Sustainability and Resilience in Nepal

Environmental Studies Lecture Series 

Sustainability and Resilience in Nepal - Krishna Gurung

 Founder of KRMEF Krishna Gurung presenting works done by the organization at Keene State College on Tuesday, January 31, 2018

Nepal is a developing country in Asia, populated by 27 million people representing 93 ethnicities and languages. It is considered a country of the Himalayas, of temples, and of cultures. However, because of rapid modernization, unsustainable urbanization, industrialization, and development, Nepal is facing many different challenges at present, including pollution, poverty, unemployment, and disease. Thus, with the view of sustainable community development in Nepal, the Kevin Rohan Memorial Eco Foundation (KRMEF) was introduced by Krishna Gurung in 2008. On Tuesday, January 31, 2018, Gurung visited Keene State College and talked about sustainability and eco-friendly programs that have been introduced in Nepal by the organization.  

The talk opened my eyes to many methods of sustainable living and saving the environment. Part of the ‘Recycle and Reuse' method for sustainable living the organization has introduced includes making bottle houses. After the devastating earthquake of April 2015, the organization has been actively working for the rehabilitation of earthquake victims by building houses out of recycled beverage bottles. This was the most interesting part of the program. I personally love the idea of recycling and reusing materials as it is very new in Nepal, and I believe it can eliminate 50 percent of the country's land pollution.  

KRMEF also has other programs to promote sustainable living and community development, including an organic café, a community school, and Bio-dynamic and organic farming, which I am very fascinated by. I believe that these agricultural programs if introduced to all of Nepal, can solve the problem of unemployment occupational relocation overseas. Thus, I recommend KREMF expand their organic farming and other agricultural programs.