Monkey menace pushing farmers out of Nepal’s hill villages
By Binod Ghimire, Madhav Aryal, Biplov Maharjan & Prakash Baral From Tehrathum to Salyan, farmers say relentless crop destruction by monkeys and other wild animals is forcing families to abandon farming, guard fields day and night, and leave villages in search of safer livelihoods.
Nisdi Rural Municipality reports zero home births
By Madhav Aryal Officials say incentives and a well-organised safe motherhood and newborn programme have led to the improvements.
Vermicompost gains ground as farmers seek alternative to chemical fertilisers
By Madhav Aryal Farmers in Palpa say worm-based manure has improved crop yields and reduced plant diseases, while local producers are expanding output to meet rising demand.
Eviction drive exposes decades of settlement expansion on public land
By Kamal Panthi, Madhav Aryal, Pratap Bista & Ghana Shyam Gautam From highway towns to market centres, settlements built on public and forest land across Nepal face growing uncertainty as authorities intensify anti-encroachment campaigns.
Scientist vacancies hamper agriculture research in Nepal
By Binod Ghimire, Ramesh Kumar Paudel, Biplab Maharjan & Madhav Aryal Absence of scientists and technicians cripples research, weakens services and deepens the crisis for farmers across Nepal.
Tightened Bhairahawa customs checks empty Sunauli market
By Madhav Aryal Crackdown on informal cross-border trade reduces Nepali shoppers in Sunauli, while officials claim revenue gains and traders warn of shifting patterns.
Lack of budget stalls over 350 drinking water projects in Lumbini
By Madhav Aryal Projects across 12 districts require around Rs 10.92 billion, but no funds have been allocated in the current fiscal year, authorities say.
Costly fuel adds to farmers’ woes
By Shiva Puri, Ram Prasad Chauhan & Madhav Aryal Sky-high diesel prices amid global supply constraints raise farming costs, giving rise to worries over food prices and rural livelihoods.
Woman dies during abortion in Butwal; family alleges negligence
By Madhav Aryal & Ghana Shyam Gautam Police detain three clinic operators as investigation begins.
Children in Palpa walk hours daily to reach school, parents fear for safety
By Madhav Aryal In remote settlements, access to basic education remains out of reach despite policy promises.
Two Indian tourists missing after drowning in Tinau river
By Madhav Aryal The identities of the missing individuals have yet to be disclosed.
Four dead in Palpa tipper crash
By Madhav Aryal Three killed on the spot, one succumbs during treatment in Rupandehi.
Palpa exports white beans to Europe
By Madhav Aryal Organic produce from Nisdi fetches higher returns as farmers tap international markets.
Bengal tigers move to mid-hills. Sighted in Palpa, Arghakhanchi
By Madhav Aryal & Manoj Paudel Camera traps confirm three Bengal tigers in the two hilly districts, beyond their usual range in the Tarai.
Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate leads in Palpa-1
By Madhav Aryal Early counting shows RSP’s Bimal Panta ahead, with rivals trailing in initial results.