On 30th of Mangsir, 2081 (December 15, 2024), the esteemed Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Mr. Dipak Kharal, along with the esteemed Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Sindhu Dhungana, visited Lwang Village, the Lwang office of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), and the surrounding tea gardens in the Machapuchhre Municipality, Ward No. 8.
During their visit, they were warmly welcomed by various local leaders, including Ward Chairperson Mr. Ram Bahadur Gurung from Machapuchhre Municipality, Mr. Om Prasad Gurung, Chairperson of the Lwang Conservation Area Management Committee (covering Wards 8 and 9), Mr. Bijuli Prasad Gurung, Committee Member, and Ms. Sumitra Gurung, Chairperson of the Lwang Community Homestay, along with Secretary Mr. Sujan Gurung.
At the occasion, the local leaders brought attention to the existing legal issues and challenges in the conservation area. They requested the esteemed Secretary to initiate the revision of the Conservation Area Management Regulations, 2053, and the 2056 Directives to address these issues effectively.
In response, Secretary Mr. Dipak Kharal assured the local representatives that efforts would be made to review and amend the regulations and directives to facilitate the proper management and conservation of the area. The visit highlighted the collaborative effort between the Ministry and local communities in ensuring the sustainable management of the Annapurna Conservation Area.
