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In view of the ongoing by-election of the House of Representatives (HoR), the Election Commission (EC) has sought clarification from Madhesh Province Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav for violating the election code of conduct. The EC said that the Chief Minister's visit to the Pacharauta Municipality was against the election code of conduct when the House of Representatives (HoR) by-election was underway in the Bara electoral constituency-2. It is said the Chief Minister's visit was not permitted by the EC and it is capable of adversely affecting the impartiality of the election In the 24-hour clarification, the Chief Minister was asked to challenge whether the vehicle he used during the visit had a white number plate and security arrangements for the visit were managed by the government level, whether his move was proper to his post and violated the election code of conduct and whether he deserved the action in accordance with the Election Commission Act, 2079 BS for the violation of Code of Conduct, according to EC Under Secretary Kamal Gyawali.  

Local residents of Baitadi district have asked Chief Minister of Sudurpachim Province Kamal Bahadur Shah to immediately operate flights at the Patan Airport. The local residents on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister asking to operate flights at the airport. Likewise, the locals submitted an 11-point memorandum for the overall development of Patan Municipality, Baitadi. They have demanded budget allocation to carry out repair works of Patan-Lorkha road section and run a project for agriculture and fruits production in ward 5 and 6 of the municipality, adding that Patan Municipality has immense potential for agricultural productions. Most of the demands of the local residents include development of the agriculture sector and road projects. Chairman of Siddheswor Drinking Water Consumers Committee Mohan Singh Bista said budget has been sought from the provincial government for the promotion of religious sites in the municipality including Rameshwordham, Pipaldham, Maharudradham, Bishwanath Banarasidham, Patal Bhuwaneshwordham and others. Chief Minister Shah has arrived in the district along with provincial assembly members Shivaraj Bhatta and Bikram Singh Dhami.

With the impacts of the westerly wind, the hilly belts of Sudurpaschim, Karnali, Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces in the country are likely to remain partly to generally cloudy today. The Meteorological Forecast Division of Department of Hydrology and Meteorology stated that rain coupled with thunder is also expected in some parts of the hilly areas in the Sudurpaschim, Karnali, Lumbini and Gandaki provinces. Likewise, storms are likely to occur in some places in Tarai, the Department said. The weather in the other parts of the country would remain clear. The Department has also urged one and all to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from the harms that could cause from storms and lightning.  

The population of snow leopards has reached 90 in Shey Phoksundo National Park, a survey carried out by the government agencies and development partners revealed. The counting of snow leopards was carried out through a systematic camera trap revealing that there are around 90 snow leopards in Shey Phoksundo National Park with a population density of 2.2 snow leopards per 100 sq km. “This is the first time a rigorous and scientific survey has been conducted in Shey Phoksundo National Park. We need to continue our holistic conservation efforts to ensure that the communities and the snow leopards thrive together in the region. Managing a human snow leopard interface should be our priority,” said Dr Ghana Shyam Gurung, the Country Representative of WWF Nepal. This survey was led by the national park with support from conservation partner WWF Nepal under the leadership of the Nepal government. Local community, scientists, young conservationists and other stakeholders also took part in the snow leopard counting. This work has created a platform for estimating the snow leopard population in the country” said Dr Maheshwar Dhakal, Director General, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Snow leopards are a vulnerable, flagship species and are an indicator of healthy mountain ecosystems. They face threats from wildlife crime, retributive killing, and climate change impacts on their habitats. Moreover, they are among the least studied of the big cats of the world. The WWF, Nepal said that emerging figures are a testament to Nepal’s mountain community’s stewardship for snow leopard conservation, as well as decades of investments into the country’s efforts towards research and monitoring, human wildlife conflict management, anti-poaching effort, and habitat management. "Improved security against wildlife crime, livestock insurance and relief schemes, and improved livelihoods of the community are all part of the holistic approach. Efforts continue under the leadership of Nepal to secure the sustainable future of snow leopards globally, to address these and other emerging challenges, the WWF, Nepal said issuing a statement on Thursday.  

Four persons died and four others sustained serious injuries when an under-construction bailey bridge over the Bheri river broke down at Tallu in Nalgadh Municipality-12 of Jajarkot district. The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained. The injured have been taken to a health post at Radi for treatment, said Gorakh Bahadur KC, former Mayor of Aathbiskot Municipality.  

Ten houses were destroyed in separate incidents of fire in Banke district. Properties worth around Rs 2.5 million were destroyed in the incidents, police said. Five houses were completely destroyed and two others partially damaged when a fire broke out at Gegli Village in Narainapur Rural Municipality-3 on Wednesday evening, said Inspector Rajan Rayamajhi. Similarly, a fire broke out at Janatapur of the rural municipality, reducing three houses and an animal shed to cinders. Properties worth around Rs 1.5 million were destroyed in the flame, he said. Fire in both places was doused with the help of local people and police, he added.

Senior leaders of the ruling alliance are scheduled to address an election assembly in Chitwan on Thursday. Organized by the left-democratic alliance, the election assembly will be held at Kalika Municipality-4 in East Chitwan, targeting the April 23 by-election, said Surya Aryal, secretary of the Nepali Congress, Chitwan. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and former PMs—Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal and Janata Samajwadi Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai are scheduled to address the assembly, he said. Similarly, NC leaders including Bishwo Prakash Sharma and Dr Shekhar Koirala will also address the gathering, he added. NC's Jit Narayan Shrestha from the alliance is contesting from Chitwan constituency 2 in the by-election.  

Devotees have thronged the Matatirtha Kunda (pond) at Chandragiri Municipality-6 in Kathmandu to commemorate the Matatirtha Aunsi. They take a holy dip, pay homage and make offerings to their departed mothers. Matatirtha Aunsi or Mother's Day that falls on the new moon day in the month of Baisakh as per the lunar calendar is observed every year in honor of mothers. Devotees stay awake throughout the night the day before in memory of their mothers and take a holy bath the following day. According to a religious belief, one can see the face of their deceased mother reflected in the pond if they imagine their mother with a pious heart and deep devotion. People visit their mothers with sweets, clothes and gifts to make them happy, and receive blessings from them. Those who lost their mothers visit Matatirtha and pay homage to them. Arrangements have been made for visiting devotees, said Shanta Udas, Chairperson of the Matatirtha Conservation and Development Organization. On the occasion, over 500,000 devotees are expected to visit the pond, he said. Meanwhile on the Day, Chandragiri Municipality has announced a public holiday within the municipality today.