Opinion - Gobinda Pokharel

Space Technology is Nepal’s Next Frontier for Diplomacy

1 month ago

In my latest article for The Diplomat Nepal, I explore why space is no longer a luxury for developing nations ? In this article I explored about the success of NepaliSat-1 and Munal. Embrace the $1.8 trillion global space market by 2035.

I argued that the reality of the 21st century is space technology is the backbone of modern disaster resilience, climate monitoring and telecommunications.

Having followed our journey from the initial launch in 2019 to the current manufacturing of the RSMS-sat constellation, I believe our greatest strength lies in our soft power diplomacy.

नेपालका सिमसारको बिग्रँदो स्वास्थ्य

2 months ago

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Opinion

गोविन्द पोखरेल

हरेक वर्षको फेब्रुअरी २ तारिखका दिन विश्वव्यापी रूपमा सिमसार दिवस मनाइँदै आइएको छ । यो वर्ष सिमसार र परम्परागत ज्ञानमा आधरित नारा रहेको छ ।

नेपालको सिमसार नीति, २०६९ ले प्राकृतिक तथा कृत्रिम रूपमा पानी जमेर वा बगेर,अस्थायी वा स्थायी रुपमा बनेको दलदल क्षेत्रलाई सिमसार भनेर परिभाषित गरेको छ । सरल भाषामा भन्नुपर्दा सिमसारमा न पानी सुक्छ न त जमिन नै लुक्छ ।

The ‘Sleeping Giant’ of Nepal

December 3, 2025

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Opinion, Science and Environment

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

Today, a photograph released by the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) caught my eye. It was a captivating shot of Kumbhakarna Himal. Struck by its beauty, I found myself digging deeper into the story behind this peak. What I discovered was a fascinating blend of culture, mythology and mountaineering history that I felt compelled to share.

How Nepal Mastered Tiger Diplomacy

December 1, 2025

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Opinion, Science and Environment

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

When we think of diplomacy we usually picture suits, handshakes and conference rooms. But in Nepal, diplomacy has stripes.

I recently came across an article on Diplomat Nepal titled ‘The Roar of Nepal’s Tiger Diplomacy’. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. We often hear doom and gloom stories about endangered species, but Nepal is writing a different narrative one where conservation isn’t just about saving animals. It’s about national pride, international relations and economic survival.

Chasing the Indian Flapshell Turtle

November 11, 2025

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Opinion, Science and Environment

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

It was a normal afternoon in my village home in Urlabari Municipality, Morang District. While walking along the roadside, I noticed something unusual — a tiny turtle barely 100 grams was struggling to move across the concrete path.

Its shell was soft and flexible and with a closer look, I realized it was the Indian Flapshell Turtle — locally called ‘पुतली कछुवा’ or Butterfly Turtle.

Should we demolish the ruins of the Gen-Z Movement or build a memorial museum?

September 19, 2025

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Opinion

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

On Bhadra 23 and 24, the Gen-Z movement overturned the politics of the country. Its main demands were: an end to growing corruption, halting politicization in public institutions, retirement of the top party leaders, and withdrawal of the decision to ban social media. Because of this anger, 19 youths protesting on the streets lost their lives. After their deaths, the outrage grew even stronger. The next day, the country faced a massive revolt that turned the three major state structures of Nepal into ashes. Altogether, 72 people died in this uprising.

Nepal’s Wildlife Diplomacy

August 21, 2025

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Opinion, Science and Environment

Nepal is again in the forefront of ‘wildlife diplomacy’—from gifting gharial eggs and rhinos earning international goodwill. For the first time ever, elephants have taken center stage in Nepal. In my recent Op’ed Article for Diplomat Nepal Magazine of 2025, August Issue, I explore how this diplomatic pivot—from rhinos to elephants—signals changing times, deeper conservation ties and a new chapter in Nepal’s global engagement.

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel
August 10, 2025

Nepal’s wildlife diplomacy has taken a new turn with the decision to gift two elephants – Khagendra Prasad and Rudrakali – to Qatar. This will mark the first time Nepal has gifted elephants to another country. In the past, Nepal has gifted rhinos, leopards, red pandas, and other wild species.

Nepal continued its tradition of wildlife diplomacy during K.P. Sharma Oli’s first term as Prime Minister. On July 10, 2016, his cabinet decided to gift rhinos to China, making it the first live animal gift since Nepal became a federal democratic republic. Previously, such gestures were mostly made by the Royal family during the monarchy. The decision followed a meeting in January 2016 between then Forest Minister Agni Sapkota and Zhang Jianlong, Director of China’s National Forestry Administration.

संरक्षण केवल संख्या मात्रै हैन, सहअस्तित्व पनि हो

July 29, 2025

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Opinion, Science and Environment

कुनै समय थियो जतिबेला बाघ मार्नु भनेको गौरव हुन्थ्यो । सन् १९११ मा बेलायती राजा जर्ज पञ्चमको नेपाल भ्रमणका क्रममा केवल एकै दिनमा ३५ वटा बाघलगायतका वन्यजन्तु मारेको अभिलेख छ । नेपालका राजारजौटाहरूले वन्यजन्तुको शिकारलाई एउटा शान र तागतको रूपमा लिन्थे ।

तराई क्षेत्रमा भएको अधिक वन विनाश र शिकारका कारण कुनै समय नेपालमा बाघको संख्या एक सयभन्दा कममा झरेको विगत छ ।

Madhesh, Monsoon and Drought

July 25, 2025

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Opinion

Mid June and the End of September is normally considered the Monsson Season in Nepal. July and August are the months that receives heavist rainfall in Nepal. But, this Year in the peak of monsoon, Madhesh Province is facing drought. This situtation has led the provincial governmentn to officially declare it a ‘Drought-Hit Province.’

Royalty and Hollywood for Nepal’s Tigers

June 15, 2025

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News, Opinion, Science and Environment

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

It was the second week of Chaitra, 2072 (March 2016), Prince Harry of the United Kingdom was on a rafting trip along the Khoriya River in Bardiya. Bird expert Hem Sagar Baral, wildlife expert Shanta Raj Gyawali, nature guide Rajan Kshetri and others were accompanying the trip. Baral had brought two expensive binoculars made by Swarovski. Aware of the etiquette and formalities needed when meeting a member of the royal family, including appropriate language and dress, the team was cautious. However, Harry stood out as different from other royal family members.

Category - Opinion