Date: June 5, 2025
Organizer: Shikharapur Community Learning Center (CLC)
Overview:
Shikharapur Community Learning Center (SCLC), located in Dakshinkali Municipality, is a dynamic, community-based organization dedicated to promoting inclusive education, sustainable development, and social transformation through grassroots engagement. Since its establishment, SCLC has played a vital role in empowering local communities through lifelong learning, skill-based training, and environmental advocacy. As a long-standing and trusted partner of ONGD-FNEL Luxembourg, SCLC has successfully implemented various development initiatives that prioritize education, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
Currently, SCLC is implementing a comprehensive project funded by the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Biodiversity (MECB) Luxembourg through ONGD-FNEL, which began in 2024. The project emphasizes four key pillars: Climate Action, Sustainable Agriculture, Continuing Education, and Entrepreneurship—critical areas that align with both local needs and global priorities. These efforts contribute directly to enhancing climate resilience, improving livelihoods, and fostering environmental stewardship in the region.
On World Environment Day 2025, SCLC marked the occasion through meaningful local action, reflecting its strong commitment to raising awareness and promoting behavioral change around pressing environmental challenges. The event not only echoed global environmental concerns but also rooted its relevance in the local context, demonstrating the Center’s role as a catalyst for sustainable community-driven change.
Program Highlights:
In collaboration with Rukmini Foundation, Shikharapur Campus, and with generous support from Ward No. 9, Dakshinkali Municipality, the program included a cleaning campaign at the historic Old Dakshinkali Temple premises and the scenic Bhundole hiking trail. This effort was further supported by intern students from Thames International College, Kathmandu. Students of college, open school and participants from different ongoing trainings participated the cleaning campaign.
Importance of the Day:
World Environment Day is far more than a symbolic celebration—it is a powerful call to action that urges individuals, communities, and institutions to reflect on their roles in protecting the planet. It serves as a vital reminder of our collective responsibility to confront the escalating threats of climate change, curb plastic pollution, and safeguard the rich yet fragile natural heritage of Nepal. In a country like Nepal, where ecosystems range from the Himalayas to fertile valleys, and where biodiversity is both abundant and at risk, the stakes are particularly high. Environmental degradation, deforestation, and unmanaged tourism are rapidly endangering these natural resources. Therefore, initiatives like the ones led by Shikharapur Community Learning Center are not just relevant—they are essential. By fostering awareness, encouraging behavioral change, and mobilizing local stakeholders, such programs help transform awareness into meaningful community-level action. In doing so, they lay the foundation for a more informed, resilient, and sustainable Nepal.
Essence and Future Direction:
This year’s event emphasized that real environmental change is only possible through strong collaboration among local communities, youth, government bodies, and civil society organizations. The day sparked deeper reflection on the need to shift mindsets and engage more people in sustainable practices.
As a follow-up, Shikharapur CLC and its partners have committed to planning long-term environmental activities in partnership with the local government, aiming for a more resilient and eco-friendly Nepal.
Conclusion:
World Environment Day 2025 was a meaningful step forward, reaffirming our commitment to climate responsibility and sustainable development. With continued collaboration, we hope to build a greener, cleaner future for generations to come.
The mountain region where we organized the cleaning campaign holds immense cultural, religious, and ecological significance, encompassing renowned sites like Asura Cave, ancient monasteries, the Old Dakshinkali Temple, and popular trails such as Bhundole, Champadevi, and Bhaleshwor. With hundreds of visitors frequenting the area for hiking, camping, and recreation, unmanaged waste has become a growing concern. Moreover, the region has recently experienced deadly landslides, severely impacting lower villages like Sundole in Talku. These alarming developments highlight the urgent need for climate education, behavioral change, and collective responsibility. While the ward office has invested significantly in tourism development, sensitizing both locals and visitors remains a critical gap. In this context, the environmental campaign led by Shikharapur CLC stands as a timely and necessary action. It is a signature effort that must be recognized and replicated by all stakeholders before it is too late to effectively respond to the mounting climate crisis.
Niroj Shrestha,
Director, SCLC