- Thursday, 8 January 2026
Chitwan, Jan 7: Nine rhinos have died in Chitwan National Park (CNP) and surrounding areas since July 17. These rhinos died in the park area, the adjoining community forest areas and nearby regions.
According to CNP information officer, Avinas Thapa Magar, five male and three female rhinos have died since Saun (July 17). He informed that the gender of one could not be identified.
He said that among the dead rhinos, one died due to an electrocution while the rest died due to natural causes. Magar said that the death of a male rhino was reported as recently as on January 6. According to him, the male rhino of approximately 35 years was found dead in the Kumroj buffer zone community forest.
“It is estimated that this rhino died in a fight with another one. The rhino’s horn and hooves were intact,” he added.
The CNP Information Officer Magar stated that rhinos die every year due to various reasons, primarily naturally, by electric shock, fighting among themselves, or getting stuck in swamps.
According to him, there are 694 rhinos in CNP according to the latest count.
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08- Chhurpi exports via Mechi Customs increases
Jhapa, Jan 7: The export of Chhurpi (hardened cheese made from yak milk) through the Mechi Customs Office in Kakarbhitta of Jhapa has increased during the first five months of the current fiscal year (2082/83 BS or 2025/26 AD).
According to Information Officer Ishwor Kumar Humagain, a total of 275,246 kilograms of Chhurpi, amounting to Rs 485. 2 million were exported during this period (from mid-July to mid-December). This represents a 32 percent increase in volume compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.
In the corresponding period last fiscal year, exports totaled 217,068 kilograms, valued at Rs 367.6 million. The export value has therefore risen by Rs 117.6 million.
Kakarbhitta remains the main export point for domestically produced Chhurpi. Among the top ten export items from this customs point, Chhurpi ranks fourth.
Chhurpi is produced in the hilly and mountainous districts. Most of the Chhurpi is exported to Europe and America, where it is given to dogs and cats.
General Secretary of Nepal Chhurpi Producers Association, Rishi Timsina, said that Koshi province alone produces 80 percent of the Chhurpi produced in Nepal.
He stated that the government has not paid adequate attention for the production and promotion of the trade in Chhurpi, one of the main products exported from Nepal.
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10- Birgunj regaining normalcy after lifting of curfew
Birgunj (Parsa), Jan 7: The normal life in Birgunj, Parsa district is gradually regaining normalcy from today after an all-party and all-sides meeting settled the dispute erupted involving two communities of differing social and religious faith.
The District Administration Office (DAO), Parsa had imposed a curfew in Birgunj Metropolitan City for the last two consecutive days after the tensions had flared up following a protest demonstration in Birgunj on Sunday.
The curfew was lifted on Tuesday at 3:00 pm onwards after which shops were gradually reopened while schools, markets and factories are in full operation from today.
According to Bhola Dahal, Chief District Officer (CDO) of Parsa, the situation is returning to normal in Birgunj following a consensus reached in an all-party and all-sides meeting on Tuesday.
CDO Dahal shared that the district administration had imposed a curfew since last Monday amid concerns that communal tension could escalate.
He said the measure was taken to maintain peace and security in view of the prospects of communal dispute further flaring up.
CDO Dahal further explained that the curfew was ordered to avert untoward incidents and to restore normalcy.
Since the curfew was lifted, local markets have become increasingly bustling yet again while the movement has resumed on the roads.
The protest was triggered by a dispute between Hindu and Muslim communities at Ward No 6 of Kamala Municipality in Dhanusha district last Sunday.
Members of the Muslim community protested the same day over alleged mosque vandalism and arson while Hindu groups staged protests on Monday accusing offensive remarks against Hindu temples and deities.
The situation later escalated into clashes between the protestors and police on Monday.
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11- Pictorial book on birds found in Millennium Trekking Route published
Gandaki, Jan 7: A pictorial book on birds found along the Millennium Trekking Route, which connects Dulegaunda in Tanahun to Rambachha in Syangja, has been published.
The Pokhara Bird Society published this book in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board and the Millennium Trek Promotion and Management Committee.
The book is the result of an on-site study and research conducted by the President of Pokhara Bird Society, Manshanta Ghimire, and Secretary Hemanta Dhakal, over two years in four different phases to identify and collect data on birds in the area.
Ghimire said that the birds found along the Millennium Trekking Route are vividly presented along with their photos in the book. He mentioned that the bird ‘Kande Bhyakur’ (Spiny babbler), which is found only in Nepal, has been recorded in large numbers, and a total of three hundred species of birds have been documented in this trail area.
Fifty-two kilometres out of the 72 kilometres long trail connecting Dulegaunda in Tanahun to Rambachha in Syangja, is covered by forest. People of any age group can trek on this route in any season and one can view the snow-capped peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and others from most parts of this trail. Anyone trekking along this trail is fascinated with the observation of forests, wildlife, and birds.
Harka Gurung, General Secretary of the Millennium Trek Management Committee, informed that the book has been published with the aim of promoting bird-watching tourism alongside the trek in this area.
He said this trail is believed to become an attractive destination for bird tourism and mentioned that the book provides tourists with a lot of information about the birds here.
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12- Madhi Municipality to implement ‘Collect and Pay’ model in waste management
Narayangadh (Chitwan), Jan 7: The Madhi Municipality in Chitwan is set to implement a new method of waste management. The local government will classify waste generated from households and purchase it based on weight under the “Collect and Pay” model.
According to Municipality Chief Administrative Officer Jagat Prasad Bhusal, waste collection vehicles will have seven different containers, enabling households to segregate waste at the source before disposal.
The waste will be classified into paper-related waste, plastic bags (plain), plastic bottles, reusable glass bottles, metal-related waste, coloured metallic plastic, and others. Households will be paid once a month based on the volume of collected waste and its condition.
The prices of waste will be determined according to market rates. As not all waste is saleable, households will be paid only for saleable waste. Drug-related and poisonous waste will be managed separately.
Currently, Madhi Municipality collects around eight tonnes of waste daily from approximately 10,000 households through door-to-door collection.
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13- ICAN launches GAIN Project, aiming to create 50 thousand jobs in five years
Kathmandu, Jan 7: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) has launched a project titled “Global Accounting Initiative in Nepal” (GAIN) with the aim of making Nepal’s accounting services internationally competitive and increasing income generation for the country.
The Project was launched amid a programme held in the federal capital today. According to ICAN, the main objectives of the project are to brand Nepal as a reliable outsourcing destination for accountancy services, develop strategic partnerships, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
Through the GAIN project, ICAN has set a target of creating more than 50,000 jobs annually within the next five years and over 150,000 jobs in the next ten years. The institute also expects the Project to generate around Rs 80 billion for the country through service exports.
The Project prioritises the development of regulatory and institutional frameworks required for accounting outsourcing, the establishment of secure digital infrastructure, training of human resources in line with international standards, and the expansion of high-quality services. Likewise, innovation and entrepreneurship will be promoted through the establishment of outsourcing hubs, digital platforms, and incubation centres.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, ICAN President Nil Bahadur Saru Magar said the project would be implemented as a regular programme from the upcoming fiscal year. He added that the strong presence of India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the Philippines in the global market indicates that Nepal also has the potential to compete internationally in accounting services. However, he stressed that skills enhancement and policy clarity are essential to establish Nepal as an accounting outsourcing hub in South Asia.
Through the implementation of the project, ICAN plans to carry out digital promotion targeting potential markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and the European Union; produce high-quality promotional materials; and expand opportunities through collaboration with Nepali communities living abroad.
The Project also plans to introduce internationally accepted accounting software, launch specialised certification programmes in outsourcing, develop a national talent registration system, and enhance outsourcing-oriented academic curricula.
ICAN believes the Project will result in the formulation of supportive policy measures such as tax exemptions, clear VAT guidelines, simplified foreign exchange procedures, strengthened data protection laws, permission for Nepali companies to open branches abroad, and faster approval of foreign investment.
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14- Shahi gets responsibility of UML Publicity Department Head
Kathmandu, Jan 7: The CPN (UML) has assigned the responsibility of the Head of the party’s Central Publicity and Publication Department to Central Member Min Bahadur Shahi.
The party’s secretariat meeting on Tuesday assigned him this responsibility. Shahi is a former member of the National Planning Commission and a former president of the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB).
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15- Expansion of Nepal-UAE economic cooperation discussed
Kathmandu, Jan 7: President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, on Wednesday, held a meeting with Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai, UAE.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed expanding trade and investment cooperation, with emphasis on attracting UAE investments in key sectors of Nepal’s economy, including hydropower, tourism, agro-processing, large-scale infrastructure projects, and the information technology sector, the FNCCI stated in a press release.
President Dhakal highlighted Nepal’s growing potential and the opportunities available for UAE investors.
The FNCCI President also underscored the importance of establishing a direct Emirates Airways flight to Kathmandu, stating that enhanced air connectivity would play a vital role in boosting tourism, trade, and business-to-business engagement between the two countries.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further deepen economic collaboration and strengthen partnership between Nepal and the UAE in the days ahead.
Nepal’s Ambassador to the UAE, Tej Bahadur Chhetri, was also present on the occasion.
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16- Number of Greylag Goose increases in Ghodaghodi bird sanctuary
Ghodaghodi (Kailali), Jan 7: The number of Hari Hans (Greylag Goose) has increased in the Ghodaghodi wetlands which is the first bird sanctuary of Nepal.
A team from the Bird Conservation Network Kailali had conducted a bird census in Ghodaghodi from January 3 to 5. The Network Kailali’s Secretary Ram Kumar Chaudhary said that the population of Greylag Goose has gone up in Ghodaghodi this time. Greylag Goose is considered the indicative species of this wetland.
Bird census is conducted in Ghodaghodi wetlands twice a year – in winter and summer, and according to this schedule, the bird counting was carried out this year as well.
Three hundred and ninety-four Greylag Goose were counted in this bird sanctuary in 2022. Their number decreased to 316 in 2023 while it went up to 411 in 2024. It again dropped to 372 in 2025.
According to Chaudhary, the number of Greylag Goose has increased to 429 this year.
Although the number of the Greylag Goose has increased, the number of other water birds has decreased in Ghodaghodi.
The bird census conducted in 2022 counted 1,685 birds while this number decreased to 1,221 in 2023. It increased to 1,437 in 2024. The number of aquatic birds in Ghodaghodi wetlands was 1,316 in 2025 and it has gone down to 1,168 this year, Bird Conservation Network Kailali’s President Dayaram Chaudhary said.
There are 24 small and big lakes in Ghodaghodi wetland region. The Ghodaghodi Lake is the largest natural water lake in the Tarai region of the country. Ghodaghodi and Nakarod lakes are considered the most suitable habitat of water birds.
Network Kailali President Chaudhary stated that previously the population of aquatic birds in Ghodaghodi was around 2,022 and it has decreased to about 1,100 in recent days.
According to him, the number of aquatic birds is decreasing in Ghodaghodi due to the depletion in their habitat, it becoming unsafe and the decrease in bird food.
The Sudurpaschim provincial government declared Ghodaghodi as the country’s first bird sanctuary on March 11, 2022, recognizing that this wetland was an important habitat for native and migratory birds.
Birds of 381 species are found in and around Ghodaghodi wetlands.
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17- Police have citizens’ trust, we will conduct election peacefully: Police Spokesperson Kafle
Kathmandu, Jan 7: With less than two months for the country to go for election to the House of Representatives members that the current interim government is mandated to conduct, security remains the first and foremost requisite for a successful and peaceful election.
Towards this, the Nepal Police, a federal entity with more than 79,000 positions and above 75,000 personnel working, asserted that it is committed to conduct the upcoming March 5’s election in a free, fair and fear-less environment.
The Nepal Police, responsible for ensuring inner-circle election security, has called on the public to remain confident in the security arrangements.
As the entire country has entered into election mode, the talked with Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Abhi Narayan Kafle, who is the Spokesperson of the Nepal Police.
The talk covered key security issues such as prison escapes, weapons looted by the demonstrators during the Gen-Z movement in last September 8 and 9, election security preparedness and morale of the security personnel in the wake of these untoward incidents.
Regarding overall security situation of the country at present, Spokesperson Kafle said that the police have put a robust and reliable security arrangement in place. All police units have been mobilized effectively while the election-centric security operations are already underway, he mentioned.
Kafle further explained that election cells have been formed from federal to provincial and district level with designated focal persons assigned to each cell.
To ensure a favorable environment for the election, he added that police subordinate have been deployed to conduct election-targeted patrolling, picketing and checking.
According to Spokesperson Kafle, efforts are underway to expedite the reconstruction of the police offices damaged during the Gen-Z uprising along with the repair, maintenances and operation of police vehicles at full capacity.
Moreover, police have been conducting regulator monitoring and patrolling to prevent infiltration and control criminal activities in the border area.
Security challenges have been identified from various angles in the election given that the election is going to be conducted under a different circumstance.
When asked how has the police organization taken this, Spokesperson Kafle replied that police has assessed security challenges from all possible angles.
As the Election Day draws in closer, he observed, the differences and internal conflicts among the Gen-Z generation youth groups, as well as between the old and new political parties could intensify.
Due to political polarization and disagreement among the political parties in the aftermath of the Gen-Z revolt, he said that police have considered the prospects of election boycotts or attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
Besides this, he said that police have noted threats or acts of violence against voters, candidates running election and election officers as potential security threats.
Furthermore, the security organization has also acknowledged possible activities of anti-election group such as undesirable activities by ethnic, religious and communal groups and impact of misinformation doing the rounds in the social media as a challenge.
According to him, challenges may arise due to geographical remoteness of certain regions, difficult terrains in hilly and mountainous areas and adverse weather conditions.
As for facing any election related security challenges by far, the Spokesperson ruled out any major security incidents occurring till date as he mentioned that daily security management related activities are being carried out daily.
To address these concerns, Spokesperson Kafle shared that Ministry of Home Affairs, Police headquarters and all subordinate units are actively identifying security threats and challenges and devising plans based on the threat assessments.
He informed that an integrated security plan has been devised and district-level election security plans are being prepared and implemented accordingly.
Concerns have been raised regarding security risks stemming from weapons looted from security personnel and police offices and prisoners escaped during the Gen-Z movement.
Responding to the query-How has police organization viewed this? Spokesperson Kafle said that police organization has taken this matter into serious consideration and has already mobilized all available human resources within the organization to recover the looted arms and apprehend prisoners at large.
During the talks with RSS, he divulged that police have adopted a unified and coordinated approach among all security mechanisms to address this issue.
Add to that, he said that Nepal Police has launched a special campaign to arrest the absconding criminals and recover the stolen and missing weapons.
According to him, arrests of fugitive, prisoners and detainees are being made on a daily basis while information collection and targeted search operations are ongoing in the identified areas at present.
‘Most of the wanted criminal and stolen weapons have been successfully brought under control,’ he articulated.
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18- Minister Kharel urges journalists to practice responsible, accountable journalism
Bhaktapur, Jan 7: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel has emphasized the need for credibility, balance, and fact-based reporting in journalism.
Inaugurating the 29th Establishment Day celebration of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Bhaktapur chapter, here today, the Minister who also serves as the Government Spokesperson questioned the credibility of reports claiming that he would be competing in the election.
He reiterated that the election scheduled for March 5 would be conducted in an impartial, free, and fair manner. He also urged journalists to cover election-related news in line with journalistic principles, norms, and values.
The Minister said he has not yet decided whether to contest the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.
He clarified that, as of now, he has neither decided to contest the election nor joined any political party. “I have neither discussed this matter with any political party nor made any commitments,” he said.
Stating that the main priority of the Sushila Karki-led government is to conduct the election successfully, the Minister said that he, along with other members of the Cabinet, is focused on ensuring that the election is held in a free, fair, and impartial environment.
Emphasizing the need for credibility, balance, and fact-based reporting in journalism, he reiterated that the election scheduled for March 5 would be conducted in an impartial, free, and fair manner. He also urged journalists to cover election-related news in line with journalistic principles, norms, and values.
The Minister further said that effective voter education, fair conduct of the election, nomination of capable candidates, proper voting practices, the importance of high voter turnout, and the election of good leadership become crucial as the election approaches. He added that the role of the media would be vital in achieving these objectives.
Minister Kharel said the media should write news on issues as why the country could not develop and who is responsible for it despite the fact that so many political changes and practice of many forms of governance since 2007 BS.
“There was the Panchayat system, democracy was reinstated, then there was Loktantra followed by the republican system of governance. So many people were in the helm of government. There were so many ministers, but why could not the nation progress. Why did not the condition of the people improve and why the Gen Z uprising warranted, and why so many people laid down their lives in the movements, the media should write on these.” the Communications Minister suggested on the occasion.
Stating that the country is looking for a change, he said, “The country seeks change, and there should be no more bloodshed for change. The days for our brothers and sisters having to die should not return. The circumstances demanding sacrifice should not arise again. In the current adverse conditions, all parties should be responsible and make good use of the House of Representatives election to be held on March 5.”
Referring to the context that media in Nepal has not been able to move toward professionalism and commercialism due to the large number of outlets, Minister of Communications Kharel said, “There are about 13,000 journalists and 13,000 media outlets, or maybe even more, in our country. How can this be sustainable, who can be trusted, who should be believed, is 13,000 media outlets necessary for the country or not, can it be sustained or not, how to preserve these media outlets, we all need to be serious about this.”
He said that due to the media, people are becoming victims of ‘misinformation’, ‘disinformation’ and ‘fake news’, and it is time to think about how to discourage this and how to bring professionalism in journalism.
Executive Chairman of the National News Agency, Dharmendra Jha, expressed the view that press freedom and freedom of expression need to be understood differently, emphasising that as media professionals responsible for conveying truthful, impartial and balanced news and guiding the country on the right path, we must perform our roles accordingly.
Suresh Shrestha, Minister for Culture and Tourism of Bagmati Province, stated that problems have arisen in recent days due to popular journalism neglecting the facts and urged for responsible and accountable journalism.
Other speakers including Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur Umesh Kumar Dhakal, Central Vice President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Ummid Bagchan, Chief of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Surendra Shrestha, FNJ Valley Province President Tenish Rekka, FNJ Kathmandu President Shobha Aryal, Lalitpur President Ramhari Karki, senior journalist Kabir Rana, FNJ Bhaktapur Branch President Sundar Shilpakar and former President Narayan Sundar Kilambu, and journalist Peshal Acharya, who was honoured on the occasion, expressed their views on journalists’ rights and interests, emphasising on responsible and accountable journalism.
On the occasion, journalist Peshal Acharya was awarded the Late Bhagwandas–Rajkumar Maharjan Memorial Journalism Award, Leela Shrestha received the Active Women Journalism Award, and Binod Koju was given the Late Maiyadevi Shilpakar Memorial Journalism Award.
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