Nepal Roundup: Tourism, petroleum grant from India, media at risk
Media at risk
Nepal’s media sector, significantly impacted by the pandemic, faces a critical juncture with ongoing job losses and salary cuts for journalists. Increased government pressure and censorship during the pandemic are escalating, exemplified by new bills aimed at consolidating media control and vague guidelines restricting communication on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. Labour rights issues are also prominent, with many journalists filing complaints for unpaid wages, particularly against Kantipur Media Group, leading to legal actions against the company. The environment mirrors global trends of economic instability and political pressures on media, raising concerns about the future of independent journalism in Nepal, My Republica reports.
Nepalis injured in Mexico
Three Nepali nationals were injured in an incident involving Mexican security forces on October 2 near the Mexico-Guatemala border. All 11 Nepali nationals in the vehicle are currently in detention by Mexican immigration authorities. The Nepali Embassy in Washington DC confirmed that no Nepali died in the shooting, which reportedly involved multiple nationalities. The embassy is in contact with Mexican authorities for further updates, according to The Kathmandu Post.
Floods
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Nepal after heavy flooding and landslides last week resulted in over 236 deaths and significant property damage. In a letter to Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Modi offered India’s assistance for relief and reconstruction efforts. As a result of the disaster, 173 people were injured, and 19 remain missing, with 17,120 having been rescued. Nepal's government is providing emergency relief and free medical treatment. Search and rescue operations are nearing completion, and efforts to assist victims’ families are ongoing across affected districts, ANI reports.
Tourism boom
In September 2024, Nepal recorded a record-breaking 96,305 foreign tourist arrivals, surpassing the previous high of 91,012 in September 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). This marks a nearly 6% increase from last year. While arrivals from India decreased by 20% to 22,984 visitors, European and American tourist numbers rose significantly, with 17,104 Europeans (up 12%) and 11,549 Americans (up 36%) visiting in September. The overall total for January through September 2024 reached over 816,000 tourists, contributing positively to the Nepali economy. As reported by My Republica, the NTB aims to attract 1.6 million foreign tourists in the current fiscal year.
Petroleum grant from India
India has pledged a grant of Rs 15 billion for the construction of a petroleum pipeline and fuel storage facility in Nepal. An agreement between Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was signed in New Delhi for projects including a new pipeline from Siliguri to Jhapa and an extension from Amlekhgunj to Chitwan. IOC will build a storage tank in Jhapa, while NOC will invest approximately Rs 9.5 billion for a storage facility in Chitwan. These projects aim to improve fuel supply efficiency, reduce transportation costs, and minimise environmental impact. The Siliguri-Jhapa pipeline will primarily serve the eastern region of Nepal, addressing the inadequacies of the current Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline, reports My Republica.
