Policy Disaster: Why Nepal Failed Science-Based Policy | Prakash K Paudel & Ganesh Shah

Описание: Policy in Nepal is often shaped by power, politics, and populism—but where does science truly stand in the decision-making process?

In this thought-provoking episode, the host Dr. Prakash Kumar Paudel, a conservation biologist and policy researcher, sits down with Ganesh Shah, senior political leader and former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, to critically examine why science-based policymaking has struggled in Nepal.

This episode explores the complex relationship between research, governance, and political transition in Nepal. The conversation explores:

1. Why science-based policy often fails in Nepal’s political spectrum ?
2. The real process of policy development—how decisions are actually made
3. Whether and how research findings are integrated into national policy
4. Structural challenges in Nepal’s research environment
5. Academic integrity and how scholars perceive the research culture in Nepal
6. The impact of political transition after the Gen Z movement
7. The emergence of new political parties and shifting public expectations
8. Populism versus institutional stability—where should Nepal begin?
9. The role of academics and intellectuals in shaping evidence-based governance

Drawing from academic research, policy experience, and political leadership perspectives, this episode goes beyond surface-level debates to uncover systemic gaps between knowledge production and public policy in Nepal.

If you care about governance reform, academic integrity, evidence-based policy, political transformation, or Nepal’s future institutional direction, this episode offers grounded insights and bold reflections.

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:17 Why Policies Fail in Nepal
00:06:10 Evidence- and Science-Based Policy Development in Nepal
00:14:00 Academia–Policy Nexus and Research Integrity in Nepal
00:23:20 The Research Environment in Nepal
00:28:00 Does Research Inform Policy in Nepal? Rhetoric vs. Reality
00:42:20 Donor-Driven Knowledge, Policy, and Our Future Discourse
00:53:00 The New Movement, Gen Z, and Elections
00:56:00 New Parties vs. Old Parties: Who Can Be Trusted?
01:00:12 The Role of Nepal’s Academia in Opinion Building
01:02:53 Personal Reflection

About Guest

Ganesh Shah is a senior Nepali political leader and former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Government of Nepal. With decades of experience in public policy, governance, and political reform, he has been actively engaged in Nepal’s democratic movements and institutional transformation processes. His work intersects science policy, governance reform, and national development strategy.

About Host
Dr. Prakash Kumar Paudel is a Conservation Biologist with more than two decades of research and professional experience in biodiversity conservation, environmental governance, and sustainable development. His work focuses on the science–policy–practice interface, with particular emphasis on conservation planning, wildlife ecology, community-based natural resource management, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and ecosystem-based adaptation.

In this episode, Dr. Paudel also reflects on his own research findings on academic integrity in Nepal and how scholars perceive the country’s research and policy environment—bringing empirical evidence into a critical national conversation.


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Disclaimer: This podcast episode is intended for educational and awareness purposes only. The discussion focuses on governance, research-policy integration, and political transformation in Nepal. Views expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the official positions of their affiliated institutions.

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