Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need for coordination and facilitation among the agencies working in the nature conservation sector.
Addressing the 40th anniversary function of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) here today, he said a lot has to be done in the biodiversity conservation and climate change field. The PM also viewed that Nepal and the Nepalis can reap much benefit from this.
Stating that the fascinating Himalayan mountain range, the geographical and cultural diversity from the Tarai to the Mountainous region, and the wildlife and birds found there are nature's embellishments, he expressed the belief that this nature's bounty and biodiversity could be an important basis for development of tourism and achieving prosperity.
Also the NTNC patron, the Prime Minister said Nepal has achieved significant success in protecting the tiger and this has sent out a positive message in the international community. "Nepal had made an international commitment to double the tiger population from 121 in 2010 to 250, and the country has made immense success in this. We have increased the number of tigers, now it is necessary for us to seek the unlimited possibilities amidst the increasing human-wildlife conflict in recent days," he said.
Reiterating that nature and biodiversity conservation are directly related to the country's sustainable development, PM Deuba directed the bodies concerned to formulate concrete and result-oriented programmes on this topic.
"NTNC has been successful in adopting new practices by carrying out community-based conservation initiatives. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project model is world-famous in the management of the conservation areas," he said, lauding the NCO's contribution to promoting conservation based on public participation in management of the conservation areas and to the study and research on wildlife conservation as being world-renowned.
The Head-of-Government also on the occasion stressed on the need of increasing the area covered by the protected area from the present 23.39 percent of the total area of Nepal.
Stating that contribution made by NTNC in the management of the Central Zoo is worth recalling in its history, and that works are under way to retain the Central Zoo as the center for conservation studies while developing Suryabinayak of Bhaktapur as an international-standard zoological park, he directed the related bodies to vigorously work to that end.
He said in the context when the Trust has already entered into the climate finance mechanism and achieved recognition as the Green Climate Fund, it has been convenient to introduce projects for the country's climate adaptation and mitigation.
On the occasion, Lalitpur metropolis mayor Chiribabu Maharjan said the role of Trust in nature conservation, and the promotion of wildlife and biological diversities was significant and stressed the need of making efforts of nature conservation more effective in coordination with other interrelated bodies.
Former Minister Deepak Gyawali, Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Dr Pem Narayan Kandel, Trust Chair Dr Krishna Prasad Acharya and member-secretary Sharad Adhikari said Nepal's achievements in nature conservation were exemplary for the world community. He spoke of the need of implementing an advanced approach in the conservation of nature and biological diversities in the days to come.
The Trust was established in 1982 as an autonomous and not-for-profit organization with the mandate to work in the area of nature conservation in Nepal.
The Trust observed its anniversary with the slogan of ' four decades for conservation: a glorious history and the way ahead'.
On the occasion, Bishwanath Upreti was honored with the Trust's conservation award carrying a purse of Rs 125,000 in recognition of his contribution to the conservation of nature, forest and wildlife.
He received the award from the Prime Minister. The Trust also honored various personalities and bodies for their contribution to wildlife conservation.
NTNC, established in 1982 by a Legislative Act, is an autonomous and not-for-profit organization mandated to work in the field of nature conservation in Nepal. Over the past three decades, NTNC has successfully undertaken more than three hundred small and large projects on nature and biodiversity conservation, clean energy and climate change, as well as cultural heritage protection, ecotourism, and sustainable development through active engagement of local communities.
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