Kathmandu faces severe air pollution, exacerbated by vehicle emissions, factory pollution, construction dust, and its valley location. Climatologist Sudeep Thakuri warns that climate change may worsen the situation by affecting rainfall patterns, which cleanse the air. The city's air quality is already a major health concern, with around 5,000 deaths annually. Wildfires, influenced by climate change, contribute to the pollution. Air quality specialist Bhupendra Das and conservationist Rajendra Narayan Suwal emphasize the need for regional cooperation and forest management to address the issue. The article suggests that tackling air pollution can also have positive impacts on emissions reduction.

A study published in the journal Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research found that tough microbes can survive extreme conditions on Mount Everest for decades. Despite strong winds at the South Col, microbes such as bacteria, protists, and fungi, including some found only at high altitudes, were detected in soil samples. The study, which involved researchers setting up the world's highest weather station, suggests that these microbes are surviving but not necessarily living, as they can remain dormant when frozen. The findings have implications for understanding microbial survival in harsh climates and potentially on other planets.

A study focusing on the impact of road traffic on tiger movements in Nepal's Bardiya National Park and Parsa National Park has revealed that roads significantly impede tiger movements within their habitats. Researchers observed a female tiger in Bardiya and a male tiger in Parsa, both fitted with GPS collars, and found that traffic volume affects their movements, space use, and habitat selection. The study, important in light of plans to expand the East-West Highway, showed that tigers adapted quickly to reduced traffic during COVID-19 lockdowns, suggesting potential mitigation measures. The study's findings are crucial for tiger conservation, as roads can alter hunting and mating behaviors, impacting survival and fitness at the population level. The government of Nepal has introduced guidelines for wildlife-friendly infrastructure but has seen little implementation. The study calls for more research and the use of mitigation measures to conserve tiger populations.

Nepal's push for hydropower and road infrastructure to improve living standards is challenging bird conservation efforts. Ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral highlighted the threats to avian diversity, with Mongabay reporting on issues such as the stable numbers of endangered white-rumped vultures despite threats like poisoning, the impact of power lines from hydropower projects on birds, the conservation of sarus cranes in the Buddha's birthplace, hunting threats to cheer pheasants during mating season, and the mysterious gathering of a super flock of pigeons. The government's Vulture Conservation Action Plan aims to address some of these threats.

Abhaya Raj Joshi has written a series of articles focusing on various environmental and wildlife conservation issues in Nepal. Topics range from the lack of biodiversity research in Madhesh province, the threats faced by wild canines during the festival of Diwali, to the potential benefits of 'predator-proof' husbandry in reducing human-leopard conflicts. Joshi also covers technological advancements in tiger conservation, legal challenges to 'triple taxation' on community forests, and the underpowered but determined wildlife crime fighters in Nepal. The articles discuss the controversy over hydropower development in protected areas, the implications of gifting rhinos to China, the return of wolves to the Himalayas, and the first otter sighting in Chitwan National Park in two decades. Additionally, Joshi reports on a super flock of pigeons, snow leopard sightings, vulture colony threats, the cultural reverence for sarus cranes linked to the Buddha, the management of human-friendly rhinos, the threat to an endemic lizard by a highway, and revisions to Nepal's wildlife compensation program.

During Nepal's Tihar festival, dogs are celebrated, but the Asiatic wild dog, or dhole, faces threats such as human persecution, disease, wildfires, and competition with other predators. With a declining global population, conservationists emphasize the need for research and conservation plans, similar to those for other species in Nepal. The IUCN Dhole Working Group has discussed the impact of increasing tiger numbers on dholes, and the potential competition with recolonizing Himalayan wolves. Measures such as addressing human-dhole conflict and transboundary efforts are suggested for the dhole's long-term conservation.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in eastern Nepal is preparing to receive two greater one-horned rhinos, Pushpa and Anjali, from Chitwan National Park on World Tourism Day. The translocation aims to boost tourism and biodiversity in the eastern Terai Arc region. The rhinos, rescued as calves and habituated to humans, were previously released into the wild in Chitwan but are now being relocated for their safety and to reduce human conflict. Nepal has been successful in rhino conservation, with zero poaching and a growing population. The translocation is part of a long-term plan to create multiple viable rhino populations in Nepal.

A male gharial, critically endangered and crucial for species survival due to its role in mating with multiple females, was found dead in Nepal's Chitwan National Park, entangled in a fishing net. With only a few hundred gharials left in the wild, the death of a male, particularly in a population with a skewed sex ratio favoring females, poses a significant threat to conservation efforts. Park officials have been incubating eggs at specific temperatures to increase male hatchlings, but the effectiveness and sustainability of this method are debated. The article also discusses the impact of temperature-dependent sex determination and the challenges in identifying gharial sex before adulthood. Fishing has been banned in Chitwan during the monsoon, but illegal fishing still occurs, often harming the gharials.

A study analyzing 258 dung samples from Nepal's Chitwan National Park found that 10.1% contained visible plastic, posing a threat to the health and survival of the one-horned rhinoceros. Plastic waste, including bottle caps and sachets, is prevalent in the park, especially after monsoon floods. The study, led by Balram Awasthi of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, did not examine long-term effects but suggests potential digestive, metabolic, and reproductive issues for the rhinos. Veterinarian Amir Sadaula emphasized the need for further research to assess the impact of plastic on the animals. The government and conservation partners are urged to conduct cleanup programs and adopt sustainable waste management to prevent pollution.

A critically endangered male gharial was found dead in Nepal's Chitwan National Park, entangled in a fishing net, highlighting the species' conservation crisis. With only a few hundred left in the wild, the death of a male, vital for breeding, poses a severe threat to the population. Conservation efforts include controlled incubation to increase male hatchlings, but the effectiveness and sustainability of such programs are debated. The gharial's survival is further threatened by fishing, habitat changes, and poaching, while climate change may skew sex ratios even more towards females.

In early February 2022, researchers in Nepal analyzing camera trap images for a tiger census in the Chitwan-Parsa Complex discovered a photo of a small cat resembling the Asiatic wildcat, a species whose presence in Nepal has been long debated. The country is known for its feline diversity, with 12 wildcat species identified. The Asiatic wildcat, a subspecies of the African wildcat, is common across Asia and Africa but faces threats such as habitat destruction and hybridization with domestic cats. Wildlife ecologist Yadav Ghimirey and his team have documented suspected Asiatic wildcats in Nepal, but DNA evidence is needed to confirm their presence. The IUCN lists the species as of least concern but calls for more studies. Funding challenges make it difficult to study the animal extensively.

Adarsh Man Sherchan, a conservation geneticist in Nepal, discusses the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for aquatic biodiversity assessments in the country's rivers, particularly in the context of hydropower plant development. Sherchan, who graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and worked with the Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, highlights the challenges of collecting eDNA samples from unpredictable Himalayan rivers and the importance of safety during fieldwork. The interview also touches on the process of eDNA extraction and the role of taxonomists in filtering data noise during sequencing.

In Nepal, power lines from hydropower projects are causing a significant number of bird deaths, including critically endangered species like the white-rumped vulture. Despite the country's heavy investment in hydropower to address power shortages, the environmental impact on birds has been largely overlooked. Studies have shown a rise in bird electrocutions and collisions with power lines, with flawed environmental impact assessments and lack of implementation of recommendations. Conservationists advocate for bird abundance studies, wildlife-friendly infrastructure design, and retrofitting existing power lines with simple measures to reduce fatalities. The Nepal Electricity Authority acknowledges a drastic increase in high-voltage transmission lines, while the Electricity Regulatory Commission defers the issue to the Ministry of Environment.

Nepal's startup industry, particularly the electric vehicle sector, is being hindered by bureaucratic red tape. A notable example is Yatri Motorcycles, which faced challenges with the registration of their locally made EV bike, the P1. Despite initial interim certificates allowing operation, the lack of a directive for local vehicle registration led to impounding of the bikes. The issue was eventually resolved after intervention from the Prime Minister. However, the broader problem persists, with innovators and entrepreneurs facing significant barriers due to outdated policies and bureaucratic inertia. The Global Innovation Index ranks Nepal low in innovation capabilities and government support. The World Bank's Doing Business project indicates a longer-than-average time to start a business in Nepal. Critics argue that political connections may influence the resolution of such issues, while others fear for the future of their businesses without clear policies. The government is working on an ICT bill to address legal gray areas for tech-enabled businesses, but industry insiders believe that without a change in bureaucratic attitude, legislation alone will not suffice.

In central Nepal, the Chepang tribe is working to revive the chiuri tree, a species integral to their culture and livelihood. With the help of various agencies, young, educated Chepangs are regenerating chiuri forests to establish a sustainable source of income through the sale of chiuri fruits, butter, and honey. The Forest and Farm Facility project, now concluded, and the ongoing efforts of the Mount Everest Forest Botanicals Alliance, aim to connect the community with national industries and international markets. Despite challenges such as militarized conservation efforts and modern lifestyle changes, the Chepang are optimistic about the potential of chiuri trees to prevent soil erosion, uplift their community out of poverty, and preserve their cultural heritage.

Nepal has been without an environment minister since October 2022, which has led to concerns about the handling of environmental issues and forest management. The former minister, Pradeep Yadav, was dismissed by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the current Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has yet to appoint a successor. This has affected the ability of organizations like the Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal to advocate for changes in forest laws. The absence of a minister is also problematic as Nepal faces forest fires and air pollution, and it sends a negative message internationally as Nepal seeks climate adaptation finance. Despite the challenges, some see the delay in appointment as indicative of the position's importance. The new minister will need to address environmental and political issues, including controversial construction and wildlife farming legislation.

Kanchhi Maiya Bhandari and her son Prakash run a YouTube channel called KanchhiKitchen, where they share videos of Kanchhi Maiya cooking traditional Nepali dishes in a village setting. The channel, which started during the Covid-19 pandemic, has gained popularity for its ASMR quality and the nostalgia it evokes among Nepalis worldwide. They plan to introduce new content, including a homestay experience, while maintaining their commitment to organic, green, and sustainable cooking. Despite some negative comments, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with viewers expressing a deep connection to their cultural roots.

In Nepal, controlled grassland burning practices aimed at tiger habitat management are posing a threat to the endangered hispid hare, particularly during its breeding season. Researchers suggest that the timing and method of burning should be adjusted to protect the species. The hispid hare, which was once thought to be extinct, is now found in fragmented habitats across Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of India. Conservationists recommend selective grassland burning and scientific management strategies to prevent grassland succession into woodlands and to protect the hispid hare's habitat.

The elusive manul, also known as Pallas's cat, has been found in the region around Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) through a study that analyzed scat samples. This discovery by Tracie Seimon's team, part of the 2019 National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition, marks the first confirmation of the species in Nepal's eastern Himalayas. Despite the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifying the manul as a species of least concern, conservationists emphasize the need for a conservation action plan, particularly due to threats like poisoning of the cat's prey, the pika, and overgrazing of grasslands.