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The encroachment on the no-man's land along the Nepal-India border in Kanchanpur district is being removed. In this connection, the illegal structures constructed on the no-man's land on the border under Dodhara Chandani Municipality are being dismantled and removed, said Kishor Limbu, the Municipality's Mayor. According to him, the removal of encroachment on the border has been started from Baduwal Tole of Dodhara Chandani-3. "The work of removing the encroachments on the no-man's land on the border has been started and we have removed the illegal structures on one and half kilometers stretch on the first day. It will be continued," he elaborated. The work of vacating the no-man's land of illegal occupation is being carried out at the joint initiation of the Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, the Indian Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) and the people-elected representatives, among other stakeholders. People have cultivated crops and constructed illegal structures on the no-man's land along the Nepal-India international border in Dodhara Chandani. As a result, disputes broke out among the people on both sides of the border, one side accusing the other of encroaching upon their land. The Municipality hopes this problem would be solved with the clearing of the no-man's land. Kanchanpur shares 129.5 kilometers border with India.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that the UML is moving ahead despite being encircled by all sides. He urged party cadres to make the party dynamic through its 'Mission Grassroots' campaign. The former Prime Minister was addressing a gathering of party cadres at Buddhashanti Rural Municipality here today. The UML was effortful to end the problems facing the country at present by taking down groupism formed to finish off the party, he said. He urged the resolution of dissatisfactions among party cadres and within the leadership through a discussion or dialogue within the party. Stating that a lack of cooperation and unity would weaken the party, he said, "The responsibility of building the nation falls on us. Let's unite for development, good governance and national unity, and make the party further consolidated."  

The National Child Rights Council (NCRC) has urged the child homes in operation across the country to get licenses. Issuing a notice today, the Council asked the child homes to apply for the license within May 18. There is a provision that allows a child home to operate by meeting the set standards. Earlier on January 5, the Council issued a notice urging child homes to apply for the license. But none applied for the same. It has also warned of action against the child homes operating without taking permission. It has asked the local levels and the respective provincial ministry to inform about the child homes operating within their respective areas without official permission.  

Residents of Manang district have headed toward highlands to collect yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinesis) with the beginning of the yarsa picking season. Generally, the yarsa picking season begins from May and it will continue till the third week of June. Local people have set out for Namke Kharka, Khangsarkharka and Narphukharka in the Upper Manang to collect the valuable medicinal herbs. Their main income sources are agriculture and medicinal herbs. "We are heading to highlands to collect yarsa as this season is favorable for the same," said Jag Bahadur Gurung of Chame Rural Municipality-4. They have obtained permission to pick yarsa from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAAP) unit office Manang. Herbs collection is considered as one of the major sources of income of Manang folks.  People from outside the district also arrive there to collect yarsa. Chief District Officer Suprabha Khanal Dhungel said necessary arrangements are in place for the security of yarsa collectors. The collection has begun from the Namke alpine and it is permitted in Narfu and Khangsar of Upper Manang. The possession of COVID-19 vaccination card is compulsory for the yarsa and other herbs collectors and suppliers from outside the district.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged that the government would accord high priorities to the innovation sector. Quality development endeavors and prosperity are possible in the country only through sciences and technology, he said during a meeting with Mahabir Pun, Chairperson of the National Innovation Centre, at the residence of Prime Minister in Baluwatar today. During the meeting, Pun drew the attention of the Prime Minister to grant permission to operate vehicles manufactured within the country, and increase investments in the innovation sector. Praising the government's efforts to bring the laws related to the registration and promotion of vehicles produced in Nepal, he urged the Prime Minister to formulate the laws soon. In response, Prime Minister Dahal said the government was committed to encouraging the innovation sector while stating the issues raised by Pun were for the welfare and prosperity of the country. The process to draft the laws relating to the registration and promotion of vehicles produced within the country had moved forward, he said.

Newly elected member of the House of Representatives (HoR) from Rastriya Swatantra Party Dr Swarnim Wagle has been provided with a certificate of election victory from constituency 1 of Tanahun district on Monday. Chief Returning Officer Komal Prasad Acharya handed over the certificate to Wagle amidst a program today. As per the vote count, Dr Wagle emerged victorious by collecting 34,911 votes. In the certificate handover program, the newly elected HoR member Dr Wagle vowed that he would work in a way the Tanahun people would be proud of. The agenda of development would be addressed, he added. "I will ensure justice to people's expectation," he pledged, adding that he would work in collaboration and coordination with all political parties in Tanahun. According to him, if policy and competence are put in the right place, development potential could be unlocked. He further said, "Collective efforts will contribute to the country's development." On the occasion, Chief Returning Officer Acharya thanked all sides for holding the election peacefully. Meanwhile, Dr Wagle’s closest contender Govinda Bhattara congratulated him for his win and extended best wishes. "Our election campaign and competition were friendly and cordial," Bhattarai said, observing that he failed to meet voters' expectations while Dr Wagle did. He further said that although he did not yearn for position and post in his political career, he continued the campaign of development in this region. Dr Wagle won the election by securing 34,911 votes in the by-election. His nearest contender Bhattarai of the Nepali Congress obtained 20, 122 votes, while CPN-UML candidate Sarbendra Khanal got 8,488 votes, according to Assistant Election Officer Min Bahadur Kunwar.  

The National Women Commission (NWC) received 42 percent of complaints relating to mental violence in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. NWC Spokesperson Chamila Bhattarai said that a total of 1,467 complaints against women violence were registered in this period and of them, 612 are about mental abuses. According to NWC data, 430 complaints of economic violence, 379 about physical abuse, 46 of sexual violence and 612 of mental violence were registered at the constitutional entity in a period from mid-July to mid-April.  

Nepal has urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to invest in projects which are productive and capable of creating jobs. During a meeting held between National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice Chair Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha and ADB Country Director Arnaud Cauchois at Singha Durbar today, the former requested for the same. On the occasion, the NPC Vice Chair insisted on the need of increasing investment in the productive and employment creation projects in Nepal. He also thanked the regional bank for its support to Nepal's development endeavors, expressing his hope for the continuity of the ADB assistance in the days to come. During the meeting, the two discussed cooperation between the NPC and the ADB and the ADB-funded projects in Nepal.  The ADB country director apprised the NPC Vice Chair that a 'portfolio review' of ADB investment in Nepal has improved. He added that the ADB is ready to invest in new projects launched by the government. The ADB's investment in Nepal is equivalent to USD 3.2 billion. Till the year 2022, the ADB's investment was in energy, transport, agricultural, drinking water, urban development, service, rural development, health and education sectors and in the natural resources. It has invested in various projects including Melamchi Drinking Water Project, Gautam Buddha International Airport and Upper Trishuli Hydropower Project. Last year, the ADB had provided a loan equivalent to 255 million US Dollar to Nepal. During the portfolio review meeting, the ADB also awarded the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project, Bagmati River Basin Improvement Project, Rural Enterprise Financing Project and Electricity Transmission and Distribution Efficiency Enhancement Project.