Former President of Nepal Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari visited the NTNC central office on April 19 where she was welcomed by NTNC’s Governing Board of Trustees led by Chairperson Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli.
The visit commenced with a plantation programme at the NTNC Complex, after which a brief interaction and introduction meeting was held.
At the meeting, NTNC Member Secretary Mr. Sharad Chandra Adhikari made the formal welcome address, reiterating NTNC’s mandate, mission and constitution. A separate presentation about NTNC’s work was made by NTNC Director Dr. Chiranjibi Prasad Pokharel.
Dr. Bijay Kumar Danuwar, from the NTNC Board, pointed to challenges arising from human-wildlife conflict, problem animal management, and climate change, as matters requiring urgent attention and action.
Chairperson Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli shared about strategic areas and innovative approaches being pursued by NTNC to enhance Nepal’s capacity in biodiversity conservation, wildlife science and research, climate action, and sustainable development.
In her address, the former president spoke about the severe air, terrestrial and water pollution crisis being experienced, particularly prominent in major cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara and Biratnagar. She pointed at the unusual temperature rise and shift in seasonal cycles lately, and voiced her concern about the alarming rate of snowmelt in the Himalayas.
Congratulating NTNC on its efforts despite the challenges, she advised for institutions such as NTNC to ensure that science and research-based priorities advocating for green, resilient and sustainable futures are urgently translated into policy and practice.
The meeting was followed by a visit to the Central Zoo in Jawalkhel, where the former president joined senior citizens for the inaugural ride of the new electric cart supported by the Lalitpur Metropolitan City.
