Nature Expedition Brochure

Natural Expedition and hike program for the students of Kirtipur Municipality


2007

Shree Kumar Maharjan,
Ashoka Forum for Young Social Entrepreneurs (AFYSE) - 2007,
Third Batch
Email: skmah70@hotmail.com,
9841451293

Background
Most of the schools and colleges follow theoretical teaching learning practice. This type of teaching ignores students from the outer world, focusing them in course books only. It is important that the students obtain theoretical knowledge, but it is equally important that they also have knowledge of practical issues.
Our environment, nature and natural resources are indispensable for our life, are deteriorating day by day due to many human interventions. If the trend continues, there will no such invaluable resources within next or two decades, which means the slogans of “HARIYO BAN NEPAL KO DHAN and JAL SAMPADA UNNATI KO ADHAR” will limit only to the books and stories. Though, some organizations are working to aware, conserve and preserve these priceless resources, the problem still remains.
Out of total youth of the country, only 5 to 10% are aware on the nature and its deteriorating trend. The awareness among these youth circles is a necessity for sustainable conservation of nature and its resources. Youth involvement and their contribution in conservation sector are mandatory to stop the existing trend for further worsening.
Awareness to the community people and young generation about wise and rational use of natural resources; conservation and preservation of these resources for the next generation is very much important. Active involvement of them in the conservation sector can revolutionize the present trend of deterioration of these valuable resources.
The existing theoretical teaching practiced in different schools and colleges do not provide environment conservation awareness where the students get chance to interact with the nature. Actual interaction with the nature and surrounding community provides practical oriented learning environment and also allows them to experiment and learn from the nature. The youths require programs which provide them opportunity to get exposed and learn about the nature. Once youths are exposed to such program, they become more involved to the nature and its resources. It is possible to group them together to create a force to help change present deteriorating trend of nature.

Program Outline: Nature Expedition and Hike Program
“Nature Expedition and Hike Program” is a journey of a group (around 15-20) of interested students to the surrounding naturally rich areas, environmentally vulnerable areas, marginal lands and conservation areas with the aim to educate, provide learning, exploration and enjoyment to the youths. After each visit, the students would be asked to prepare visit report and present the report. In this way, the students would be able to enjoy visiting different places, while also learning about the actual situation of the natural areas, vulnerable areas, environmental hazard and prone area and marginal lands.
These programs gear and motivate them toward awareness and conservation of natural resources and community people as well, who are the actual harvesters of such resources. Present trend shows that youths want to visit different natural areas just for fun, picnic and enjoyment. The proposed program will focus on the fun cum education.
The students also get an opportunity to actually see and interact with nature and visualize more clearly all their theoretical knowledge learnt inside the classrooms. The students can also share their knowledge with the community people in the places they visit through different group discussions, interviews, micro workshops etc. This way, both the community and the students benefit from such programs by sharing their own ideas, knowledge, information and experiences.
GOAL:
To motivate a new generation in conservation awareness.

Objective:
1. To aware students, schools, colleges on natural degradation and conservation awareness activities at Kirtipur.
2. To expedite group of student (both schools and colleges) to different natural sites, settings, conservation areas, community forestry and marginal lands.

Details of the programs
Short Duration Expedition Program

1. Phulchowki/ Godawari
Phulchowki (2760 m), broad-leafed-sub tropical forest is the richest for birds and wildlife in the valley and remains the most convenient place to see birds that are rare or local to Nepal. Phulchowki and Godawari forest are internationally famous for the species richness of their flora and fauna, specially butterflies and birds and mammals.

2. Shivapuri (one day trip)
Shivapuri is situated is the youngest National park of the country. It is nearest Protected Area from capital city in the World, consisting natural forest types like pine, oak, rhododendron etc. Almost 311 bird species including 9 threatened species, 102 species of butterflies and 129 species of mushroom. Besides, it is one of the main sources of drinking water for Katmandu valley and trekking routes to Nagarkot, Gosainkunda, Helumbu and Langtang National Park pass through the area.

3. Champadevi, Kirtipur
Champadevi hill is situated in the southern side of the Kathmandu valley. The site is rich in biodiversity. Other possible sites are Puspa Lal Park/ Macchegaun, Chhaimali, Budhanilkantha, Kavre/ Banepa, Tokha, Kakani, Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, and Sundarijal.

Long Duration Expedition Program (5 to 12 days program)

4. Sauraha and Shaktikhor, Chitwan
Chitwan is one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders with first national park covering 932 sq. km, which was gazetted in 1973. UNESCO declared this National Park as a World Heritage Site in 1984. The park is famous for one horned rhinoceros, gaur, Bengal tiger, wild elephant etc.

5. Yangsila, Morang
Yangsila is one of hilly VDCs of Morang district. It is famous of second largest Peepal tree in Asia and direct rainwater harvest from moving cloud. Cardamom (Alainchi), amrisho and maize are major production of the area. Other possible areas are Khotang, Jiri, Dhading, Nuwakot, and Rasuwa.

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