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A recent census conducted by the Chitwan National Park (CNP) found 352 ghariyal crocodiles in Rapti and Narayani rivers.

While the Rapti river had 206 ghariyals, a total of 146 ghariyals were tracked in the Narayani river, according to the Park. Ghariyal is an endangered reptile.

Its existence has been restricted to Nepal and India lately.

Earlier it would be found in Pakisan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar Abinash Thapa Magar, Information Officer of the Park, nine surveyors conducted the survey for 14 days starting from December 27, 2024 in these rivers that flow through the Park.

Among the ghariyals found in Rapti river this year, two were male while there were three male ghariyals in Narayani river, Magar said.

The census has shown a slight increase in the number of the reptiles in both rivers compared to the last year. Last year, 152 ghariyals were traced in Rapti river and 113 in Narayani river.

The spike in the number of crocodiles of this species is attributed to the routine release of crocodiles' hatchlings to these rivers, assessed Magar.

CNP had released 20 crocodiles' hatchlings in Rapti river prior to the census, it was shared. So far, 2,018 crocodiles, some juvenile, some sub-adult and some adult ones, have been released in various rivers across the country including Rapti and Narayani, according to the Park.

Crocodiles' eggs are collected from riverbanks and hatched in an artificial condition at the Breeding Centre at Kasara of Chitwan and released in the river later, he explained.

Currently, there are 139 ghariyal crocodiles at the Center.

Tikapur (Kailali), Jan 17: The repair and colouring of the border marker pillars along the Nepal-India border has been started in Kailali district.

The repair of the border markers has been initiated on Thursday with the participation of the security bodies of Nepal and India and in the presence of Chief District Officer of Kailali, Gogan Bahadur Hamal.

The repair and colouring of the border pillars has been started by putting a new coat of paint on the Border Pillar 73/2 at Khakraula, Tikapur Municipality-7.

Out of the seven main border pillars within Tikapur municipality area, only three pillars – pillar number 700, 705 and 707 – are intact whereas the remaining main and auxiliary ones have been swept away by the Karnali and Mohana rivers.

The locals have been calling for protecting the Pillar No 704 as it is in vulnerable situation.

There are seven main border pillars and other auxiliary ones within Tikapur municipality area.

Speaking at the start of repair and maintenance works, CDO Hamal said works on repair, maintenance and colouring of the border pillars is being carried out as it is the responsibility of both nations to keep the border marker pillars on the international border intact and well-maintained.

On the occasion, he urged the security bodies of both countries to pay extra attention to prevention and control of cross-border snuggling of goods, drug trafficking and fugitives from one country hiding in the other through the Nepal-India open border. 

Five ordinances recently got the presidential stamp of approval, giving the ruling coalition some relief at a time when it has been delaying the winter session of the Parliament for quite some time for reasons best known to it.

The five instruments that got the final seal are the Ordinance to Amend Some Nepal Acts related to Promoting Good Governance and Public Service Delivery (2025); the Economic Procedure and Financial Accountability (First Amendment) Ordinance (2025); the Privatization (First Amendment) Ordinance (2025); and the Ordinance to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Improving the Economic and Business Environment and Enhancing Investment (2025) and the Ordinance to Amend the Land Act-1964, the Forest Act-2019 and the National Park Act (1973).

Per reports, the President had some reservations vis-a-vis the last ordinance, but they got sorted out, ultimately.     

While the government cites several bills stuck in various parliamentary committees as the reason behind the delay in summoning the session, six opposition parties, including the main opposition—the CPN (Maoist Center)—see a sinister design.

The opposition parties fear that the government is trying to rule through ordinances by avoiding parliamentary scrutiny of its performance.

At a meeting of the opposition parties held at the Center’s parliamentary party office on Wednesday, the opposition camp came down heavily on the government, accusing it of bypassing democratic norms and demanding commencement of the session at the earliest.

On more occasions than one, this daily has stood for parliamentary scrutiny of government moves and against a rule through ordinances. A rule by ordinances undermines the very spirit of a democratic polity worth its name as it gives the already powerful executive more powers to ride roughshod over civil liberties and other cherished democratic values. The ‘Ordinance Raaj’ should be an exception, not the norm. As things stand, there’s no reason why the government should resort to ordinances to run the affairs of the state. 

So, the government should do a course correction, request the President to call the winter session without further delays and stand ready to face parliamentary scrutiny by keeping in mind that delays in convening the session will end up emboldening elements bent on discrediting this polity. 

The Ministry of Health and Population has sent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine against cervical cancer in all the seven provinces.

The government is launching a nation-wide programme to administer the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer to 1.688 million girls between 10-14 years old from February 4-18.

Director of Logistic Management Division of the Department of Health Services, Dr Pawan Jung Rayamajhi, said the 1.770 million doses of HPV vaccine was brought to Nepal with the support of Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) and sent in all provinces.

Rayamajhi mentioned that GAVI provide the HPV vaccine free of cost to protect girls from cervical cancer.

He added that 275,180 doses of vaccine was sent to Koshi Province, 380,460 doses in Madhes Province, 125,800 doses in Bagmati Hetauda, 218,280 doses in Bagmati Bhaktapur, 130,870 doses in Gandaki Province, 298,910 doses in Lumbini Province, 124,400 doses in Karnali Provinces and 187,120 doses in Sudurpaschim Province.

The provinces would send the vaccines to their respective districts.

Rayamajhi said four women die from cervical cancer each day in Nepal. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government is making efforts to promote the health and education sectors.

In his address to the first convocation of the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences as the Academy Chancellor, the Prime Minister claimed a progress and transformation in each sectors.

Assimilating the approach of 'prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali', the modernized version, as he said, of the motto of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah' (May all be happy), promoted by our sages, the government is working to achieve the goal, he added.

Describing Kaski as the place of commencement of the Vedic science, he said this is a glorious history for us.

The PM also took time to say that Nepal will explore the venture for development with the utilization of artificial intelligence.

He said, "China could elevate such an enormous size of population from the poverty line in a short time. We should also gear up for building the nation. If we work, Nepal will be built." PM and Academy Chancellor Oli wished the graduates to prove themselves as an exemplary and integrated personality for the society.

On the occasion, thirty-eight graduates under the MD and MS courses in the year 2080 BS took part in the convocation.

The Prime Minister honoured Arbind Kumar Shah (Orthopedics) and Ashish Sapkota (General Surgery) with the Vice Chancellor Award for their outstanding performances.

University Pro-Chancellor and Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, were present on the occasion.

Prof Magnus Westgren from Karolinska University of Stockholm, Sweden gave his speech. Academy Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Duk Bahadur Chhetri said that in course of expanding the services, the Academy has prepared for operating a 50-bed emergency ward.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has instructed the ministers representing the party in the present government to make its works effective.

In a meeting with the party officials and the ministers representing the party in the government held at his residence in Budhanilkantha today, President Deuba directed the ministers to deliver services on matters directly related to the public in a smooth and effective manner, said Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajaya Kumar Chaurasiya. "Make the service delivery on matters concerning the people prompt, efficient and transparent. Give priority to the Ministry's works rather than the party's works by managing the time in the right way," Minister Chaurasiya quoted Deuba as saying in the meeting. President Deuba also urged the ministers to extend the required cooperation in making the government more effective.

The party vice-president, general-secretary, leaders, the party's Chief Whip in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly were among those present in the meeting.

On the occasion, President Deuba acquired information from the ministers regarding ongoing works and the remaining works in their respective ministries.

He also directed the ministers to finalize the legislations under the ministries concerned before the commencement of the Parliament session.

Chief Whip of the NC Parliamentary Party Shyam Prasad Ghimire said today's meeting decided to work actively to make the government effective and successful, and to hold regular discussions on important topics.

According to him, discussions were also held to carry out works actively to finalize the bills under consideration at various committees and to speed up the process for conducting the physical infrastructure projects remaining from the past and other programmes under the jurisdiction of the ministries, among other topics.

Chief Whip Ghimire added that decision has been made in the meeting to take the required initiatives for completion of the development projects awaiting resources despite being included in the budget of the current fiscal year, those projects whose tender call has not been made and those projects whose works are not progressing as expected speed despite the starting of the construction works.

Decision has been made to have open meeting on two stipulated days in a week, to listen to the citizen's grievances, to take the suggestions and to become completely dedicated to the ministry's works in the remaining five days.

The parliamentary party working committee and the ministers shall make coordination through discussions regarding the lawmakers' concerns, suggestions and expectations.

Party President Deuba has also instructed the ministers to visit the party's central office once in a month regarding the suggestions and demands that come to the party central office through the party's province committee, the district committee, region and local levels.

Ten ministers and two ministers of state are representing the Nepali Congress in the present government headed by CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli.

On the occasion, the ministers had briefed Party President Deuba the meeting about the works being carried out by their respective ministries, the problems encountered and the concerns.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 7. 33 points to close at 2, 588. 62 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 39 points to close at 436. 62 points.

A total of 11,749,701-unit shares of 296 companies were traded for Rs 5. 93 billion.

Meanwhile, Bottlers Nepal (Balaju) Limited (BNL), Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB) and Mandakini Hydropower Limited (MHL) were the ​​​​​​top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Pokhara Finance Ltd. (PFL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 29 trillion.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 200 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the gold is being traded at Rs 156, 600 per tola. 

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,880 per tola today