On March 25, the much anticipated conservation dialogue event organized by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) saw the coming together of some hundred and fifty attendees. Participants were mostly domestic and foreign partners, former and incumbent ministers, parliamentarians, ambassadors, high-level government and non-government officials, conservation and development experts and champions, invested in a green and sustainable future in Nepal.
NTNC Chairperson Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli chaired the event, also making a presentation capturing Nepal’s conservation journey starting from the '70s. The presentation drew on the many experiences and lessons that Nepal's conservation sector had to share to the world, about collaborative projects and partnerships leading to the country's global conservation credibility, NTNC's unique contributions in the five decade-long journey, alongside new emerging priorities and contexts.
In his address, chief guest of the event, Hon. Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, highlighted NTNC’s paramount position in the global stage and spoke of Nepal as being an example of hope for the wellbeing of the planet and future generations. He noted the disproportionate impacts of climate change faced in Nepal, in spite of its commitment to nature conservation and sustainability. Here he called on the global community to join hands and do more to recognize and compensate the invaluable environmental services provided by Nepal.
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Camoys, Member of the UK House of Lords and NTNC Board Member made the keynote address. The Lord Camoys shared of his early associations with Nepal, his experience working at NTNC as an intern, and his lifelong passion for Nepal’s natural and cultural heritage. He lauded Nepal as a global leader in conservation and said that the whole world was thankful for its remarkable efforts.
A felicitation ceremony was also extended at the event by Hon. Minister Basnet on the The Rt. Hon. The Lord Camoys in light of his first visit to Nepal after becoming a House of Lords member.
Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, who was among the other notable guests sharing the stage, spoke of NTNC’s unique institutional merits and the important role of collaborative efforts and strong partnerships.
Drs. Cas F. de Stoppelaar, Honorary Consul General of Nepal to the Netherlands and NTNC Board Member, in his address, recalled his first visit to Nepal as a researcher 54 years ago. He spoke about unleashing the hidden value of nature in Nepal for the future, ongoing research collaborations between NTNC and his Dutch counterparts, and on potentials for Nepal to link into innovative global credit and funding systems through biodiversity-based credits.
Mr. Sharad Chandra Adhikari, Member Secretary of NTNC, who made the welcome address, reiterated the importance of diversifying partnerships and connecting leaders and global perspectives for advancing Nepal’s conservation success in to the future.
The dialogue event titled '50 Years+ of Nepal's Conservation: A Global Perspective' was organized as an initiative to open up partnership pathways and potentials between conservation stakeholders and the wider global community working in Nepal, specifically those working in areas impacting biodiversity conservation, green growth, and sustainability-led programming.
Premised under the theme ‘Partnerships & Pathways from Plain to Plateau to Planet’, a video was showcased at the start of the event, setting in course the overall evening deliberations.
* Watch full video recording of the event here: https://fb.watch/r59QbFz6xl/
