Late Gurung's 'Caring for the Annapurna' launched

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 5: A book titled 'Caring for the Annapurna' by the late conservationist Dr. Chandra Prasad Gurung was launched at an event in the capital recently. 

A visionary conservationist from Sikles of Kaski, the late Gurung was widely acclaimed for his innovative approach to conservation, which placed local communities at the forefront of environmental stewardship. The book is a personal account of the late Gurung on how the Annapurna conservation area came into existence. It reminisces the awe-inspiring account of extensive field consultations in Ghandruk, Chhomorang, Jomsom, Ghami, Lomangthan and Manang in 1985 as a part of feasibility study. The book also suggests that any conservation model should address the needs of the local community.

Gurung and 23 other conservationists died in a helicopter crash at Ghunsa of Taplejung on  September 23, 2006. Late Gurung was the director of the World Wildlife Fund for Nepal. 

Legislator Man Bahadur Gurung, Ex Vice-chancellor of the Nepal Academy  Dr. Jag Man Gurung, Dr. Sumitra Manandhar Gurung and Country Representative of WWF Nepal Dr. Ghanashyam Gurung jointly released the book. Legislator Gurung found that Dr. Gurung was a charismatic conservationist who had extraordinary communication skills to engage the local community in conservation activitis. 

Vice Chancellor of the Nepal Academy Gurung hailed Chandra Gurung Conservation Foundation (CGCF) for bringing out the book. "This book is a reincarnation of Chandra in a new form as per the Buddhist philosophy," he asserted.  He also suggested translating the book into Nepali for the benefit of Nepali readers. Likewise, Dr. Ghanashayam Gurung lauded the teamwork of Dr. Chandra and Minga Norbu Sherpa in nature conservation. "Their teamwork was immense," he said, "WWF Nepal is always committed to providing support to the mission of nature conservation and spreading Chandra's legacy."   Writer and forester Dr. Roshan Sherchan shared a few stories from the book followed by a video message from friends living abroad. 

Dr. Hum Bahadur Gurung shared the background of the publication of the book.

At the function, botanists Dr.  Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti and Dr. Rita Ale were felicitated.  Raskoti and Ale dedicated the new species of orchid they found in Lauribinayak, Rasuwa in honour of the eminent conservationist Dr. Chandra Prasad Gurung as Neottia chandrae.  

The CGCF also displayed a video made by CGCF Mentees-2024.