Yesterday on June 05, on the occasion of the World Environment Day 2023, NTNC brought together over 1300 Friends-of-Zoo (FOZ) students of Kathmandu Valley under the theme "Solutions to plastic pollution". In total some 1800 participants were there to mark the important day dedicated to revisiting the relationship individuals and societies share with their natural environment.
Joining the celebrations was the Hon’ble Minister for Forests and Environment Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato, who was chief guest at the event. MOFE Secretary Dr. Rewati Raman Poudel and Lalitpur Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor Ms. Manjali Shakya Bajracharya were special guests. NTNC Chairman Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli chaired the gathering event.
The day started with an early morning rally followed by a mass gathering in front of the Central Zoo premises in Jawalakhel. Participants present included senior government officials, heads of conservation institutions, community leaders, conservation educators, advocates and media persons.
WED poster inauguration by the MOFE Hon. Minister Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato and Secretary Dr. Rewati Raman Poudel
FOZ students at the World Environment Day rally
FOZ students at the World Environment Day rally
FOZ students at the World Environment Day rally
FOZ students at the World Environment Day rally
FOZ students after the World Environment Day rally
FOZ students perform at the main stage event
FOZ students perform at the main stage event
FOZ students perform at the main stage event
FOZ students perform at the main stage event
FOZ students perform at the main stage event
Prize distribution by the MOFE Minister Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato to interschool FOZ competition winners
Prize distribution by the MOFE Minister Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato to interschool FOZ competition winners
Prize distribution by the MOFE Minister Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato to interschool FOZ competition winners
Prize distribution by the MOFE Minister Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato to interschool FOZ competition winners
Prize distribution by the MOFE Minister Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato to interschool FOZ competition winners
At the dais (left to right), NTNC Chairman Dr. Krishna P. Oli, Lalitpur Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor Ms. Manjali Shakya Bajracharya, Lalitpur Chief District Officer Mr. Rudra Prasad Pandit, and Chure Terai-Madhesh Board member Ms. Kamala Oli Shiwakoti
At the dais (right to left), MOFE Secretary Dr. Rewati Raman Poudel, NTNC Member Secretary Mr. Sharad Chandra Adhikari, DNPWC Director General Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, and DFSC Director General Mr. Devesh Mani Tripathi
Friends-of-Zoo (FOZ) coordinator Mr. Indra Raj Bhattarai addressing the event
NTNC Member Secretary Mr. Sharad Chandra Adhikari addressing the event
Lalitpur Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor Ms. Manjali Shakya Bajracharya addressing the event
MOFE Secretary Dr. Rewati Raman Poudel addressing the event
NTNC Chairman Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli addressing the event
Hon. Minister Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato addressing the event
An important part of the stage event were the prize distributions made by the Hon. MOFE Minister to the winners of various interschool competition categories held among FOZ schools leading up to the main environment day celebrations.
NTNC Chairman Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli and Member Secretary Sharad Chandra Adhikari, including FOZ coordinator Mr. Indra Raj Bhattarai also made addresses calling to action improved efforts and best practices to combat plastic pollution and promote environment-friendly alternatives.
Calls were made for building government capacity and investments, civic sensibilities, together with individual responsibility and choices required to play a collective part in the response against plastic pollution and to ensure a clean, green and sustainable future for all.
NTNC-Central Zoo's Friends-of-Zoo network, which spans across more than 200 schools in Kathmandu Valley, in partnership with schools and municipalities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, has campaigned strongly against unsustainable plastic use since almost one-and-a-half decade. It continues to do so through education, activism, art and partnerships for nature-based solutions.
** For press note in Nepali see attachment.
