Kathmandu, Nepal – At an event organized in Kathmandu, WWF(World Wildlife Fund) Nepal have recognized the role and contributions of promising individuals and organizations through the Conservation Awards and Memorial Scholarships and Fellowship on the occasion of its 26th anniversary.
Two organizations; Community Development and Advocacy Forum (CDAFN), Mahottari and Ranibari Community Forest Users Group Committee, Kathmandu. Likewise three individuals Madhab Prasad Aryal from Palpa, Nima Lama from Gorkha and Uma Kant Panta from Dang were presented the WWF Nepal Conservation Awards 2019 for their role in biodiversity conservation. Selected by an independent panel, the awardees received a cash prize of NRs. 50,000 for individuals and NRs. 100,000 for organizations.
Meanwhile, seven students were awarded scholarships to pursue higher level studies in natural resource management. Mr. Manoj Neupane was awarded the Chandra Gurung Memorial Fellowship, likewise Ms. Prativa Khatri the Jillian Bowling Schlaepfer Memorial Scholarship, Ms. Manisha Koirala and Ms. Saru Chaudhary the Jennifer Headley Memorial Scholarship, Ms. Sanju Raut and Mr. Temba Gurung the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship and finally Ms. Seniwa Nembang the WWF Nepal Conservation Memorial Scholarship.
Speaking at the event, Chief Guest, Honorable Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Minister of Forests & Environment said, “The efforts of conservation organizations in protecting the nation’s biodiversity have put Nepal on the global map. And while Nepal has achieved encouraging success, there lie many challenges like infrastructural development, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade among others that can no longer be the concern of only those involved in the conservation sector.” While extending his congratulations to the award and scholarship winners, Mr. Basnet also urged them to continue their efforts in conservation with utmost dedication and commitment.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ghana S. Gurung, Country Representative, WWF Nepal stressed on the need to adopt cleaner and greener practices especially given the changing political context and the push towards rapid infrastructural development as Nepal seeks to graduate from its Least Developed Country status. He further emphasized the role that sustainable infrastructures and lifestyles could play in building a future in which people can live in harmony with nature.
