The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report warns that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving more extreme weather and posing serious threats to lives, ecosystems, and economies. In 2024, Asia experienced its warmest or second warmest year on …
KATHMANDU: The Legislature-Parliament has ratified the statute of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN). Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Agni Prasad Sapkota presented a proposal seeking the ratification in the Parliament meeting today. Responding to questions raised by lawmakers during a discussion on the statute, Minister Sapkota argued …
Following unseasonably heavy pre-monsoon rains, Pakistan continues to be adversely affected by severe weather events. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains hit Ursoon village in south-west Chitral district on the evening of 2 July. The resulting flash flood washed away a mosque, an army …
Arsenic (As) exposure from drinking water is associated with modest intellectual deficits in childhood. It is not known whether reducing exposure is associated with improved intelligence. The researchers aimed to determine whether reducing As exposure is associated with improved child intellectual outcomes. Original Source
The growth of >300 million children <5 y old was mildly, moderately, or severely stunted worldwide in 2010. However, national estimates of the human capital and financial losses due to growth faltering in early childhood are not available. The researchers quantified the economic cost of growth faltering in developing countries. …
KATHMANDU: At least 12 aftershocks, minor to light, were recorded in three hours after the local magnitude 5.0 earthquake hit Bajhang district of far-western Nepal on Wednesday afternoon. Rastriya Samachar Samiti reported that the frequent temblors pushed the locals out of their residence in the district. But no casualty or …
RAWALPINDI: As blazing hot weather persists, many suburban areas in Rawalpindi have been facing acute water shortage, forcing residents to buy the commodity from tanker suppliers at exorbitant costs. In some areas, the situation is aggravating with each passing day as authorities have failed to ensure a modicum of water …
About 13% of households and 12.65% of the population in Bangladesh are under risk from disasters, which include floods, cyclones, drought, water-logging, landslides, and salinity, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) claims. When comparing divisions, Dhaka and Sylhet are most vulnerable to floods, Rajshahi and Rangpur to drought, Chittagong and Khulna …
GULARIYA, BARDIYA: The number of royal Bengal tigers has increased in Nepal in recent years. According to a representative survey carried out in Bardiya, the number of royal Bengal tigers has gone up. Though the poaching of the endangered species persists, the survey has shown a satisfying growth in the …
The Maldives, one of the countries most prone and vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as sea level rise and super storms, urged industrialized countries to affirm their commitment to the Paris climate change agreement by ratifying it. It has been six months since the famed gathering of …
This bottom-up modeling study, supported by new population census 2011 data, simulates ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure on local to regional scales. It quantifies, present-day premature mortalities associated with the exposure to near-surface PM2.5 and O3 concentrations in India using a regional chemistry model. We estimate that …
An earthquake has jolted different parts of the country on Thursday (today). The areas that were hit by the earthquake were Lahore, Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). According to American Geological Survey, the magnitude recorded on the Richter scale was 5.1. The epicentre was the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, …
ISLAMABAD: The government has fixed a target of agricultural credit for 2016-17 at Rs 680 billion in the '11th Five Year Plan'. According to sources, keeping in view the enthusiasm of the banks, push by the State Bank of Pakistan and support by the government, it is expected that this …
The Lawachhara National Park in Moulvibazar faces further shrinkage as the Bangladesh Railway wants to cut down more than 25,000 trees to ensure safety of train passengers. The railway authorities' appeal came following disruptions in train services in the last two years, caused by fallen trees on the railway lines …
KURIGRAM, Bangladesh (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Piyara Begum once had a happy life in Garuhara village by the Brahmaputra River in northern Bangladesh, but worsening erosion of the river banks has displaced her family seven times. Now Piyara, 30, has taken shelter in Panchgachi village, 8 kilometers away in the …
The Himalyan countries, including India, are likely to face an unprecedented food crisis unless they strengthen regional collaboration for the development of inclusive climate resilience in the region, experts have warned. The collaboration needs to be strengthened to address the food, water and energy issues in the Himalyan region, they …
ISLAMABAD: The involvement of a huge annual business of agriculture seeds valuing Rs40 to Rs60 billion is a key hurdle to passage of the Plant Breeders Rights Bill, which has been stuck in parliament for the last more than 10 years. In the absence of this law that safeguards intellectual …
The High Court today ordered owners of 154 tanners based in Dhaka’s Hazaribagh area to pay Tk 50,000 per day each in compensation for damaging the environment. The tanners will have to pay the compensation to state fund until they relocate their industries to Savar. Following a petition filed by …
PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to provide a complete record of action taken against those industries that are causing pollution. A division bench, comprising justices Yahya Afridi and Syed Afsar Shah, was hearing a petition filed by two construction companies, Stinger Construction Company and Durrani Construction …
An earthquake of moderate intensity jolted several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on Wednesday; no casualty or loss of property was reported. According to the geological wing of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), an earthquake of magnitude 5.4 on the Richter scale was felt in Malakand …
UNITED NATIONS (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Melting ice in Antarctica puts as many as 30 million people in Bangladesh at risk of losing their homes over the coming century, according to a new documentary focused on the human cost of climate change. The film, "Thirty Million," made its premiere this …
