minister for Youth and Sports Bablu Gupta expressed his gratitude to everyone who joined the celebration.
Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Leann Johnston, highlighted that investing in girls’ education, skills development, and confidence-building is an investment in Nepal’s brighter future. Empowered children, she noted, contribute to stronger and more prosperous families and communities.
CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand remarked, “We believe that cricket is not just a game, it is a platform for cultivating self-confidence, discipline, and leadership skills, instead.” He added that these qualities help prepare competent and responsible youth.
UNICEF Nepal Representative Alice Akunga expressed her appreciation to the Government of Nepal, the Cricket Association of Nepal, the Australian Embassy, teachers, communities, and children and youth for their commitment to promoting child rights and building an inclusive and just Nepal.
To mark World Children’s Day, UNICEF also launched the U-Report poll, encouraging children and young people to share their views on child rights and participate in shaping solutions that matter to them.
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17- Sixteen students from KU present ancient art practices at Patan Durbar
Kathmandu, Nov 20: With the advancing technology, many changes have occurred in the world. Traditionally made items can now be created instantly with the help of technology. Technology has also brought a radical change in art.
In this context, 16 students from the Kathmandu University have made an attempt to present how artists in olden days used certain materials in their art creation and how paintings and sculptures were created.
The art works they created under the title ‘The Materiality of Art: Ephemeral Art Practices in the Nepali Artworld’ is currently on display at the Patan Durbar Museum.
The KU Department of Art and Design students have also tried to show how colours were traditionally made and used. The students have highlighted materials used in daily life through art.
Art lecturer Anil Shahi from Kathmandu University explained that the students have made their own art works by studying how painters traditionally created art and have exhibited these paintings.
According to him, the art exhibition, which mostly emphasises the Newar culture of the Kathmandu Valley, features artworks created for display representing everything from the Ghantaghar to Gai Jatra, Laxmi Puja, Bhai Puja, and the art employed in Newar jankhu rituals.
The students have presented the ‘wood block print’ technology used by the artists in ancient times. Shahi said that students have created art by interviewing with seniors to understand how artworks were made in the old days.
Devendra Thumkeli, the member secretary of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, stated that it is important for students to adopt the techniques used by their predecessors and display them in art exhibitions.The exhibition that began on November 17 will conclude tomorrow.
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