Nature Personified: Prakriti Dhakal

With her name itself translating to nature, Prakriti Dhakal carries an immense love for the environment. Having been inspired by her father from a very young age, Prakriti is someone who takes inspiration from the unknown heroes who get no recognition but are doing so much for the environment. She wants nothing more than for people to step up and own their mistakes and to stop polluting the environment.

The turning point

Prakriti had been heavily influenced by the activities in her school. Even in the 5th or 6th standard, when she used to participate in the cleanup campaigns that her school organized, she felt that it was making a difference. Her father played a huge role in making her so passionate about the environment too. She says she was most inspired by him because he always emphasized on giving back to the environment. "The moment of revelation happened when I realized my birthday falls on the World Environment Day. That made me feel like i was made for it". She says.

The way forward:

When Prakriti applied to Glocal Teen Hero, she used to perform local level dramas to raise awareness about pollution and how to reduce it. She might not have gotten through the first time,but she didn't lose hope.

She says her she wanted to bring a change as to how people treated the environment so she was doing her best from local level. I first took part because my seniors encouraged me to do so and the more I learnt about Glocal Teen Hero, the more i realized it was a great platform to bring my voice forward, Prakriti says.After she made it into Glocal's 20under20, she says she was able to gain the exposure she required to make sure her ideas were heard. She also says Glocal Teen Hero opened up the door for numerous opportunities.

Works and activities:

Prakriti has been participant in various debate, policy level and delegations. The biggest achievement that I think I've accomplished is the Tunza World Hidden Eco Hero award in 2016, where people of over  countries come to participate. I didn't have much hope that I'd win, but I won by a really wide margin. I think that's something that will stick with me for a long time. She says. Currently she has a Window Dustbin project going on, which is where she makes a report every time someone throws garbage from the buses plying on the Pokhara-Chitwan route. It is sad to see so many "educated" individuals acting so recklessly. she shares.

Prakriti believes that one can only change if they change their moral compass. No one can bring a difference in your life unless you want them to. I feel really happy when I educate someone on how to care for the environment, and they will teach others. I feel like that's my biggest responsibility. To make sure people are helping mother Earth.' She says.

I want to be the kind of leader who doesn't have followers. Instead, I want to be the kind of leader who inspires others to become leaders themselves.

After the recognition:

Prakriti says that after Glocal Teen Hero she now has been even more active in programs related to environment conservation. After Glocal Teen Hero, i feel like i've been able to influence even more people to stop littering, and just being more considerate towards the environment in general. One way i feel like i've succeeded is when i see the Pokhara-Chitwan route cleaner now, after my Winter Dustbin project. she says.

Prakriti shares an incident with us. Whenever I see people throwing hajmola packets on the ground, I throw them in the dustbin. Before I used to tell them not to do so but i got a lot of backlash for trying to help. So now I've developed a mindset that I won't speak but I'll show it to them. She feels as if her responsibility towards the environment has skyrocketed after her participation in Glocal Teen Hero.

Future plans:

Currently, Prakriti is doing her bachelors in radiology. She says her passion has always been saving the environment so she plans to get a Masters degree in global health and work under WHO. When I was doing my research, I realized that more than 85% of diseases are because of environmental hazards. I want to work with WHO and help reduce this statistic. she says.

Prakriti Dhakal is someone who is hardworking and determined to stop at nothing to accomplish her goals. She wants nothing more than for people to love the hand that feeds them. ?The thing you need to remember is that you are the only person who is capable of bringing about a change in your life. So you should always make sure your moral compass is always pointing in the right direction.