Kathmandu, Oct. 1 -- The Nepal government has drawn criticism over a new national climate policy, which, according to many stakeholders, was hastily drawn up after the Bhotekoshi flood and in view of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 31).

Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment circulated a new National Climate Policy-2083 draft and sought comments and recommendations from those interested in it.

Multiple stakeholders found holes in the draft policy on addressing rising temperatures, lessons learnt from the August Bhotekoshi flood, climate governance, establishing institutional mechanisms for policy implementation, monitoring, accountability, and transparency, among others.

But the govern...