Kathmandu, March 27 — Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has been appointed Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation in the new government led by Balendra Shah. Shrestha, elected from Kathmandu-8 to the House of Representatives, now leads a ministry critical to Nepal’s electrification, hydropower development, and irrigation management.
Growing up in the historic Basantapur area of Kathmandu, Shrestha built a reputation as both a heritage conservation activist and a leader in alternative politics. His political career began in 2017 with the Bibeksheel Nepali Dal and later continued through the Bibeksheel Sajha Party, where he was elected to the Bagmati Provincial Assembly in 2017.
During his provincial tenure, Shrestha emerged as a strong advocate for environmental protection, opposing tree felling, and promoting sustainable development. Following ideological differences after the merger of Bibeksheel and Sajha parties, he left to join the Rastriya Swatantra Party and successfully contested the 2022 House of Representatives elections.
Over nearly three years in parliament, he served as Deputy Leader of his parliamentary party and briefly as Minister for Youth and Sports. During his tenure, Shrestha oversaw initiatives such as publishing the annual sports calendar, resolving the Scouts’ land dispute, and establishing an Anti-Doping Agency.
Now at the helm of the Energy Ministry, Shrestha faces a challenging portfolio, overseeing eight projects listed as national pride projects. His responsibilities include rapid completion of energy projects, constructing transmission lines and substations, upgrading electricity infrastructure, and managing irrigation for arable land.
In addition, Shrestha is tasked with advancing long-awaited hydropower projects such as Budhigandaki and West Seti, while promoting the use of electric vehicles and clean cooking technologies to reduce petroleum and gas consumption. His leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing Nepal’s energy challenges and achieving sustainable development goals.
