The China-Nepal Snow Leopard Knowledge Exchange and Capacity-Building Workshop officially commenced yesterday at the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) central office in Kathmandu. The event was inaugurated by the Minister for Forests and Environment and Chairperson of NTNC, Hon’ble Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, alongside prominent conservation leaders, government representatives, and international experts.
This three-day workshop brings together snow leopard researchers from Nepal and China to exchange scientific knowledge, practices, and policies concerning snow leopard conservation. The program emphasizes fostering transboundary partnerships to protect the endangered species and its habitat.
Organized collaboratively by NTNC and Peking University’s Center for Nature and Society, the workshop receives vital support from China’s Tencent Foundation, The Amity Foundation, and Shanshui Conservation Center. Additional support has been extended by Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Environment and the Chinese Embassy in Nepal.
Highlighting the significance of the event, Hon’ble Minister Thakuri stated, “Collaborative efforts like this are crucial for conserving snow leopards, a species emblematic of our mountain ecosystems and transboundary heritage.”
As the workshop progresses, participants will delve into critical topics such as habitat protection, research methodologies, and policy development to strengthen conservation practices across borders.
This initiative underscores the growing importance of regional collaboration in addressing shared environmental challenges, with the snow leopard serving as a flagship species for global conservation efforts.