Tourism-related associations and stakeholders jointly organized a tree plantation programme at Dhangadhi Airport on the occasion of the 47th World Tourism Day 2026, highlighting the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable tourism. The programme was organized under the theme “Clean Environment, Green Tourism and Sustainable Tourism, Our Shared Commitment.”
Tourism Minister Inaugurates Plantation Programme
Sudurpashchim Province Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Prakash Rawal inaugurated the programme by planting a tree at the airport premises. The initiative brought together representatives from tourism associations, the private sector, government agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to promote environmental responsibility alongside tourism development.
Tourism Sector Representatives Participate
The programme was attended by Puspa Raj Kunwar, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Sudurpashchim; Padam Bikram Singh, President of NATTA Sudurpashchim Province; Prakash Chandra Bhatta, President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Sudurpashchim Province; and Keshav Datta Pandey, President of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association Kailali. Maya Prakash Bhatta, Founding President of NATTA Sudurpashchim, also participated in the programme along with representatives and stakeholders from the tourism sector.
Officials including Dirgha Narayan Koirala, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment; Dabal Bahadur Bohora, Chief of the Tourism Development Programme Implementation Unit; Mahendra Bahadur Singh, Chief of Dhangadhi Airport; Buddha Ram Majhi, Dhangadhi Station Chief of Buddha Air; and Gajendra Shahi, Dhangadhi Station Chief of Shree Airlines, were also present.
Focus on Green and Sustainable Tourism
Alongside the tree plantation, participants emphasized the need to give equal priority to tourism promotion and environmental conservation. They highlighted that a clean, green environment is a key foundation for sustainable tourism development and stressed the need to integrate environmental protection into tourism-related programmes and activities. Participants also discussed the role of tourism stakeholders in maintaining environmental sustainability while expanding tourism activities in Sudurpashchim.
Joint Commitment to Environmental Conservation
According to the organizers, the programme aimed to strengthen the connection between tourism and environmental conservation while demonstrating a collective commitment to sustainable tourism development. The event was jointly organized by NATTA Sudurpashchim Province, Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Sudurpashchim Province, and Hotel Entrepreneurs Association Kailali.
In addition to tree plantation, the programme included discussions on environmental awareness and sustainable tourism development, providing tourism stakeholders with an opportunity to highlight the importance of responsible and environmentally conscious tourism practices.
