WWF Nepal marks 33rd anniversary, honours conservation champions

KATHMANDU: WWF Nepal marked its 33rd anniversary in Kathmandu on Tuesday, celebrating three decades of conservation work and honouring frontline conservation champions. The ceremony also saw the launch of the organisation’s Strategic Plan 2027-2030.

At the ceremony, chief guest Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment (MoAFE), and Dr Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal, jointly lit the Panas to open the event. In his opening remarks, Dr Gurung recounted WWF Nepal’s journey since its establishment in 1993 and reiterated the organisation’s commitment to protecting the country’s biodiversity while promoting sustainable development.

“As we celebrate 33 years of WWF Nepal, we honour what has been achieved and also the people and partnerships that make conservation possible,” said Dr Gurung. “The challenges ahead demand renewed innovation, collaboration, and courage. WWF Nepal remains committed to working alongside communities and partners under the leadership of the Government of Nepal to secure a future where both people and nature thrive.”

Among the highlights was the presentation of 10 memorial scholarships to students pursuing higher education in conservation-related fields. The scholarships are awarded under five categories established in memory of conservation heroes who died in the 2006 helicopter accident. Since 2007, WWF Nepal has awarded 151 memorial scholarships.

The Chandra Gurung Memorial Fellowship went to Dharmendra Budthapa of Jumla and Norgin Blon of Makawanpur. The Jillian Bowling Schlaepfer Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Amir Chaudhary of Bardiya and Anushka Sapkota of Ilam. The Jennifer Headley Memorial Scholarship was presented to Garima Chaudhary of Surkhet and Bhim Maya Nepali of Bardiya. The Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship was given to Laxman Bohara and Riddhi Rokaya of Dolpa district, and the Nepal Conservation Memorial Scholarship to Pramin Kumar Tharu and Sushmita Tharu of Bardiya district. Diplomatic representatives from France, the European Union and Finland, together with members of WWF Nepal’s advisory board, presented the awards.

WWF Nepal also officially launched its Strategic Plan 2027-2030 at the event, following completion of the Integrated Strategic Plan 2022-2026. In a presentation, Dr Kanchan Thapa, Deputy Conservation Program Director at WWF Nepal, outlined the new framework, which emphasises climate resilience, biodiversity protection, sustainable livelihoods, youth engagement and innovative partnerships.

The Conservation Awards 2026 recognised three individuals for their contributions to conservation. Manju Mahatara was honoured for grassroots leadership near Bardiya National Park and her work on human-wildlife coexistence and environmental education. Suman Sapkota received recognition for pioneering wildlife research and mentorship focused on threatened and understudied species. Meanwhile, the late Om Prakash Mahato was honoured posthumously for his stand against illegal riverbed mining in Dhanusha; his parents accepted the award and a minute’s silence was observed in his memory.

In recognition of long-standing collaboration, WWF Nepal presented a special token to the Nepali Army for 50 years of partnership in wildlife conservation, acknowledging its role in protecting protected areas, endangered species and critical habitats.

The event concluded with closing remarks from MoAFE Secretary Sharma. “Nepal’s conservation success has always been rooted in partnership. As we reflect on 33 years of WWF Nepal’s remarkable journey, I commend its enduring collaboration with government institutions, communities, conservation professionals, and development partners in building a future where people and nature thrive together,” he said.

Ambassadors, development partners, conservation leaders, government officials, members of civil society, youth scholars and WWF Nepal supporters attended the anniversary event.