Nepali Times ePaper
Dear Nepali Times Readers,
As the COViD-19 pandemic enters a third year, Nepal is on the cusp of a third wave. Cases are rising fast, on Friday there were 5,087 new cases up from 3,553 on Thursday. The positivity rate has soared 10 times in a week.
The cases in India have gone up, and Nepal usually follows suit. While Omicron is believed to be milder than Delta, it is more transmissible. So, while the variant may not put a person in a hospital, the elderly and immunocompromised population are still at risk.
As Sonia Awale points out in her Page 1 story, the government needs to scramble to inoculate the unvaccinated, offer boosters to frontline workers, the elderly, and people in densely populated areas, the best bet still is to mask up and maintain social distancing.
Highlights from this week’s issue:
Today as we mark the National Earthquake Safety Day, here is the yearly reminder that earthquakes in Nepal are not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’. Despite the death and destruction in the 2015 earthquake, it is business as usual for Nepalis as many continue to flout building codes, and urban centers continue to lose open spaces. This earthquake safety day, let us remember that preparedness will mean life or death for everyone.
Mini Forest to Make Kathmandu More Liveable:
A reforestation method developed in Japan 40 years ago, could hold the answer to turning Kathmandu clean and green. Read more about the Miyawaki method of reforestation.
Nepali Artist’s Butterfly Effect:
Milan Rai has come a long way since his project to stick white butterflies to trees in Nepal went viral worldwide. His art has now morphed into activism to save Kathmandu’s open spaces.
Historic Kathmandu Beneath Our Feet:
Beneath the soil of Kathmandu Valley are relics of historical settlements and clues to past earthquakes. These need to be studied and protected.
As Kathmandu's mayor hits the campaign trail for re-election, he has over-fulfilled his promise from 2017 and has turned the city into a genuine Smart-Ass City. This week on the Backside column, the Ass also highlights other measures the mayor has taken to make Kathmandu more intelligent.
This and more online at nepalitimes.com.
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Stay Safe.
Sahina Shrestha