President insists on community-based approach to sustain conservation efforts

Kathmandu / Sept 23: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said the responsibility of conserving nature, the earthly gifts, falls upon the shoulders of all people.

Addressing a special ceremony organised by the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, marking the National Conservation Day- 2016, here Friday, the President said, “Nature is life, and to conserve it means to save the life.”

Conservation efforts based on community approach could get sustainability, the President Bhandari said, adding that the Nepal’s constitution has incorporated the provisions that aim at conservation, promotion and utilisation of natural resources.

On the occasion, the Head-of-the-State said it would be real tribute to those veteran wildlife conservationists who had lost their lives to the Ghunsa helicopter crash if we succeeded in materialising their dreams. The helicopter crash occurred a decade ago.

Nepal observes the September 23 every year as the National Conservation Day in the commemoration of the tragic demise of 24 prominent environment conservationists, including then Minister of State for Forest and Soil Conservation, Gopal Rai, in the Ghunsa chopper crash.

On the occasion, Forest Minister Shankar Bhandari said the Ministry had introduced various programmes aimed at promoting nature conservation efforts.

National Conservation Award was presented to Bhojraj Shrestha from Kailali in recognition of his contribution to birds conservation, while various organisations and individuals, having significant role in nature conservation, were also honoured. RSS