Between July 25 to July 30, a delegation led by the Minister for Forests and Environment, who is also the Chairperson of NTNC, Hon. Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, made a visit to Norway.
Made at the invitation of the University of Inland Norway, with whom NTNC has in place an MoU for exchange and collaboration, the visit was undertaken to strengthen cooperation in conservation, research, and capacity building initiatives between the two countries.
In the visiting delegation were NTNC’s Member-Secretary Dr. Naresh Subedi and Program Manager Dr. Madhu Chetri. The minister was also accompanied by his spouse and personal secretary.
Over the course of six days, the Nepali delegation engaged with academic institutions, wildlife research centers, Norwegian ministers and senior government officials in Oslo, Oppdal, and Stor-Elvdal Municipality.
Key highlights from the visit included -- site visits to the Wild Reindeer Center and Arctic Fox Breeding Center, a seminar at the University of Inland Norway showcasing the outcomes of the five-year NORPART-funded academic exchange program, high-level meetings with Norwegian ministries on expanding collaborative research, enhancing student and expert exchange programs, and securing diversified support for Nepal’s conservation initiatives.
Building on past and ongoing efforts, the visit is meant to course a roadmap for long-term commitment and partnership in nature conservation and institutional strengthening between Nepal and Norway.
• Wild Reindeer & Arctic Fox Centers visit to learn about Norway’s wildlife management strategies of two ecologically and culturally significant species, highlighting pressing challenges such as disease outbreaks, including successful arctic fox restoration efforts led by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).
• Academic seminar at University of Inland Norway: Reviewed achievements of the NORPART project—45 student exchanges, 3 ongoing PhDs, and a new Master’s program; emphasis put on expanding research and capacity-building collaboration.
• Ministerial-level meetings with Norway’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Climate and Environment, and International Development. Deliberations were undertaken for aligning conservation priorities and resources better between the two countries, securing diversified support for Nepal’s initiatives, along with exploring long-term project opportunities to strengthen Nepal’s conservation efforts through sustained partnership.
Photos:
Hon. Minster & NTNC Chairperson with Her Excellency Ms. Stine Renate Håheim, Deputy Minister/State Secretary to the Minister of International Development in Oslo.
Hon. Minster & NTNC Chairperson with Mayor Linda Otnes Henriksen of Stor-Elvdal.
Hon. Minster & NTNC Chairperson with Stor-Elvdal Municipality Mayor and Norway Inland University faculty at Evenstad.
Visit and briefing at the wildlife reindeer center.
Observation of the arctic fox captive breeding center.
An artic fox observed at the breeding center.
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