THE SMALL EARTH NEPAL

The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) has been implementing the Floating Treatment Wetlands System (FTWS) project at Nagdaha, Lalitpur with the funding support from the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN). Since the beginning, the project engaged local communities and stakeholders in its activities. SEN celebrated World Wetlands Day 2024 at Nagdaha, Lalitpur in close coordination with Lalitpur Metropolitan City Ward No. 24. Highlighting the theme of this year’s Wetlands Day “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing” the program emphasized wetlands’ significance and fostered awareness amongst local school students and community members through presentation and documentary shows. Interactive quiz sessions amongst the participants enhanced their knowledge and awareness on the importance of wetlands and their conservation. Ward representatives and community members shared the local stories and myths of the Nagdaha and Akhidaha, a lake closeby Nagdaha.

In addition, an art competition was conducted amongst the school students to improve their understanding of wetlands and their interconnectedness with the environment, biodiversity, society, culture and human well-being. Students were provided with necessary instruction for the drawing by the lead instructor from SEN. All the arts were equally competitive and the top three were selected and awarded with the prize. All the students received certificates for their active participation in the art competition. 

The program concluded with the inauguration of the FTWS project board at Nagdaha by Mr. Hari Krishna Maharjan and Mr. Mahesh Giri representatives from the Ward office, Dr. Madan Lall Shrestha, Scientific Planning Group (SPG) Member, APN and Academician Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga, President, SEN and Mr. Bhawani Dongol, Executive Director, SEN. The project board contained important information about Nagdaha and the FTWS project. The participants of the program realized that local actions are of utmost importance in conserving our wetlands.