Kathmandu, Aug 8: Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun has said the government has placed research, innovation and invention at the centre of its efforts to achieve economic prosperity.

Speaking at an interaction organized by Dhaulagiri Gaupalika Samaj in Kathmandu on Saturday, Minister Pun said the government was promoting research and innovation to create employment opportunities and reduce dependence on imports by producing essential goods and equipment domestically.

He said the Ministry has also introduced programmes aimed at developing skilled human resources required by the country and addressing the growing problem of brain drain.

“Research and invention have been given high priority by the current government,” Minister Pun said, adding that efforts were underway to retain skilled human resources within the country.

During the programme, people’s representatives from local levels of Myagdi district discussed measures to accelerate the district’s development through agricultural modernization, hydropower, tourism and livestock development.

Minister Pun also pledged to introduce two new trekking routes in Myagdi—Gurja-Dhorpatan and Dobade-Chimkhola—during the current fiscal year.

He further assured that immediate steps would be taken after the monsoon to control landslides at Sirubari along the Beni-Jomsom road section and at Phaparkhet along the Beni-Darbang road section.