Lumbini, Feb. 24 -- As political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the March 5 elections, infrastructure development dominates speeches and poll manifestos while issues of nature conservation, eco-tourism and climate resilience remain largely overlooked.

Although eco-tourism is widely recognised as a vital pillar of national development, economic growth, cultural preservation and job creation, electoral pledges continue to prioritise physical infrastructure over environmental sustainability. Conservationists and stakeholders warn that in the rush to unveil vote-winning projects, long-term ecological concerns are being ignored.

"Nepal holds immense potential as one of the world's finest eco-tourism destinations," said Raju Achar...