Nepal

Bhumika Shrestha

Bhumika Shrestha becomes Nepal’s first out trans lawmaker

By / / Good News For Humankind

A historic milestone for representation has been reached as Bhumika Shrestha becomes the first out transgender lawmaker in the federal parliament of Nepal. A long-time leader with the Blue Diamond Society, Shrestha was appointed through the nation’s Proportional Representation system to ensure marginalized voices have a seat in the legislature. While activists maintain a measured outlook on the work remaining for marriage equality and rural acceptance, this appointment builds on a 20-year history of legal progress. This achievement provides a powerful regional blueprint for how developing nations can successfully integrate diverse identities into modern, democratic governance.

Poon Hill, Histan Mandali, Nepal

Nepal eliminates rubella as a public health problem

By / / Good News For Humankind

Nepal has officially eliminated rubella, a contagious virus that can cause serious complications for pregnant women and lifelong disabilities for newborns. Once a major public health concern, rubella often led to miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome, which can result in heart defects, deafness, and developmental challenges. Thanks to sustained vaccination campaigns and resilient health systems, Nepal has now achieved over 95% coverage since 2012. Verified by the World Health Organization, this milestone means safer pregnancies, healthier children, and greater hope for future generations.

Indonesian children smiling

Nine Asian nations have cut child mortality by more than half since 2000

By / / Good news links

Child mortality in Asia has fallen sharply, especially in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Nepal, which have all seen a decline of at least 50% since 2000. This progress amounts to millions more children surviving through the crucial early years of life. Particularly noteworthy, India’s child mortality fell from 9% to 3% and China’s from 4% to just 1%. These huge strides have been made possible by improved nutrition, clean water, sanitation, vaccinations, and poverty reduction.

Nepal river valley with mountains in background

The Supreme Court of Nepal extends no-construction zones along major rivers in Kathmandu Valley

By / / Good news links

The ruling introduces an additional 66-foot buffer zone, which would impact thousands of households, raising concerns about property rights and potential displacement. While environmental campaigners have welcomed the court’s decision as a crucial step toward saving the rivers of the valley, where encroachment and dumping of untreated solid and liquid waste is rampant, the federal government, under pressure from the local people, has filed for a review of the decision.

Red pandas in a tree

Nepal opens first community-based red panda conservation area 

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Nepal’s first community-based red panda conservation area has been established in the Puwamajhuwa area of Ilam Municipality, covering 287 acres of temperate broad-leaved forests. The conservation area aims to protect the endangered red panda species, promote ecotourism, and contribute to local community livelihoods. This initiative demonstrates the increased authority of local governments in Nepal following the 2015 Constitution, allowing for community-driven conservation efforts.

Mt. Everest

Chinese drones to transport trash from Nepal’s Mount Everest

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Nepal is set to deploy Chinese-made drones to transport garbage from the slopes of Everest, marking the first time unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be used commercially in the country’s high-altitude zones. This initiative announced by China’s leading drone manufacturer, Da Jiang Innovations aims to reduce the risks faced by Sherpas and improve waste management on the world’s tallest peak.

Wind turbines amid clouds

Seven countries now generate 100% of their electricity from renewable energy

By / / Good news links

Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Iceland, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo produced more than 99.7% of the electricity they consumed using geothermal, hydro, solar or wind power. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) also revealed that a further 40 countries generated at least 50% of the electricity they consumed from renewable energy technologies in 2021 and 2022.