Seven wetlands named before noted conservationists' names

Different seven ponds of Lumbini area – the birthplace of Gautam Buddha – were named on the occasion of the World Wetland Day. 

Vice-chairperson of Lumbini Development Trust, monk Metteya shared that the wetlands were named before the names of noted nature conservationists. Shedding light on the tripartite relationships among water, wetland and life, he said the seven wetlands were named in the memory of prominent conservationists of Nepal. 

According to him, the wetlands were named before the names of the late Dr Harka Gurung, Dr Chandra Gurung, Dr Mingma Narbu Sherpa, Harisharan Nepali Kaji, Dr Tirthaman Maskey, Dr George Orchiworld and Dr Dhana Gurung. 

Currently Dr Ghanashyam Gurung is serving the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal as the director while Harka, Chandra, Tirtha, Narbu, Harisharan and George had lost their lives in a chopper crash that took place in Taplejung district some 14 years ago. 

On the occasion, Lumbini Province Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Leela Giri pledged to move ahead with clear plan for the conservation of nature. 

Minister Giri further said that the Lumbini Province has put its planned efforts for nature conservation and bio-diversity. 

Also speaking on the occasion, Lumbini Bouddha University's Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Hridaya Ratna Bajracharya expressed the University's readiness to collaborate with the province government for the preservation of Sarus Crane and wetlands – that are closely linked with Buddha philosophy. 

WWF Nepal director Dr Ghanashyam Gurung said it was spectacular to name the wetlands in the memory of noted conservationists for the conservation of wetland and nature.