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Three persons died and nine others were injured when a tractor carrying mourners met with an accident at Dhabeni rivulet in Lamkichuha Municipality, Kailali district today. 

The deceased have been identified as Dan Bahadur Saud (64), Harka Saud (34) and Shital Saud (16) of Bardagoria Rural Municipality-4, according to Police Inspector at the Area Police Office, Lamki, Lokendra Bahadur Singh. 

The accident took place when the tractor (Sudurpaschim Province 01002 Ta 4951) was heading towards Chisapani from Bardagoria Rural Municipality-5.  

Locals and police personnel rescued the injured and sent them to Lamki-based Lal Ratna Hospital for treatment. 

Details of the incident are awaited. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs is preparing to airlift a critically injured inmate to Kathmandu for further treatment from Kailali.

The Ministry has stated that it has taken the incident seriously and has further tightened the security situation in the Kailali Prison.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak took stock of the incident from the Home Secretary and the heads of the three security bodies regarding the overall situation of the Kailai Prison today.

Following the appraisal, the Ministry decided to airlift the injured one who is receiving treatment at Seti Provincial Hospital to Kathmandu via the Nepali Army helicopter.

“The Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force will strengthen security provisions to ensure full security of the jail and to prevent any further untoward incidents,” Home Ministry Spokesperson Ananda Kafle said.

A sky truck of the Nepali Army has already been sent to Dhangadhi to airlift the one who is critically injured in the clash, Kafle stated.

An inmate died and 44 other prisoners were injured in the clash that erupted between inmates residing in Block 'A' and Block 'B' of the jail on Friday night.

It is said that a large number of police personnel have been deployed to normalize the situation arising from a clash between inmates at Kailali Jail in Dhangadhi.

Currently, there are altogether 680 inmates in Kailali Prison despite its capacity to house just 100. (RSS)

The long-awaited second phase of the Rani Jamara-Kulariya Irrigation Project—a national pride initiative—has been completed, delivering year-round irrigation to over 14,300 hectares of farmland and adding 4.71 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. Initiated in 2010 with a joint investment of Rs 27bn from the Government of Nepal and the World Bank, the project is hailed as a transformative leap for the agricultural and energy sectors of eastern Kailali.

The second phase, inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday, includes the completion of the Lamki Branch Canal, which now irrigates Lamki Chuha Municipality-4, 6 and 8. Water from the Karnali River is distributed through a canal stretching 25 kilometers west to the Patharaiya River, significantly expanding the irrigation network that supports farming in Tikapur and Janaki Rural Municipality.

Once fully completed, the project aims to provide perennial irrigation to 38,300 hectares of land, with 75 percent of the work already finished. According to Engineer Navin Paudyal, the remaining 25 percent will be completed within the next six years, including plans to extend irrigation from the Patharaiya to the Kandra River—covering an additional 18,000 hectares.

In addition to irrigation, the project has successfully integrated hydropower generation, producing 4.71 megawatts of electricity from its power plant in Katase, Janaki Rural Municipality-9. The electricity, generated using canal water with an eight-meter head, has been connected to the national transmission line since 31 Jan 2024.

“This is a proud moment for us,” said Engineer Bir Singh Dhami, who oversees the power segment. “We are generating 42 gigawatt-hours annually from a consistent canal water flow.” However, despite being operational for over a year, the power plant’s operation and management procedure is still awaiting final approval. While the plant is already transmitting electricity, a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Nepal Electricity Authority remains pending due to procedural delays.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Deepak Khadka confirmed that the draft PPA has been finalized and the ministry is preparing to move forward with the agreement.

Beyond irrigation and energy, the project is driving agricultural transformation in the region. Through its Agricultural Program Implementation Unit, it supports seed production, provides modern farming tools, and delivers technical training to farmers.

Eastern Kailali is now emerging as a seed production hub, with numerous cooperatives and private firms producing high-quality seeds of rice, wheat, mustard, and maize. Organizations such as the Seed Growing Farmers Cooperative in Munuwa and Top Agriculture Science and Technology Research Pvt Ltd are producing and distributing hundreds of metric tons of certified seeds annually across Nepal.

“Farming is now possible year-round,” said Kumar Raj Shahi, Chair of the Rani Jamara and Kulariya Water Users’ Committee. “Thanks to irrigation and agricultural support, crop productivity has already exceeded the national average in rice, wheat, and maize.”

Prime Minister Oli announced that the third phase of the project has been approved for World Bank financing, aiming to bring irrigation to the remaining 18,000 hectares and fully realize the project's vision.

“This is not just progress in irrigation and energy,” said Oli. “It is a roadmap for agricultural prosperity, energy independence, and food security in Nepal.”

Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah and other provincial leaders have called for accelerated progress on complementary infrastructure, including the Lamki-Bareilly transmission line, Seti Highway, and the Paschim Seti and Betan Karnali hydropower projects.

Nepal is home to three otter species—the Eurasian otter, the smooth-coated otter, and the Asian small-clawed otter—but these charismatic creatures are facing an uphill battle for survival. Habitat destruction, illegal fishing, pollution, and human encroachment are pushing these species to the brink. However, a new initiative led by WWF Nepal, funded by the UK government’s Darwin Initiative, is working to address these challenges by integrating otter conservation with community empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. While the project has shown promise, it also highlights the complex interplay between conservation efforts and the needs of local communities.

The Eurasian otter, locally known as the black otter, is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and degradation. The smooth-coated otter, listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, is distinguished by its sleek fur and social behavior, while the Asian small-clawed otter, the smallest of the three, lives in large social groups and is particularly vulnerable to human disturbances. All three species depend on healthy freshwater ecosystems—clean, flowing rivers, sandy banks, and dense riparian forests—but these habitats are under severe pressure from illegal fishing, sand mining, deforestation, and pollution.

In response, WWF Nepal launched the Strengthening Communities’ Livelihood and Stewardship to Conserve Otters in Karnali project. The initiative aims to protect otter habitats while supporting the livelihoods of marginalized communities, such as the Sonaha and Tharu, who rely on the Karnali River for their survival. “The idea is to reduce pressure on river resources by providing communities with sustainable alternatives,” explains Aashish Kapali, Freshwater Program Associate at WWF Nepal. “If we can empower these communities to make sustainable decisions, it will benefit both people and wildlife.”

Otters depend on healthy freshwater ecosystems, including deep river channels, clean flowing water, sandy riverbanks, and dense riparian forests. However, these habitats are being degraded by illegal fishing, sand mining, deforestation, and pollution. Interestingly, Kapali, who has been working in the otter area for two years, has not seen a live otter. “It is a shy animal and is not seen frequently, so it faces more indirect threats than direct ones,” he says.

Six key otter habitat hotspots have been identified in Lumbini’s Bardiya (Tikuligadh, Rajipur, Tihuni, and Chhedia) and Sudurpaschim’s Kailali (Phanta and Nuklipur). The project focuses on four key areas: community-based river management, livelihood diversification, strengthening governance and law enforcement, and developing a national otter conservation plan.

Along the Karnali River, 15 Community River Stretch Management Groups (CRSMGs) have been established, comprising 375 members—68 percent of whom are women. These groups monitor river health, promote sustainable fishing practices, and collaborate with government agencies to enforce regulations. However, challenges remain.

Buddhi Singh Tharu, a 59-year-old member of a river monitoring group, points to the dumping site on the banks of the Karnali River in Tikapur Municipality, Kailali, as a major source of pollution. “Garbage leaks into the river, affecting otter habitats,” he says. He also highlights the disturbance caused by motorboats operated by Rajapur Municipality in Bardiya, which are marketed as a tourist attraction but disrupt otters, dolphins, and other wildlife.

Livelihood diversification is a cornerstone of the project. By providing training and resources, the initiative is helping communities transition from river-dependent livelihoods to sustainable enterprises. On-farm initiatives include training in vegetable farming, betel leaf cultivation, pig farming, and fish farming, while off-farm programs offer alternatives such as hospitality training, handicraft production, tailoring courses, and driving instruction.

Sudha Chaudhary, a 45-year-old farmer from Bardiya, is one of the beneficiaries. She now grows tomatoes and chilies on her 500-square-meter farm and has seen a significant improvement in her income. “Last season, I made a profit of around Rs 50,000,” she says. “Farming has become our primary source of income, and we no longer rely on the river.” 

Program Associate Kapali states that the project team assessed the intensity of fishing activities and the dependence of families on the river before selecting beneficiaries.

Photos: WWF Nepal

The project also aims to strengthen governance and law enforcement by enhancing the capacity of government agencies to regulate illegal fishing and the over-extraction of river resources. Additionally, a national otter conservation plan is being developed to ensure long-term protection for otters and other aquatic species. “We’ve drafted a Smooth-Coated Otter Conservation Action Plan based on insights from 158 participants across 13 sites in Nepal,” says Kapali. “The goal is to create a framework that balances conservation with community needs.”

Despite these efforts, the project faces significant challenges. Pollution, illegal fishing, and habitat degradation remain persistent threats, and the success of the initiative depends on the active participation of local communities. To raise awareness, the project introduced Sakhi, an otter mascot whose name means ‘friend’ in the Tharu language, and selected 45 ‘Otter Champions’ to lead conservation campaigns.

Arun Sonaha, a 27-year-old Otter Champion from Rajapur-1, has been actively sharing his knowledge about otter conservation with other young people. “Communities have adapted their livelihoods to support otter conservation,” he says. Saraswati Sonaha, a 21-year-old tailoring trainee, hopes to open her own shop once her training is complete. “My family depended on the river, but I want to start my own business,” she says. “Otters should be protected for future generations.”

Kapali explains that the project has provided sewing machines to all 15 trainees and will offer additional support if they decide to start their own businesses after the training. “However, we don’t provide 100 percent funding. If they invest a share themselves, they will feel a greater sense of ownership,” he says.

The project’s impact extends beyond individual success stories. Three local cooperatives—Deuthan Krishi Cooperative, Sharad Saana Kishan Cooperative, and Shree Bindeshwori Cooperative—have been strengthened, offering loans, training, and support to over 180 community members. Bhagawati Shah, chairperson of the Sharad Saana Kishan Cooperative, explains that the cooperative provides loans of up to Rs 40,000 at a six percent interest rate without collateral to eligible beneficiaries who present a business plan. “Around 100 people qualify for these loans, and so far, 23 individuals have already benefited,” she says. The cooperative also offers training in pig, fish, goat, and vegetable farming, as well as tailoring. “Our goal is to help people transition from river-dependent livelihoods to business ventures,” she adds.

In Tighra, Rajapur-3, Maiti Tharuni, 60, is engaged in handicraft production. She was one of 18 women who participated in a 15-day training program on grass-based handicrafts, which included a buy-back guarantee. She explains that crafting a handicraft item takes anywhere from 30 minutes to four days, depending on its size and design. “There is strong demand, and we frequently export our products to Kathmandu, but we haven’t been able to meet the growing orders,” she says. “We used to make handicrafts before, but with this training, we now work in a more professional, modern, and efficient way, incorporating new and diverse designs,” she adds.

While the project has made strides in empowering communities and protecting otter habitats, its long-term success will depend on sustained efforts and collaboration between stakeholders. The challenges are significant, but the initiative offers a glimpse of what’s possible when conservation and community development go hand in hand. As Kapali puts it, “The goal is to create a future where both people and wildlife can thrive.” For now, the story of Nepal’s otters is one of resilience and hope, a reminder that even in the face of daunting challenges, positive change is possible.

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. 

Tikapur Airport in Kailali, which has been closed for regular operations since Feb 1997, officially resumed flight services on Sunday. The Tara Air flight YT 1701, carrying 16 passengers, landed at Tikapur Airport at 1:44 pm, marking the start of regular flights to the region.

The reopening of the airport has been made possible through the special efforts of Tikapur Municipality, with coordination between Tara Air and Yeti Airlines. Tikapur Airport first began operations on 11 Oct 1984.

According to Ram Lal Dagora Tharu, the Mayor of Tikapur Municipality, Yeti Airlines will operate flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, with connecting flights to Tikapur provided by Tara Air. The initiative also involves active participation from local tourism businesses and other stakeholders.

Regular flights will operate every Sunday and Thursday, following the Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Tikapur and Tikapur-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu routes. The municipality has signed an agreement with Tara Air to ensure a minimum of 15 seats per flight. Test flights have previously been conducted by Nepal Airlines and Tara Air.

The one-way fare for the Kathmandu-Tikapur flight has been set at Rs 9,000. Mayor Dagora Tharu expressed gratitude for the efforts of individuals and organizations, including Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, and Minister of State Arun Kumar Chaudhary, who played key roles in reopening the airport.

Minister Arun Chaudhary reiterated his commitment to further improving Tikapur Airport, with plans to introduce direct flights from Kathmandu to Tikapur shortly. He also thanked all parties involved in the airport’s reopening.

With the resumption of services, residents from nearby areas, including Kailali, Surkhet, and Bardiya, who previously relied on flights from Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj, are expected to benefit from the renewed connectivity. Although the runway is gravel-based, plans are in place to upgrade it once regular flights begin.

Most of the areas in Bhajani Municipality have been inundated.

With their residence submerged after incessant rain, the local people have been adversely affected.

Normal life has been affected in the municipality area after the Kandra, Mohana, Kadha and Patharaya rivers entered the settlements due to incessant rain on Wednesday.

Khem Raj Pandey, a local, informed that those who were completely affected due to inundation have been shifted to safer places.

Ward 8 of the municipality has been most affected. Locals of the ward have been kept at nearby high-rise buildings, schools and postal roads.

Kallu Chaudhary, a local, said it was difficult to save the food grains after the house was flooded. He said that some of the neighbors were trying to save their lives by leaving the crops behind, which has caused a lot of damage.

The flood at Kandra in Bhajani Municipality-5 has also damaged the postal highway.

According to Dipesh Budha, hundreds of families have also been displaced by the flood in Lalbhozhi area of ward 5.

Normal life has also been affected in ward 3 of Joshipur.

Mayor Chaudhary said the municipality has pledged to help the affected people to the best of their resources.

The rainfall that occurred continuously for some days has taken a toll on various settlements in Kailali district.

A total of 313 households from Bhajani Municipality and 174 from Tikapur Municipality have been displaced after the inundation triggered by the incessant rainfall.

The displaced families have been taking shelters at community buildings, schools, in their relatives' homes and even on streets and open places.

Bhajani Municipality is worst hit by the inundation. In addition to the displacement, a total of 4,848 families have been affected with deluge, according to Bishnu Neupane, chief of the disaster management committee.

"It is very difficult to manage such a huge number of displaced people. Municipality has distributed 1,800 bottles of drinking water. The displaced ones are forced to manage food by bringing it from their houses- whatever is left unwashed," he added.

Neupane further informed that most of the roads are damaged here. Similarly, 75 percent of arable land in Bhajani is deluged.

As the rivers and streams are yet to recede, details on loss of property at home is yet to be collected, according to mayor at Bhajani Municipality, Kewal Chaudhari.

"Bhajani is in utter mess. Not only the people are displaced, but the livestock and crops are damaged. Everything in the houses is drenched," he shared the plight.

Mayor Chaudhari wailed that the municipality alone cannot afford to cope with this disaster, so the federal government must extend immediate assistance.

Those displaced from Bhajani are forced to stay in tents on streets facing multiple risks, a local Krishna Dhamala said, adding that it was raining, while mosquito bites are equally menacing.

Similarly, the flooded Mohana river entered the human settlement at Tikapur Municipality-6, thereby displacing a huge number of people.

Chief of the disaster management, Nirmala Chaudhari informed that the households from Bhagwanpur, Preni, Narayanpur, Milanpur, Bhartapur, Sundarpur and Baghmara were displaced by the Mohana River floods.

Ward 6 is hit hard by the deluge. "It is difficult to reach the inundated site, " she added.

Baghmara is inundated for the first time as a narrow channel was constructed for an irrigation project at ward 4, according to ward chair Lal Bir Chaudhari.

Meanwhile, the disaster management committee has decided to take help from the Rani Jamara Irrigation Project to repair the dams built at various places which were at risk of breach, causing further floods.

Normal life has been affected in Kailali due to floods triggered by incessant rainfall.

Some families have been displaced after floods entered the settlement in Bhajani of Kailali on Sunday night. The municipality and the locals have jointly shifted the people of the risky areas to postal roads and high-placed buildings throughout the night.

Krishna Dhamala, a local, said some families in Bhajani have left the settlement overnight and moved to the streets. The people living in the settlement sat on the postal road with children and livestock at night due to the rise in water level in rivers and rivulets.

The floods inundated almost all the wards of Bhajani. All the houses in ward-8 have been inundated. "Hundreds of families have moved to the streets and high-rise houses with their belongings after the settlements were waterlogged following incessant rains", he said. The southern and eastern parts of Kailali have been inundated due to the floods.

The settlements of Tikapur, Bhajani, Janaki and Joshipur of Kailali near the rivers and rivulets have been inundated due to the rise in water level in the River Chure and the Karnali River. Some families have been displaced in Tikapur Municipality.

Disaster Management Section Chief of Tikapur Nirmala Chaudhary said that 65 houses of Parseni, Bhartapur and Bhagwanpur of ward-6 have been inundated due to the flood in Patharaya River.

Ward 2, 5, 7 and 8 of Tikapur are at risk of inundation as the water level in the Karnali River increases. Similarly, Joshipur rural municipality has also been inundated due to incessant rain.

Chief of the disaster management section of Joshipur Rural Municipality, Sita Singh said water from the Kada river has entered Bhittariya and inundated it.

Most of Janaki's wards have been inundated and some families have been displaced.

Disaster management section chief Netra Prasad Jaisi said many settlements in ward 4 and 7 have been inundated. "There are 11 families living in Girdharpur of ward 4. There are 15 families living in Farela of ward 7," Jaisi said.

Dozens of settlements in Janaki are waterlogged. The municipalities in the area have intensified their work such as cleaning drains after the floods ran through the settlements. They have been engaged in the work of opening the jammed drains and draining out water in the submerged areas.

Information Officer at the District Administration Office, Shivaraj Joshi, shared that various places in the district have been inundated due to rain so the teams are being mobilized to minimize the damage.

Two persons died after being struck by lightning in Kailali.

The deceased have been identified as Jayaram Dagaura (31_ of Bhitariya, Joshipur Rural Municipality and Salim Chaudhary (27) of F Gaun, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-18, the District Police Office said.

DSP Kabindra Singh Bohara said that Dagaura, who was injured in a lightning strike while working in his field, died while under treatment at the local Mahaparbati Clinic. Similarly, Chaudhary, who was also injured after being struck by lightning, died at the Seti Provincial Hospital, Dhangadhi.

Six people have been injured due to the lightning, police said.

The injured have been identified as Rita Kathariya  (29) and Sushma Dagaura (23) of Belpur, Janaki Rural Municipality-4,  Ram Bahadur Chaudhary (55) of Bhajani Municipality-6 and Saraswati Bhul (9), Paru Kathayat (7) and Khima Kathayat (10) of Budeni, Ghodaghodi Municipality-9 of Kailali district.

One hundred and thirty-seven cottage and small industries have closed down in Kailali district due to the shortage of raw materials. Several of these industries have shut as they could not manage the operation cost while some because their productions could not compete with the market prices.

According to the Cottage and Small Industries Office, several of the industries closed after their proprietors left the country for foreign employment.

However, the registration of women-owned enterprises has notably increased in the district in recent years. This is due to the provision of concessions on the registration fees for women-owned industries.

So far 15,434 industries have been registered in Kailali and the registration of 137 of them has been annulled. Among the registered industries, 3,194 are production-based, 6488 agriculture-based, two construction, 65 tourism-related, 12 information technology related and 5,673 service-oriented industries.

These industries have an investment of Rs 25 billion, it is stated. The Sudurpaschim provincial government has allocated Rs 15 million for implementing the 'One Electoral Constituency, One Industry' programme in the current fiscal year.

The Office stated that 9,120 women and 69,611 men are employed in the registered industries. The Office collected revenues Rs 5 million 216 thousand in last fiscal year 2022/23 and Rs 10 million 500 thousand as of March 13, in the eight months of the current fiscal year 2023/24.