Manohara River becoming sanctuary for exotic birds

ust 12 kilometres away from Kathmandu lies a lesser-known haven for bird watching. A variety of exotic birds flocking in and around the Manohara River near Bode, Bhaktapur is an ideal place to observe migratory and water birds.

Pangolins being poached for scales

On November 25, 2020, officials working for the Central Intelligence Bureau (CIB) and Nepal Police in Bhaktapur rescued a wild, critically endangered pangolin from poachers attempting to traffic the said animal for its body parts.

World Wildlife Day marked

Every year, World Wildlife Day is marked on March 3 to raise awareness about issues that impact wildlife. This year, the day was observed on Wednesday on the theme of "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet” highlighting the role of forests, forest species and ecosystem services in sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people around the world.

Premature death of elephant raises concerns at CNP

At a time when the death of one endangered one-horned rhino after another in Chitwan National Park (CNP) has raised concerns among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike, the recent death of a healthy elephant has taken those concerns to the new level.

Single, Older Women Wick Making Generates Income

At 74, Ananda Maya Karmacharya  of Lulakchhe of Bhaktapur Municipality Ward No.5 is busy spinning wicks used for lighting the traditional oil-fed lamps (diyos) which are utilised as offerings to the deities. Wicks are popular among the people having an penchant for religious activities. Wick lamps are lighted in all religious rituals by the Hindus. With people interested in kindling hundred-thousand wick lamps at certain religious shrines, the hand-made wicks are in demand.

Precious Nepali wetlands must be preserved

Each year, World Wetlands Day is celebrated around the world on February 2 to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for people and the planet. This year, too, the day is being celebrated with the theme "Wetlands and Water: Inseparable and Vital to Life.” In Nepal, the situation of wetlands is increasingly becoming dire, primarily due to the impacts of climate change, unsustainable development and human encroachments into their areas, experts say.

Human-Animal Conflicts Galore

The conflict between people and wild animals has gone up in recent years, posing mortal threats to both animals and humans. Rare and endangered animal species such as Royal Bengal Tigers and one-horned rhinos and elephants, among others, and many people are being killed because of this growing conflict between human and wild creatures. The rise in this form of conflict has resulted mainly from human settlement expansion and shrinkage of natural habitats of wild animals. Also, perpetration of poaching...

Violent tusker calmer after treatment

Makuna, the violent elephant at Koshi Toppu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) has calmed down for now because of the efforts made by the wildlife experts and veterinarians, authorities said. The elephant had killed Pramod Yadav, 32, of Koshi Rural Municipality-6, in Sunsari district, when he was in his wheat field on December 14, 2020. Yadav became the latest victim of the rogue elephant. After that incident, a team of wildlife experts, including a veterinarian, reached the site and started giving tranquilliser...

Kathmandu records worst air pollution level

Air pollution in Kathmandu Valley reached the highest among the cities across the world on Monday and Tuesday, adding more risk particularly to people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma and COVID-19 infections as well as people with respiratory problems. The air in Kathmandu Valley has been found to be most polluted for the first time after the installation of Real-Time Air Quality Index (AQI) in 2016, said Indu Bikram Joshi, Acting Director-General of the Department of Environment...

'Destination Madhyapur’ campaign launched

Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, in Bhaktapur district, is set to launch 'Destination Madhyapur’ campaign from January 1, 2020, aiming to make the Municipality an attractive tourist destination of the valley. Mayor of the Municipality Madan Sundar Shrestha informed that the heritage walk will be organised early in the morning, on the same day, to show the visitors the historical, cultural, religious and lively art of the Municipality.