Author: space4knews

March 23, Kathmandu – Throughout the month of Chaitra, bird flu has been detected in 23 different locations. According to Dr. Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, there were no confirmed cases of bird flu prior to Chaitra this year, but the disease was identified in 23 places during this month alone. The first cases of the year were reported simultaneously on March 19 (Chaitra 6) in two locations within Morang District—Sundarharaicha and Urlabari municipalities.

Dr. Dahal further informed that there have been 12 confirmed cases in Sunsari, 7 in Morang, 2 in Jhapa, 1 in Chitwan, and 1 in Kathmandu. He stated that efforts to control each affected area have successfully prevented further spread of the disease. According to him, a total of 104,000 poultry birds, including chickens and ducks, have been culled in the affected regions.

Bird flu was also confirmed among crows within the premises of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. Following the outbreak and spread of infections in Sunsari, Jhapa, and Morang districts, restrictions have been imposed on the transport of livestock and poultry in these areas. “We have officially declared the affected zones and our rapid response teams are carrying out the destruction of infected animals,” Dr. Dahal explained. “These measures have prevented further transmission of bird flu within these districts.”

The government has established a protocol to cull affected birds and provide compensation up to 75% of the loss to farmers impacted by bird flu outbreaks.

In the Gausala-Pingalashthan area of Kathmandu, the Narcotics Control Bureau opened fire to apprehend two Indian nationals. The detainees are suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. The vehicle they were traveling in has also been seized. The incident occurred on 24 Chaitra in Kathmandu.

On suspicion of drug trafficking in the Gausala-Pingalashthan vicinity, two Indian nationals were arrested. The Narcotics Control Bureau team fired shots at midnight to detain the individuals. Authorities believe the arrested persons are engaged in drug-related activities. Their vehicle has been taken into custody as well. Further details about the case are yet to be disclosed.

The Ministry of Forests and Environment has decided to relocate 18 blackbucks from Kanchanpur and Bardiya to the Tikouli area of Chitwan. The blackbuck is listed as an endangered species, and the ministry has informed that Nepal’s population exceeds 500. A secure environment will be created by erecting an enclosure and constructing infrastructure within an area of 20 hectares for the relocation.

The blackbucks will be moved from Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur and the Blackbuck Conservation Area in Bardiya to the Tikouli area in Chitwan. According to the ministry, six males and twelve females will be relocated. In 1976 (Bikram Sambat 2033), the blackbuck population in Khairapur, Bardiya was limited to just nine. The ministry noted that effective conservation measures have led to a significant increase in their numbers since then.

Over the past decade, a total of 42 blackbucks have been relocated from Sadar Zoo and Khairapur to the Hirapur Range of Shuklaphanta National Park to increase their population in Nepal. The ministry explained that limiting wildlife to specific areas poses risks of sudden extinction due to genetic, environmental, and unforeseen factors.

In line with this practice and necessity, a task force formed by the ministry prepared a feasibility and field study report, recommending relocation based on prior theoretical decisions and approved action plans. Accordingly, an enclosure and minimal infrastructure will be established on approximately 20 hectares to facilitate the blackbucks’ relocation.

The Central Executive Committee of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has approved the annual program and budget for 2026. CAN has also decided to hold its annual general meeting on Baisakh 27 and 28, 2083 BS, in Biratnagar. The second edition of the Nepal Premier League has generated an income of NPR 473.6 million.

Kathmandu, Chaitra 23 – The Central Executive Committee of CAN approved the annual program and budget for 2026 during its recent meeting. The committee also decided to extend the contract period for the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur and to request the Nepal Government to transfer ownership of the Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground, which is currently managed under the National Sports Council, to CAN.

According to a CAN press release, “As the contract period with Tribhuvan University for the cricket ground is nearing its end, the government has given high priority to completing the first phase of the international-standard cricket stadium, including the installation of floodlights. This ground is essential for the development of Nepali cricket, and hence the committee resolved to request an extension of the contract agreement for the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.”

Furthermore, the tenure of the executive committees of 20 districts, whose four-year terms have ended, has been extended until the end of Jestha. The committee also directed that mandatory elections be held immediately following the annual general meeting. The income and expenditure report of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) was approved, showing total revenue exceeding NPR 473.6 million and expenses amounting to approximately NPR 219.6 million. After deducting expenses, approximately NPR 253.9 million remains. Fifty percent of this amount has been distributed among the eight franchise teams, while CAN will receive about NPR 92.1 million. Additionally, following ICC guidelines, CAN has decided to annually invest USD 50,000 towards the development of women’s cricket.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a money laundering case against five individuals, including Jhalak Sharma Paudel, Accounts Officer at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development of Gandaki Province. Paudel is alleged to have concealed and laundered illegal assets amounting to Rs 25,867,324.53.

The commission has found evidence of complex financial transactions through banks and financial institutions and has requested the court for imprisonment, fines, and seizure of Rs 170,130,577. This case was registered on 23rd Chaitra in Kathmandu, citing the involvement of Paudel and his family in illegally acquiring wealth and hiding its sources.

The investigation confirmed Paudel’s engagement in concealing, defrauding, and transferring ownership of illegally obtained assets. Previously, Paudel has been under scrutiny in a pending case involving illegal acquisition of assets exceeding Rs 62.6 million.

In the Himalayan Java National Basketball League 2026, Army Club and GoldenGate Club secured victories in the final league stage matches. Army topped the standings with 27 points, winning 13 of 14 matches, while GoldenGate secured second place with 12 wins and 26 points. The first qualifier match will be held on Tuesday between Army and GoldenGate, while Times and Hounds will face off in the eliminator. Kathmandu, 23 Chaitra.

On Monday, in the league’s final two games, Tribhuvan Army Club and GoldenGate Basketball Club emerged victorious. At the Dashrath Rangasala in Tripureshwor, Army defeated KVC Hounds, and GoldenGate overcame Times Basketball Club. These wins guaranteed both Army and GoldenGate places in the first qualifier. Army dominated the league phase by winning 13 out of 14 games, accumulating 27 points.

Following the double round-robin format, Army’s only loss in the first phase was against Times. GoldenGate finished second with 12 wins out of 14 games, earning 26 points. Times, who lost the final match, ended third with 10 wins and 4 losses, totaling 24 points, while Hounds secured fourth place with 9 wins and 5 losses, collecting 23 points. The first qualifier match is scheduled for Tuesday between Army and GoldenGate; the winner will advance directly to the final, while the losing team will have another chance.

Both matches on Monday were highly competitive and thrilling. Army defeated KVC Hounds 103-99. Both teams evenly split the first four quarters with two wins each, but in the decisive fourth quarter, Army edged ahead 31-27 to clinch the exciting victory. Nischal Maharjan of Army contributed a game-high 22 points and was named Man of the Match. In the second game, GoldenGate narrowly defeated Times 97-95, securing victory in overtime.

The playoff matches of the HJNBL, organized by the Nepal Basketball Association (NEBA), will commence on Tuesday. Tuesday will feature the first qualifier and the eliminator games. The tournament winner will receive a cash prize of NPR 400,000, the runner-up will earn NPR 200,000, and the third-placed team will be awarded NPR 100,000.

March 23, Dhangadhi – Shivraj Bhatt from the Nepali Congress has been appointed as the Minister of Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment for Sudurpashchim Province. On Monday, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah appointed Bhatt to the position of Forest Minister. Bhatt, who previously served as Minister of Internal Affairs, is scheduled to take the oath of office and secrecy later today. The swearing-in ceremony is set for 5 PM this evening. Since last Ashad, the ministry had remained vacant, with Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah personally managing its affairs. The former Forest Minister, Rameshwar Chaudhary from Naupaka, was dismissed by Chief Minister Shah amid financial controversies.

The 14th edition of the Kantipur Half Marathon will take place on Vaisakh 5 in Kathmandu, featuring four different race categories. Winners of the main 21.1-kilometer race for both men and women will each receive a prize of NPR 150,000. Kantipur Media Group (KMG) has implemented technology to accurately measure the official timing of the participants completing the race.

Organized by Kantipur Media Group (KMG), the Kantipur Half Marathon will include four race events. The main event covers a distance of 21.1 kilometers, while the other three categories are the Corporate and Influencer Run (5 km), Extreme College Run (7 km), and Wheelchair Race (3 km). The theme for this year’s event is “Run for Nepal.”

In the main categories, both the male and female winners of the Kantipur Half Marathon will each receive NPR 150,000. Participants finishing from second through sixth place will be awarded NPR 75,000, 50,000, 30,000, 20,000, and 10,000 respectively. The wheelchair race winner will receive NPR 35,000, while second and third place finishers will earn NPR 25,000 and 15,000 respectively. This year, all participants who complete the race will receive medals.

The race will start in front of Kantipur’s office at Tripureshwor and follow the route through Tripureshwor, Koteshwor, Jadibuti, Lokanthali Gaththaghar, Thimi, Sallaghari, then turn at Jagate Chowk, continuing back through Koteshwor and ending at Tripureshwor. Registration for participants remains open until Chaitra 31 and can be completed through Kantipur Events. Notably, Kanchhimaya Kojule has won the women’s title five times, while Harikumar Rimal has secured the men’s title four times.