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Man
killed by tigress
Kathmandu, March 29:
A man herding his buffalos in the protected forest of Royal Chitwan
National Park was killed by a tigress Saturday. Neighbours, who launched a
search after Ram Prasad Dahal, 51, did not return home Saturday night
found his badly mauled body near the tigress and her cub the next day. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Bodies of two missing Australians found
Kathmandu, March 28: The Himalayan Rescue Association announced that the dead bodies of 32-year-old flight sergeant
Michelle Hackket, and her eight-year-old daughter Kathleen Hackket, two of the three Australians
and one Israeli trekker, missing after an avalanche hit them along the trail to Annapurna Base Camp
last Sunday were found Wednesday. The search for Australian Army squadron leader Peter
Szypula and the Israeli national Noam Hevlin is still on.Nepalnews.com/yl/at
Supreme Court reinstates Rawal as Rastra Bank Governor
Kathmandu, March 28: The Supreme Court of Nepal reinstated Dr Tilak Rawal as Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank,
Wednesday. The bench presided by justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi and Top Bahadur Singh issued
an order to the government to reinstate Dr Rawal in his earlier position saying that the decision to
remove him from the post of governor was illegitimate. The Court ruled that as Dr Rawal had been
appointed for a period of five years but was removed before the completion of his fixed tenure, the
decision was made without completing necessary procedures. Speaking to
Nepalnews Dr Rawal said, “I am very happy with the decision. I will be going to court
tomorrow to get the letter so that I can assume office as soon as possible because it normally
takes quite a few days for the Courts decision to be implemented.”
Rawal was appointed governor for a period of five years when senior leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai
was the head of the Nepali Congress government. However, when Girija Prasad Koirala replaced
Bhattarai as prime minister, Dr Rawal was dismissed and retired bureaucrat Dipendra Purush
Dhakal appointed as the governor of the central bank of Nepal on 28 August 2000. Dr Rawal then
filed a writ petition against the decision of the government.
Nepalnews.com/yl/at
Indian envoy flags off motorcycle rally
Kathmandu, 28 March: Indian ambassador to Nepal Deb Mukharji flagged off a motorcycle rally aiming to promote world
peace and international brotherhood, two days after the rally arrived in the capital. The
motorcyclists from the Youth Hostels Association of India will visit Pokhara and Birgunj before
returning home. 21 motorcycles and a mini truck with a display tableau with a message of world
peace are in the rally.
The participants started their journey at Rourkela, India on 11 March 2001. After visiting various
places in India, they travelled to Bangladesh and reached Kathmandu Monday.
The rally aims to spread the message of universal peace and brotherhood as well as focusing on
the heritage of the Nepal, India and Bangladesh. The rally is expected to finish on 2 April 2001, after
covering 5300 km. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Bhutanese refugees call for speedier verification
Kathmandu, 28 March: An exiled Bhutanese refugee group in Nepal said the first verification of 100,000 refugees living in
seven camps in Nepal that began Monday was slow and called for speedier identification. "We
express serious concerns at the dismal progress of the exercise and urge the Joint Verification
Team (JVT) to strategise mechanisms that would facilitate verification of maximum number of
families such that the exercise would be completed at the earliest," the Association of Human
Rights Activists Bhutan (AHRAB) said in a statement Wednesday. The AHRAB called for
verification of 50 families in the beginning and increase the coverage but welcomed the beginning of
the verification process. The organization said it was happy at the commencement of the much
awaited verification exercise.
Bhutanese and Nepali officials identified the status of only nine families Monday and Tuesday on
the basis of land deeds and other documents to establish their Bhutanese citizenship, press
reports from UNHCR administered camps in east Nepal said.
Altogether ten Nepali and Bhutanese officials are conducting the painstaking exercise.
Some analysts said that at the present pace of the verification it will take years to complete the
entire process. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Japanese
aid to increase agro-production
Kathmandu, March 28:
Nepal and Japan signed an agreement concerning a grant assistance of
over Rs 512 million (approximately US$ 7 million) to raise Nepal's
agricultural production, Wednesday. Finance secretary Dr Bimal
Prasad Koirala and Japanese ambassador to Nepal Mitsuaki Kojima signed and
exchanged the agreement at the Finance Ministry. A major part of the
grant will be utilised to purchase chemical fertilisers while the rest is
to be used to raise the social and economic status of farmers. His
Majesty's Government has expressed its sincere appreciation to Japan, the
largest donor to Nepal, for its continued support in the country's
development efforts.
Nepalnews.com/yl/at
Himalayan
Expo-2001 from 20 April
Kathmandu, March 28: The
11th Himalayan Expo-2001 trade fair will start at the Bhrikuti Mandap in
the capital from 20 April. According to the House of Rajkarnikar, the main
organisers, nearly 200 companies from Nepal, USA, UK, Germany, Israel,
China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and
Thailand will participate in the exhibition. A British film festival will
be a major attraction at the fair, which is expected to attract 80,000
visitors. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Government
bank's management transfer confirmed
Kathmandu, March 28: Despite
protests from the main opposition in Parliament, the management of the
Nepal Bank Ltd and the Rastriya Banijya Bank will be given to two separate
foreign teams within four months. The re-confirmation came in a notice of
the central bank despite protests from the Nepal Communist Party (Unified
Marxist-Leninist), the Board of the Nepal Bank Ltd. and other bankers.
The new management team will consist of eight people including three
Nepalis. "As the two banks under government authority were not
functioning as expected, they are being given out on contract to a new
management in order to make them efficient and restore their image,"
the statement said.
A $25 million World Bank and UNDP project is working to improve the
management of Nepal's two oldest and biggest banks, which studies
indicated were reaching insolvency. "His Majesty's Government reached
the conclusion in order to protect ordinary depositors. Continuing the
bank service with the present management would only benefit those with
outstanding loans," Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dipendra Purush Dhakal
said adding that the banks were not being privatised but only being given
to a new management. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Maoists
abduct policeman
Kathmandu, March 28: Maoists
abducted a policeman from Holri in Rolpa district and took him to an
unknown destination Tuesday. A group of armed rebels stopped a bus that
the police Inspector Madav Khatri was travelling in and took him away
along with four other policemen who were later released. Police said
Khatri was travelling to Nawalparasi to take up a new assignment. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Rhinos
darted for translocation
Kathmandu, March 28: Two
more one-horned rhinos were darted and captured in the Royal Chitwan
National Park Tuesday to translocate them to Royal Bardia National Park in
far west Nepal, an official announcement said. Three more rhinos will be
captured for release in Babai valley in Bardia. The rhinos captured
Tuesday were an adult male and female. The Department of National Parks
and Wildlife Conservation, King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation and
World Wildlife Fund are managing and funding the translocation project.
The step was taken to re-introduce the endangered species only found in
Nepal and in the Indian state of Assam, to Bardia as well as to reduce
pressure on the tropical forest of Chitwan. The rhino population in
Chitwan has crossed the 600 mark due to a successful conservation drive.
The one-horned rhinoceros are only found in the Indian state of Assam and
Nepal. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Search for missing
trekkers continues
Kathmandu, 27 March: The search
for the three missing Australians and one Israeli buried under 40 metres
of snow continued for the third day Tuesday at the foot of the 8091 metre
high Mt Annapurna, an official of the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA)
said. "Our current mission is to search and bring back the bodies if
we can find them," the official said. The HRA search party of 10
reached the accident site located at 3500 m at Deurali Monday. An
avalanche buried the trekkers Saturday. Members of an Australian Army
Expedition to Mt Everest are also conducting their own search.
The trekkers were
returning to the resort town of Pokhara from Annapurna Base Camp when the
avalanche struck them. The missing Israeli was identified as 22 year old
Helvin Noam. The Australians were identified as air force officer Peter
Szypula, his partner Michelle Hackett, and Kathleen Hackett. They were
accompanying the Everest expedition attempting to climb the peak from the
north in Tibet. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Nepal`s environment
deteriorating
Kathmandu, 27 March: The State of the Environment, Nepal 2001
report released Monday says the kingdom`s "Environment conditions are
deteriorating despite several policy measures undertaken by the government
of Nepal. The rapid and uncontrolled growth of population and poor
management and use of the available resources are the major reasons for
the deterioration". Due to deteriorating air quality over large urban
areas respiratory diseases increased from 10.9 percent of the total
outdoor patient visits in 1996 from 5167378 to 7115981 in 1998, the report
said. In 1994, Nepal`s total industries numbered 4487 of which 78 percent
were resulting in direct air pollution--33 percent of these industries
were located in Kathmandu.
"Rivers, ponds, and lakes, particularly in the major urban areas,
have been greatly affected by dumping and discharging of household waste
and sewers and industrial affluent into them" the report added.
"Patient visits to hospitals because of diarrhoeal problems have
increased tremendously and a report obtained from a local hospital in
Kathmandu showed that 16.5 percent of all deaths were due to water-borne
diseases."
The report says an increasing amount of garbage is seen littering
city streets or in dumps along riverbanks. The disposal of solid waste is
one of the main problems faced by urban areas. The rapid growth of human
and livestock population is having a severe impact on Nepal`s natural
resources, especially soil, the study said. Forest cover is depleting and
shrub area is increasing. The government in cooperation with four foreign
organisations prepared the report. Nepalnews.com/br/at
All-party meet ends
without agreement
Kathmandu, 27 March: An all-party meeting called in the residence
of senior Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Tuesday to seek
a solution to the present political crisis in the country ended without
any resolutions. The meeting was called after the dinner meeting called by
speaker of the Lower House Taranath Ranabhat was cancelled Sunday
following the refusal of opposition leader to attend the event. Prime
Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, NC leaders including Bhattarai, and
leaders of opposition parties including main opposition leader Madhav
Nepal attended today`s meeting. According to a member who attended the
meeting, leaders of opposition parties stuck to their earlier stance and
said that they would continue their protest in parliament until Koirala
stepped down from the post as prime minister.
Opposition leaders
repeatedly said the only way to give an outlet to the present crisis was
the resignation of the premier. Koirala however refused to step down under
pressure. Chakra Prasad Bastola, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that
the meeting ended without any concrete agreement as opposition remained
adamant to their demand unacceptable to the Nepali Congress. Sources said
both ruling and opposition leaders agreed to end the present 19th session
of Parliament instead of baking out from their stance. Nepalnews.com/yl/at
Scholarships cut after 17
students disappear
Kathmandu, 27 March: The
Finance Ministry has said that the disappearance of 17 students who had
finished their studies in Japan has caused the Japanese government to
curtail scholarships for Nepali students. The students had received
scholarships from the Japanese government and disappeared after they
completed their studies. A Japanese task force that visited Nepal recently
conveyed concerns to Nepali officials about the incident. The Nepal
government meanwhile held a meeting recently and decided to "send
mature and older persons" for studies in Japan besides recommending
departmental action against non-returnees. Defaulters will be forced to
repay the costs of education.
Nepalnews.com/br/at
Fires destroy property worth
millions
Kathmandu, 27 March: Fires
around different places in the kingdom have been causing havoc destroying
property worth millions. The Chirag Foam Industries at the Balaju
Industrial Estate in Kathmandu had to face losses worth Rs 7 million after
a fire caused by a short circuit destroyed goods and property Sunday,
proprietor Jibanlal Piya said. A fire at Kawaseti village in Nawalparasi
district destroyed property worth Rs 1 million Sunday. The National News
Agency has reported that a forest fire between Shyama and Mali villages in
Dolakha district that started Friday has been causing havoc for three
days. Yak shelters have had to be moved while people fought the fire to
save the Gaurishanker cheese factory there. Nepalnews.com/br/at
Proceedings in both Houses adjourned
until 30 March
Kathmandu, 26 March:
Meetings of both the Houses of Parliament have been adjourned until 30
March after the walk out by all opposition parties Monday. As soon as
the meeting of House of Representatives began, leader of Nepal
Sadbhavana Party Badri Mandal announced his partys decision to walk
out. Other parties followed suit. Speaker Taranath Ranabhat then
adjourned the House until 30 March, as the treasury bench was empty.
Similarly Chairman of National Assembly Dr Mohammad
Mohasin also adjourned the meeting of the Upper House until 30 March
after members of the NSP walked out protesting against the ordinances
concerning the formation of the Armed Police Force and creation of
regional administrators. Other opposition parties boycotted the
proceedings demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad
Koirala. This is the 47th continuous day that opposition
parties have disrupted the proceedings of the Parliament. Nepalnews.com/yl/at
Five left parties
stage rally
Kathmandu, 26 March: Five left parties including main opposition
CPN-UML organised a rally in Kathmandu Monday against Prime Minister
Girija Prasad Koirala and the Nepali Congress government. The rally
started from Ratna Park and ended in Bhadarakali where leftist leaders
slammed the government for failing to maintain law and order, control
corruption and administer good governance. They vowed to continue their
movement until Koirala steps down. The left parties are soon to announce
more protest programmes against the government. Nepalnews.com/yl/at
UNEP to establish
technical office in Nepal
Kathmandu, 26 March: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
will study the Asian brown cloud phenomenon after establishing a
"technical office" in Nepal later this year. Visiting
Executive Director of UNEP Klaus Toepfer made the announcement
Monday at a news conference. Asain brown clouds cause
respiratory and skin diseases, drought and floods. The study will help
find out causes for the phenomenon of which very little is known.
Five scientists will initially man the office, which will later be later
expanded. Nepal had been lobbying for the establishment of the office in
Kathmandu.
Toepfer earlier released the Nepal State of the Environment Report. The
report identifies forest depletion, soil degradation, solid waste
management, and water quality and air pollution as the five key
environmental issues facing Nepal. "Air pollution level in
Kathmandu is triple the WHO standard," Toepfer said. "Clearly
Nepal can benefit and it should take the lead in celebrating 2002 as the
Year of the Mountain," he said. The senior UN official discussed
the issue with the Prime Minister and other Nepali officials.
Nepalnews.com/br/at
Identification of
Bhutanese refugees begins
Kathmandu, 26 March: Nepali and Bhutanese officials began
identifying the status of Bhutanese refugees of Nepali ethnicity
living in UNHCR administered camps in east Nepal for eventual
repatriation Monday. 52 people from 10 families were brought to Damak
from one of the six camps in Jhapa, for identification. Refugees
presented land deeds and other documents Monday to prove their Bhutanese
citizenship. Nepalnews.com/br/at
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