WWF Nepal and World Cyclist Foundation to promote the Green Hiker campaign

WWF Nepal joined hands with Mr. Pushkar Shah, a world cyclist and leader of the World Cyclist Foundation, in order to promote responsible tourism in Nepal’s Himalayas as part of WWF’s Green Hiker Campaign.  

Minister for  Culture, Tourism and Civil Avaition, Mr. Ram Kumar Shrestha
handing over the bicycle to Mr. Pushkar Shah

Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr Ram Kumar Shrestha, handed over a bicycle supported by WWF Nepal to Mr. Shah at a ceremony in the capital today. Mr. Shah is presently undertaking an ambitious cycling expedition across Nepal’s Great Himalayan Trail to promote tourism in the region, in particular cycling, which would in effect help enhance the livelihoods of the local people. Through his expedition, WWF Nepal seeks to promote the message of responsible tourism in the Himalayas.

Mr. Pushkar Shah, a world cyclist and leader of the
World Cyclist Foundation

“The personal drive and initiative of Mr. Shah is indeed commendable,” said Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Authority. “I will try my level best to ensure that his work is recognized by the government and that his endeavors are duly supported so that he can carry on in his unique mission of spreading world peace and now, environmental protection,” he added. 

Mr. Shah has been travelling the world on his bicycle for the past 15 years spreading the message of world peace.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Shah said, “I will in the best possible way help spread the message of the Green Hiker Campaign and responsible tourism wherever I go. I thank WWF Nepal for the support provided to me. WWF is probably the only organization that has come forward to help.”

“WWF Nepal sees a strong connect between tourism and conservation, and the Himalayas which is Nepal’s biggest tourist attraction is also one of the hardest hit in terms of climate change,” stated Dr. Ghana S. Gurung, Conservation Programme Director of WWF Nepal. “The Green Hiker campaign and this partnership with Mr. Pushkar Shah seek to create greater environmental awareness so that people can enjoy nature while ensuring that its purity is protected,” he added.

Nepal Tourism Board in partnership with WWF Nepal launched the Green Hiker campaign in May 2011 on the occasion of the 4th International Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) Day. The campaign is part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations to promote responsible tourism in Nepal.

For further information, contact: 
Simrika Sharma Marasini

Senior Communications Officer, WWF Nepal

Email: simrika.sharma@wwfnepal.org