Kathmandu faces severe air pollution, exacerbated by vehicle emissions, factory pollution, construction dust, and its valley location. Climatologist Sudeep Thakuri warns that climate change may worsen the situation by affecting rainfall patterns, which cleanse the air. The city's air quality is already a major health concern, with around 5,000 deaths annually. Wildfires, influenced by climate change, contribute to the pollution. Air quality specialist Bhupendra Das and conservationist Rajendra Narayan Suwal emphasize the need for regional cooperation and forest management to address the issue. The article suggests that tackling air pollution can also have positive impacts on emissions reduction.

Nepal's government has issued a controversial ordinance bypassing parliament to facilitate foreign investment in protected areas, potentially undermining conservation efforts. The ordinance, signed by President Ram Chandra Poudel, amends several laws, including the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, to allow infrastructure projects in areas previously considered sensitive. Critics argue this move could have long-term negative consequences for conservation and local communities. The ordinance was issued ahead of the Nepal Investment Summit to attract foreign investors, with projects like cable car lines in the Annapurna region and a hotel in Rara National Park on the agenda. The ordinance must be endorsed by parliament within six months to remain law.

A study published in the journal Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research found that tough microbes can survive extreme conditions on Mount Everest for decades. Despite strong winds at the South Col, microbes such as bacteria, protists, and fungi, including some found only at high altitudes, were detected in soil samples. The study, which involved researchers setting up the world's highest weather station, suggests that these microbes are surviving but not necessarily living, as they can remain dormant when frozen. The findings have implications for understanding microbial survival in harsh climates and potentially on other planets.

A study focusing on the impact of road traffic on tiger movements in Nepal's Bardiya National Park and Parsa National Park has revealed that roads significantly impede tiger movements within their habitats. Researchers observed a female tiger in Bardiya and a male tiger in Parsa, both fitted with GPS collars, and found that traffic volume affects their movements, space use, and habitat selection. The study, important in light of plans to expand the East-West Highway, showed that tigers adapted quickly to reduced traffic during COVID-19 lockdowns, suggesting potential mitigation measures. The study's findings are crucial for tiger conservation, as roads can alter hunting and mating behaviors, impacting survival and fitness at the population level. The government of Nepal has introduced guidelines for wildlife-friendly infrastructure but has seen little implementation. The study calls for more research and the use of mitigation measures to conserve tiger populations.

Nepal's grassland management practices, particularly in national parks like Bardiya and Chitwan, are under scrutiny as traditional methods may not be effective. Researcher Shyam Thapa suggests that manual cutting of grass four times a year could improve the quality of grass for herbivores, which in turn could support a higher density of tigers. The current reliance on mechanized cutting and burning is less effective in the long term and may harm the ecosystem. Thapa also recommends translocating herbivores to their historical ranges and involving local communities in grassland management to ensure sustainability and better outcomes for wildlife conservation.

Orchids in Nepal face significant challenges due to unsustainable harvesting and international trade, particularly for use in traditional medicines. Conservation biologist Reshu Bashyal, working with Greenhood Nepal, highlights gaps in the implementation of CITES-related laws and the need for better field-level research and species management plans. The federal structure of Nepal adds complexity to conservation efforts, with local community forest user groups playing a crucial role. Challenges include road construction, which destroys orchid habitats, and the need for greater awareness and updated inventories of orchid species. Bashyal emphasizes the importance of appreciating wildflowers in their natural habitat and adhering to research ethics.

A study conducted in Nepal and China reveals that the lesser necklaced laughingthrush may mimic the greater necklaced laughingthrush as an evolutionary strategy to gain protection and better access to food. The research, led by Kamal Raj Gosai, suggests that the mimicry is evident in the feather coloration when the two species coexist in mixed flocks. The study highlights the potential benefits of mimicry, such as reduced vigilance against predators and improved foraging opportunities. While the study's scope was limited, it opens avenues for further research into the social dynamics and evolutionary implications of mimicry among bird species.

Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) initiative, launched in 2004 to restore ecosystems and create dispersal space for tigers, has been recognized as one of seven U.N. World Restoration Flagships. The initiative has restored 66,800 hectares of forest and nearly tripled the Bengal tiger population. Despite this success, challenges such as infrastructure development, human-wildlife conflict, political instability, and climate change persist. The U.N. recognition will provide technical and financial support for further restoration. Experts emphasize the need for wildlife-friendly infrastructure and effective policy measures to sustain the initiative's success.

Dholes, or Indian wild dogs, are making a comeback in Nepal, reclaiming their historical range despite old and new threats. A study led by Yadav Ghimirey from Friends of Nature Nepal indicates that dholes have recolonized areas like the Annapurna Conservation Area and Tinjure–Milke–Jaljale forests. The study involved camera trap surveys, literature reviews, and interviews with herders and conservation practitioners. Factors such as reduced persecution, urbanization, and the return of prey like wild boars may have facilitated this recolonization. However, challenges remain, including habitat fragmentation, competition with tigers and leopards, and diseases from feral dogs. Conservationists emphasize the need for more focused studies and monitoring to ensure the dholes' continued recovery.

New guidelines intended to streamline the process for Nepalis affected by human-wildlife conflict to receive relief and compensation have instead created delays due to budgetary issues. The guidelines, effective from July 17, 2023, expanded the list of animals covered and shifted the responsibility to provincial forest offices. However, these offices have not received the necessary budget from provincial governments, causing a bottleneck. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation is in discussions with provincial governments to resolve the issue, with a potential shift to insurance-based schemes being considered.