Tek Singh Bhat

Nepal's iconic glaciers and snow-capped peaks, symbols of natural beauty and vital sources of water, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to climate change. The recent compensation announcement at COP29 raises a critical question: can this funding genuinely restore fragile ecosystems, or is it merely a temporary measure to address visible impacts while neglecting deeper, systemic issues? Melting mountains in pakistan (Photo : social media)  At COP29 in Baku, global leaders committed $300 billion to climate action—an unprecedented pledge but far less than the $1.3 trillion demanded by developing nations. This disparity has fueled doubts about wealthier nations’ commitment to tackling the root causes of climate degradation. Critics argue that without a clear and actionable implementation plan, the promised funds risk being no more than a superficial band-aid for a profound crisis. For vulnerable nations like Nepal, this compensation feels more like a compromise than a victory. Th...

  A River Transformed in Two Months Just two months ago, in September, during the rainfall, I stood before a river full of life, its waters stretching from one bank to the other. Today, that very place resembles a rubble storage site—bare, sandy, and devoid of water. How could this river change so drastically in such a short time?  This stark transformation is not an isolated case. Traveling along the 100 km highway stretch from Pathalaiya (Bara District) to Bardibas (Mahottari District), I have observed over 20 such rivers. During the monsoon, they are raging torrents, but for the rest of the year, they appear lifeless—just expanses of white sand and gravel. These sights leave one questioning: What is happening to our rivers and landscapes?  A Wake-Up Call: The 2024 September Floods The urgency of this issue was underscored during the catastrophic floods of September 27-28, 2024. Relentless rains caused devastating flooding, landslides, and lightning strikes across Nepal...

Torrential Rains in Nepal: A Catastrophic Impact Over 2 Days Photo : Kathmandu, Nepal (PC : Setopati) Nepal has faced severe devastation due to torrential rains over the past two days , causing widespread damage across the country. From September 27-28, 2024, relentless downpours have triggered flooding, landslides, and lightning strikes , wreaking havoc from the eastern to the western regions. The situation has left 108  people dead, 64 missing, and 73 others injured as per official reports of Nepal police and media reports- RSS.   Widespread Rescue Operations In response to the disaster, the government has mobilized 20,000 security personnel, including the Nepal Army and Armed Police Force (APF), to lead rescue and relief operations across the country. Over 3039 people have been rescued from disaster zones by security forces, who have also used boats and helicopters to reach stranded individuals in flood-affected areas​ (Nepal police and media reports)  Extensive ...

Social Research: A Guiding Light for Decision-Making In social science research, effective decision-making requires an emphasis on obtaining relevant and accurate information about the organization’s internal and external environments. The primary goal is to provide timely and meaningful insights to senior management, enabling them to plan and execute informed decisions. The research process within organizations typically follows several key stages: 1. Problem Identification This stage involves monitoring and analyzing the internal and external environments to identify key  issues or challenges. Through this process, researchers conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to gain a deeper understanding of the situation. Data on emerging problems and opportunities is gathered. For example, an Indian garment company looking to expand internationally would need to research market trends, brand awareness, consumer behavior, and competitor analysis. Fai...

A pilot test is a trial run of a survey or research tool to identify and fix potential issues with questions, response options, and data collection methods before the full study. Pilot testing (or pre-testing) survey tools is crucial for ensuring the survey collects accurate and relevant data. It helps detect potential biases, issues with question wording or order, and misunderstandings. Pilot testing also verifies that pre-coded responses are appropriate and refines interview techniques. Ideally, a small group or people representative (numbers depends on the context and tools) of the target sample should be used, rather than project staff. After administering the survey, feedback from participants can guide refinements. Analyzing mock data with stakeholders ensures the survey can generate useful, actionable insights.  Key Importance of Pilot Testing :  Identify Biases: Ensures wording, question order, and interpretation don’t skew results. Refine Questions: Helps d...

To seek information about rainfall and floods, dial 1155, and for rescue assistance, dial 1149 The National Monsoon Preparedness and Response Work Plan for 2081 has been approved by Government of Nepal. This plan, which assesses the potential risks and damages that could occur during this year's monsoon, outlines the responsibilities of federal ministries, authorities, departments, security agencies, provincial governments, districts, and local levels. Generated Photo  Anticipated impacts of the monsoon (Data source; NDRRMA) In the work plan for this year, it is estimated that approximately 1.8 million people and 412,000 households may be affected in some way by disasters. Additionally, it is projected that 83,000 households could be directly impacted by monsoon-related disasters, and 18,000 households may require rescue and relief efforts due to such events. The estimated Data highlights the significant scale of potential disaster impact, emphasizing the particular vulnerability t...