Yesterday as I spent a few hours on the back of a motorbike, speeding to the next part of a project, I thought of a conversation of a few years ago. It was during an illegal wildlife trade investigation in northern Thailand and it went along the lines of "wildlife protection isn't a twenty four hour, seven day a week job, it's more than that"...the whole point being there aren't enough hours in the day, it's not a lifestyle, it's a life...
I spent the afternoon with two men who are testament to that thinking. Chitwan National Park Chief Warden Kamal Jung Kunwar (left) is a legend in anti-poaching circles, his book "Four Years for the Rhino" won international acclaim. Sitting next to KJK is WildTiger's Hemant Acharya who is carving his own reputation, his work as an anti-poaching leader and the mobilization of community in the conservation sector follows in his late father's footsteps.
As time goes by I'll bring more about the personalities involved in various projects here, their stories are compelling in a country which has challenges unique on our planet. One of the motivations for WildTiger to be involved in the building of schools is the chance to give conservation the profile it needs if this nation is to prosper.
Men like KJK and Hemant devote their lives to wildlife protection. My hope is that we can convince more to follow suit here. In the places that are have been reduced to rubble by an earthquake we will unearth a thinking and passion for environmental issues, to build schools is to build minds... we need strong minds to carry Nepal forward with a view to maintaining and even improving a landscape with unmatched biodiversity, for the good of all.
It requires total dedication...
