Ecological Literature Award announced

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 9: An eco-literature award carrying a purse of Rs. 100,000 has been established in memory of Prem Kumari Hitan, the mother of writer Bijay Hitan.

The award, titled 'Prem Kumari Hitan: Parya Sahitya Award,' was announced during an Ecological Literature Symposium organised by the Nepali Ecological Literature Foundation in the capital on the occasion of the 11th Environment Day. It was also announced that the award will be presented for the first time at the 12th Ecological Literature Symposium to be held in 2084 BS.

Delivering the keynote speech, Dr. Archana Thapa shed light on contemporary environmental challenges and the role of literature in addressing them. 

Similarly, Prof. Dr. Sudha Tripathi spoke on the interrelationship between the environment, literature, and contemporary society.

Prof. Dr. Govind Raj Bhattarai stated that literature can play a significant role in raising awareness about global challenges such as environmental degradation and climate change. "Such symposiums contribute to the development of Nepali environmental literature and foster new critical discourses in the field," he noted.

On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Ramesh Prasad Bhattarai, Usha Sherchan, Raju Ubarkoti, Sita Tumkhewa, Jyoti Jungle, and Ash Bahadur Tamang recited eco-feminist poems.

The event also witnessed the launch of Dhartiko Geet–2 (Song of the Earth–2), an ecological song penned by Khem Prasain and Devendra Paudel, composed by Mahesh Khadka, and sung by Prayusha Neupane. 

Moreover, participants were briefed on the history of the Nepali Ecological Literature Foundation and its contribution to the promotion of ecological literature in Nepal.

A major highlight of the event was the launch of two publications: Harit Hastakshar (Green Signatures), an anthology of eco-feminist poems, and Paryabaraniya Samalochana ra Nepali Kavita (Ecological Criticism: Theory and Nepali Poetry), authored by Dr. Geeta Tripathi. Dr. Ashok Thapa presented a critical review of Dr. Tripathi’s book, while Assistant Professor Rajin Paneru and Neila Rai shared their views on Harit Hastakshar.