The aquifers of Dailekh have spread the light of new possibilities in the energy sector of Nepal today. The discovery of vast deposits of methane gas has made this small village a symbol of the country's dream of self-sufficiency.

The aquifers of Dailekh have spread the light of new possibilities in the energy sector of Nepal today. The discovery of vast deposits of methane gas has made this small village a symbol of the country's dream of self-sufficiency. This discovery is not only the identification of natural resources, it is a beacon of hope burning in the hearts of every Nepalese, which has revealed the path to energy security and economic prosperity.

vs. The drilling started by China Geological Survey Company in Jaljale from 28th Baisakh 2078 has discovered that there is a deposit of 1.12 billion cubic meters of methane gas at a depth of 4 thousand 13 meters. This is the result of the first well out of four possible wells. It is estimated that about 2 billion cubic meters more gas will be extracted from the remaining three wells. If this figure turns into reality, Nepal will have the opportunity to become self-sufficient in gas throughout the next decade. Such a big success is not only limited to the country's energy security, but it is also a subject that has the potential to bring radical changes in the nation's economic strategy.

But looking at this light, questions are also being raised. The initial cost of the project, which was fully funded by China, was Rs 21 crore. The project has now reached a critical stage, although the cost and time have increased due to Covid-19 and technical challenges. A final report is expected by December 2025, after which testing of commercial products will begin. The question arises here, whether such a project is being run in a transparent and long-term national interest? The possibility that technical and strategic intervention under the guise of foreign subsidies may have a serious impact in the future cannot be ruled out.

In the meantime, the inconsistency in the data is even more worrying. Figures from the Department of Mines and Geology and public media are different. Factual inconsistencies hurt public confidence. Transparency is the first condition for providing accurate information to the people and if the government seems to fail there, all hopes for the future are in danger of becoming an unfulfilled dream.

Although methane gas is accepted worldwide as a clean fuel, it is also a type of greenhouse gas. Extreme caution is required to maintain ecological balance in its extraction, processing and use. If Nepal gets only cheap energy by extracting gas, it will be an incomplete victory. It cannot transform economic gains into sustainable prosperity without policies to reduce environmental damage, the use of modern technology and a long-term perspective.

But now the sun of hope is shining in the flooded village. Local residents are excited about the job prospects, and are beginning to see signs of development. For many, this gas is more than a statistic, it is the first national message to the village that the door of opportunity can open even in villages far from the capital. This light burning in the scorched earth is not just gas, it has given a sense of possibility.