Posted on May, 16 2013

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

Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr Ram Kumar Shrestha, handed over a bicycle supported by WWF Nepal to Mr. Pushkar Shah amidst a ceremony in the capital today. Mr. Shah is presently undertaking an ambitious cycling expedition across Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trail to promote tourism in the region with cycling being an avenue to attract more tourists in the region and, in effect, address the livelihoods of people. Through his expedition, WWF Nepal seeks to promote the message of responsible tourism in the Himalayas.

“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 in his bicycle for the past fifteen years spreading the message of world peace.

Speaking at the program, 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 Program 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 pristineness 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.

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