This year’s World Environment Day celebrations, which was organized at the NTNC-Central Zoo, saw the coming together of elected leaders and policy makers, students, educators and nature lovers, under the theme “Our Land Our Future”.
The event was headlined with an award distribution ceremony, with more than 100 students and teachers being awarded various categories of prizes, for efforts promoting environmental awareness and action.
Gracing the event as chief guest was the Minister for Forests and Environment Hon. Mr. Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, the event chair NTNC Chairperson Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, taking the dais together with the Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mr. Chiribabu Maharjan and the Officiating Secretary of Ministry of Forests and Environment Mr. Pradip Kumar Koirala.
Other special guests on stage were the Director General of the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, who was also accompanied by the first Director General of DNPWC Mr. Bishwa Nath Upreti, Chairperson of President Chure Terai-Madhesh Conservation Development Board Dr. Kiran Paudyal, along with the Officiating Member Secretary of NTNC Dr. Naresh Subedi, who made the welcome address.
During the event, winners of different categories of competitions organized by the Central Zoo in the past several months were awarded with recognitions. A special performance from the winner of the inter-school drama competition finals, held earlier on June 03, was among the day's highlights.
Observing the occasion, Mr. Prabhu SJB Rana and Raji Rajya Laxmi Rana Trust handed over a cheque of NRs 1 million to the zoo, which is made to support the chimpanzee pair under the Central Zoo’s ‘Adopt-an-Animal’ programme.
Chief guest Hon. Minister Mr. Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi highlighted the importance of environmental conservation and ecological restoration for sustainable development. The minister congratulated NTNC’s efforts, shedding light on the importance of building conservation awareness and public initiative.
Mayor of Lalitpur Mr. Chiribabu Maharjan expressed his continuous support to the Central Zoo, citing its importance as a special space for public education and engagement, social and cultural values.
MoFE Acting Secreatry Mr. Pradip Kumar Koirala spoke about the collective role of all stakeholders in promoting environmental issues, acknowledging NTNC’s initiative in promoting partnerships, collaborations, and public outreach.
Chairperson of NTNC Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli highlighted on the current science and research evidences of the natural world, citing new challenges from climate change on species-level evolution. Noting the awareness-raising responsibility of all stakeholders involved, he also emphasized on the importance of the occasion for coming to terms with environmental issues better and engaging in their potential solutions for the future.
