National
ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Sunday, April 7
Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (April 7, 2019).Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (April 7, 2019).
Meet the Nepali researcher who led the team that discovered a new species of bird
Earlier this year, a team of researchers from Louisiana State University led by Subir B Shakya discovered the new species of bird, found in the Sundaic islands.
The study’s lead author Shakya, who was born and raised in Kathmandu has been recognised and praised for his persistent hard work.
The 27-year-old ornithologist and PhD candidate at LSU embarked on his journey to the lush forests and mountains of Sumatra on February 16, 2018. His team of five members camped away from the human settlement at 1,000 metres elevation for eight days.
The location for his field study hadn’t been visited by any ornithologist for the last 100 years. This added to the thrill, and was a challenge for Shakya and his team.
Over 6,000 refugees from Bhutan remain at camps in Jhapa and Morang and most of them are aching for their homeland.
When the government of Bhutan expelled tens of thousands of its Nepali-speaking Lhotshampa population in 1991, branding them as “illegal settlers”, they fled to Nepal in hordes.
The expulsion was prompted by a census carried out in 1988, which identified around 113,000 Nepali-speaking people as “illegals”.
The Bhutanese refugee issue has been a tripartite matter since its start, involving Bhutan, India and Nepal, but India has for long recognised it as a bilateral problem between Nepal and Bhutan.
In May 2007, a group of Bhutanese refugees attempted what they called “long march to Bhutan” only to face resistance from Indian security forces. Nepal and Bhutan are separated by a strip of land which belongs to India.
City’s broomer machines cleaning VVIP areas only
Around two weeks ago when the Kathmandu Metropolitan City brought its five new Italian broomer machines into operation, it announced five different routes where the machines would be deployed to clean the city roads. But the machines have reached only a few VVIP road sections so far, neglecting other areas of the Valley.
When the Post visited Baluwatar, Maharajgung, Lazimpat, Durbar Marg and Kantipath last week, the roads were clean and dust-free, but the remaining road sections along Chuchepati, Bafal, Kalanki, Tinkune, Sinamangal, Old Baneshwor, Chabahil, Balaju, New Bus Park, Vanasthali and Sitapaila were covered in dust, as the machines didn’t reach those areas.
Government doctors steadfast on their strike against Civil Servants Adjustment Bill
With the government doctors steadfast on their strike to press the government for amendment to the Civil Servants Adjustment Bill, thousands of patients across the country are likely to be deprived of medical services for a third consecutive day on Sunday.
The agitating doctors, who have been protesting against the new bill that puts them under the jurisdiction of provincial governments, say they wish to remain under the scope of federal government so as not to hamper their career growth.
The government doctors say they are willing to be posted anywhere so long as the deployments are made by the federal government.
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