KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Incessant rains in Nepal have unleashed floods and landslides that killed at least 10 people with seven missing during the last 24 hours, while disrupting transport, officials said on Saturday. Stay safe everyone!

news.mongabay.com

Eminent Nepali conservation NGOs and environmentalists are urging the Supreme Court of Nepal to repeal a controversial law that allows private infrastructure projects within protected areas. This law raises concerns that it will permit developments like hydropower plants, cable cars, and hotels, potentially exploiting natural resources and harming local communities reliant on these ecosystems. Introduced to attract foreign investment, the law amends existing regulations, easing restrictions on construction in national parks and reserves. Critics, including a committee representing 27 conservation organizations, argue that this could undermine years of conservation efforts and erode public trust in environmental policies, as stakeholders were not consulted during the drafting process. The Supreme Court has issued an interim stay on the law following a petition, highlighting the contentious nature of the amendments. While some government officials suggest that new guidelines are being developed to manage protected areas better, many worry that this could lead to further exploitation of valuable ecosystems.

cleantechnica.com

Archive: https://archive.md/Yg6wU Sustainable transportation leader Gogoro Inc. is expanding its footprint across Asia with strategic investments from lubricant maker Castrol; upcoming launches in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Singapore; and market growth in the Philippines. These strategic moves highlight the company’s commitment to providing eco-friendly transportation alternatives and addressing the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in urban centers

China and Nepal have commenced a joint anti-terrorism military exercise, featuring the debut of a new type of ball-shaped reconnaissance drone. The exercise, known as Sagarmatha Friendship-2024, began with an opening ceremony at a training base in Chongqing Municipality, China, according to reports from Xinhua News Agency. This marks the fourth edition of the Sagarmatha Friendship drills, with the last one taking place in 2019. The exercise, which will run until October 1, focuses on joint anti-terrorism operations in urban environments.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

https://archive.md/o5gRM The article discusses concerns regarding the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and its collection of potentially looted art, particularly focusing on Nepalese artifacts. It highlights the case of a 12th-century Nepalese Buddha sculpture recently identified as stolen, which led to its repatriation after being purchased by collector Michael Phillips. Activists and scholars argue that many items in LACMA's collection may have been illegally removed from their countries of origin, emphasizing the importance of provenance research. LACMA is conducting an internal review of its holdings, but critics note that the museum has not been transparent about its findings or cooperated with legal authorities. The article also reflects on the broader implications of art repatriation, mentioning that other institutions, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, are proactively examining their collections for provenance issues. Experts express skepticism about museums policing themselves and the challenges involved in determining the rightful ownership of cultural artifacts. Overall, the piece underscores a growing movement for repatriation and accountability in museum practices regarding art acquisition and display.

www.telegraph.co.uk

In recent years, Nepal has made significant strides in reducing pesticide-related suicides, which have been a major public health concern. The issue gained attention after Dr. Rakesh Ghimire treated a young woman who had ingested a common pesticide in 2011. This prompted a movement among health professionals to advocate for a ban on hazardous pesticides. In 2019, Nepal implemented a ban on eight specific pesticides linked to high suicide rates. Early data shows that this ban has led to a decrease in reported suicide deaths by approximately 30% in the 2022/23 financial year. Pesticide self-poisoning is a common method of suicide in low- and middle-income countries, with the World Health Organization noting that around 140,000 people die from it annually. Research indicates that restricting access to these dangerous substances can dramatically lower suicide rates without harming agricultural productivity. Countries like Sri Lanka and South Korea have seen similar successes after implementing bans on hazardous pesticides. Despite the progress, challenges remain. Monitoring enforcement is difficult, especially in remote areas, and there are ongoing concerns about the smuggling of banned pesticides. Additionally, while the focus has been on reducing pesticide access, there is a pressing need for improved mental health services to address the underlying issues contributing to suicides.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/21516601 > YSK rice commonly contains arsenic, but most of it can be removed by boiling in water (4:1 ratio) for 5 minutes, and discarding that water before starting the regular cook cycle. > > Why you should know: > > Arsenic [is a carcinogen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_1_carcinogens) and has various other [negative health effects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenic#Toxicity_and_precautions); enough to warrant exposure limits in various jurisdictions. A five minute boil-and-discard step before cooking is a simple way to reduce your exposure, especially if you eat a lot of rice. > > Details are in the study, linked in the title of this post. Here's a diagram from the abstract: > > 

Archive: https://archive.md/9zybz In the first seven months of 2024, Nepal welcomed 647,615 foreign tourists, marking a significant increase in tourist arrivals. This reflects a 21.22% rise compared to the same period in the previous year. The surge in tourism is indicative of Nepal's growing appeal as a travel destination, likely due to its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and improved accessibility for international visitors.

A video about the effects of climate change, change in regulations, piles of trash, cleanup attempts, and crowded lines on Mt. Everest. I thought the narration was a bit slow for me (probably for dramatization). Watch it at 1.25x if you feel the same.

www.japantimes.co.jp

https://archive.md/OIfgF Summary (AI): The article from discusses the issue of modern slavery faced by seasonal workers in South Korea. It highlights how vulnerable low-paid workers are exploited, tricked, and abused under a migrant worker program aimed at addressing the severe labor shortage in South Korea. The investigation found that the program, which recruits workers from countries like Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam, Mongolia, Laos, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, and Thailand, often leads to workers facing inhumane conditions and abusive treatment. Many workers reported returning home empty-handed after risking their land to participate in the program due to misinformation and inadequate contracts. This sheds light on the challenges faced by migrant workers and the importance of quality journalism in uncovering such issues.

apnews.com

https://archive.md/79U9m Summary: The article discusses how Nepal’s abundant hydroelectric power is helping the country reduce oil imports and improve air quality through the increasing sales of electric vehicles. The clean energy generated from river-fed hydro-electricity has led to a significant reduction in oil import costs, with savings estimated at $22 million per year. The Nepal Electricity Authority highlights that the use of electric vehicles has doubled in the past two years, thanks to the expanding charging networks and the country’s focus on clean energy sources like hydropower and solar power. Nepal has seen a rapid increase in its electricity access over the past three decades due to the completion of various hydroelectric projects. Currently, 94% of the population has access to the fast-expanding electricity grid, enabling the country to adopt electric vehicles at an increasing rate. The article also mentions that Nepal aims to raise the share of electric vehicles in auto sales to 25% by 2025 and 90% by 2030 as part of its commitment to reducing climate-changing emissions. To support this transition, the government has implemented policies such as lower import duties on electric vehicles compared to gas and diesel-fueled vehicles. Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is also rapidly expanding in Nepal, with the number of charging stations expected to double within a year. The shift towards electric vehicles is not only seen as beneficial for the environment but also for public health, as it helps reduce pollution levels in cities like Kathmandu. Overall, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles in Nepal is viewed as a positive step towards reducing reliance on imported oil, improving air quality, and fulfilling the country’s commitments to curbing climate change.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/16690943 > Free Online Courses from University of Helsinki, Finland. From Biodiversity, Sustainability to Artificial Intelligence > > If you're feeling like starting a new career path, learning something new or just review the stuff from a well-known university.

If you're feeling like starting a new career path, learning something new or just review the stuff from a well-known university.

news.mongabay.com

Nepal’s Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot distribute land within national parks and forest areas to landless individuals. Land ownership in Nepal has historically been concentrated among the powerful, leaving marginalized communities without land titles. The Forest Act and regulations complicate the government’s efforts to provide land to the landless without violating conservation laws. The Supreme Court’s ruling was seen as positive by environmental activists, emphasizing that land within protected areas cannot be distributed to squatters. However, the ruling did not address the eviction of people who have already encroached upon forest or protected area land. Land ownership remains a contentious issue in Nepal, with a significant portion of land covered by forests. The government faces challenges in resolving the issue of squatters and landless individuals, especially in rural areas. While the government plans to allocate land to 500,000 families, it must do so in accordance with the law. Balancing environmental conservation with people’s rights to land remains a key challenge for the government and the court. The issue of formal land ownership, housing rights, and environmental protection needs to be addressed in a balanced manner moving forward in Nepal.

apnews.com

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Broadband internet was disrupted in many parts of Nepal on Thursday as Indian vendors from whom most Nepali private operators source the bandwidth stopped providing the services because of payment defaults. Private internet service providers in Nepal issued notices saying their services were either disrupted or connections were slow. The state-run Nepal Telecom was still continuing to provide internet services. Two private mobile services operating in Nepal were working, but their internet speed was affected. Private ISPs in Nepal haven’t been able to pay the Indian vendors for months as the government hasn’t provided them foreign currency from the banks to make the payments. The government has been refusing to do so until the private companies clear taxes on certain services they provide. The private companies say they are exempted from such taxes. Wlink Communications, the largest ISP in Nepal, blamed the government for the disruption. “Our upstream provider has disconnected our internal links citing nonpayment,” the Wlink notice said. “ISPs in Nepal have not been able to remit such payments as we are unable to obtain permission from the Nepal government for foreign exchange.” There was no immediate comment from the government

www.nytimes.com

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.smeargle.fans/post/146833 > A shrub in Nepal supplies the raw material for the bank notes used in Japan > > [HN Discussion](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40037396)

news.mongabay.com

- Nepal’s Ministry of Forest Environment is considering new regulations to permit hotels to operate within national parks like Chitwan, as indicated in a draft document seen by Mongabay. - The decision to consider allowing hotels follows the closure of seven hotels in Chitwan National Park in 2009 due to ecological concerns and alleged involvement in poaching, with the last hotel shutting down in 2012. - Despite opposition from conservationists and local communities, the government has shown interest in allowing commercial activities, including large-scale hydropower plants, within national parks, raising concerns about environmental degradation.