This article is posted by Ronald Magomo from Zimbabwe who is my Peer Adviosr on the platform of Youthlead on the title of "World Environment Day 2020: A Day To Honor Environmentalists and Eco Heroines and Heroes like Kushal Naharki From Nepal " including my activities. 

You can this article available at: https://www.youthlead.org/events/world-environment-day-2020-day-honor-environmentalists-and-eco-heroines-and-heroes-kushal-naharki-nepal

The year 2020 has marked the beginning of a decade of action before the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Agenda 2030. Building on the work that young people began in 2019 who include the likes of Greta Thunberg a Swedish Environmentalist who gained International recognition for promoting the view that humanity is facing an existential crisis as a result of climate change. This has brought to the spotlight the dire need for urgent action to be taken towards the protection of the environment.

With the World Environment Day coming on Friday 5 June 2020 with the theme around Biodiversity and with the UN Environment Program (UNEP) announcing that Colombia will host the World Environment Day 2020 in partnership with Germany, the Youth have a huge role to play to achieve a much cleaner and greener environment. The World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on the 5th of June every year, and is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

“The consequences of failing to sensibly and effectively manage the environment are profound and far-reaching”- Antonio Guterres (2017). The sentiments by the current UN Secretary General, clearly note the critical role that must be played in action to protect the environment and the Youth being the majority of the World’s population have a role to play. With the World’s Youth population (15-24 years) standing at 1.2 billion and further growth being anticipated for the nearest future, the investments in youth must be targeted at enabling the Youth to adopt sustainable methods for environmental protection while being environmental champions.

A number of Youth from across the World are engaging in critical activities towards ensuring the protection of the environment and contributing to the achievement of SDGs 6, 13, 11 and 14. As the countdown to World Environment Day on Friday 5 June 2020, such young people must be honored and celebrated. One such Young person, an Eco-Hero is Kushal Naharki, a young changemaker from Nepal who is passionate about empowering youth & communities through knowledge sharing, trainings, events and campaigns and has been actively contributing in the field of Environment, Agriculture and Youth Empowerment. 

Being the Winner of Hidden Eco Hero Award winner in 2018 to being selected among 22 global young changemakers, he has inspired the young generations for environment education and sustainable future. Kushal Naharki has led, organized and participated in various eco-activities, which are inspiring, impactful and awareness generating. He has been working for the awareness and empowerment of children, youth and farmers in the environmental related issues.

His Activities:

• Led YouthLead Ambassador Social Issue Campaign on “Covid 19 and Environment”  

• Was Co-chair in the UNEP committee in Pokhara Model United Nation 2020 held between 13-15th February on the agenda” Impact of Eco Tourism on Sustainability”

• Emcee as "Asian Agriculture Summit and Exhibition 2019" held on August 11-13 in Kathmandu to revitalize youth agro-entrepreneurship in Asia.

• Being Secretary General of "Lamjung Model United Nation 2019" with discussion on global issues among 80 participants from different parts of Nepal and visit to Kaulepani Homestay.

• Participated in "Everest International Model United Nation 2018 and 2019" sharing knowledge, ideas with 200 participants of over 20 countries.

• Participated in Thinkers' Convention 2018 and 2019

• Organized a Twitter Chat on the Occasion of the 2020 World Wetland Day on 2 February 

• Visited Sustainable and Eco Tourism Spots of Nepal like Siurung, GhaleGaun, KaulePani, Rainaskot, Amaltari, Pokhara

• Participated in “Community based Agriculture Outreach Program” at Parewa Danda Lamjung and “Knowledge Replication and Integration for Sustainable Agriculture and Community” at Udipur, Lamjung

• Researched on “Efficacy of botanicals and plant essential oil in black bean aphid in lab condition and perception of farmers on use of botanicals”

• Organized "Creative Challenge" on World Environment Day 2019 to share the creative ideas of youth to beat air pollution.

• Held the "Afforestation Campaign" in sundarbazar, Lamjung with plantation of more than 50 trees in Todkeshor region.

• Did an Awareness video on "Beat Air Pollution" and “No Food Wastage”

• Model United Nations on the topic of impacts of Genetically Modified Organism at Lamjung Campus and various schools of Lamjung district

• Social media awareness campaign on “Beat Plastic Pollution” on social media on Environment day and “Panel Discussion on safe spaces for youths” on International Youth Day through Youth Thinkers’ Society Lamjung

• “The Science of Climate Change”Awareness campaign on climate change in Nirmal Higher Secondary School

• Coordinator of “Let’s Hear Our Farmer” which is an online campaign to collect and share stories of the farmers and promote agriculture.

• Afforestation Program and enumeration of biodiversity at Lamjung campus through IAAS Nepal LC Lamjungon world Biodiversity Day 2018

• Participated in “Lamjung Climate Convergence 2017”

• Blog, Articles and stories related to climate change, environment education and agriculture.

His Campaigns

• “Sustainable Environment Campaign”: Awarding children for conscious family and responsible nation with Eco Quiz, Awareness presentation, Eco Voice of children, Eco Motivation and Eco club formation

• "Small Act Great Impact" Online and Offline Campaign: Sharing the small eco activities that we can do create a great impact on the environment.

• “Go for Green Campaign”: Afforestation, Speech Competition for sustainable environment

• “Eco Fact” and “Eco Dictionary” Series: Online Awareness Campaign

• “The Waste Pocket Campaign” Keep It in Till You Find A Bin- Cleanliness Campaign

• “Gift A Tree This Birthday”: Afforestation Campaign

• “My Waste My Responsibility”: Waste Management Campaign

His current involvement in Organizations

• Regional Ambassador to Asia, Tunza EcoGeneration 

• YouthLead Ambassador, for YouthLead an activity of Youth Power Learning, a project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) implemented by Making Cents International and its partners 

• Program Coordinator, Youth Innovation Network 

• Project Member, Climate educate ATO 

• Advisory Member, Youth Thinkers’ Society Lamjung 

• Local Representative, YPARD Nepal

With a proven track record in mobilizing other young changemakers and youth through their activities, Kushal has worked in several local, national and international organizations. He has led, organized and participated in various eco-activities, which are inspiring, impactful and awareness generating. He believes in bringing innovation and change in his community through efforts that aim to create local eco heroes and heroines in the community with his Eco Workshop Project.

Come Friday 05 June 2020, the World will commemorate World Environment Day (WED) and honor Young people making a change in the area of the environment like Kushal Naharki, an Eco-Hero from Nepal. Together we can protect the Environment for a better future for all!