By Our Reporter
The Nepal Water Conservation Foundation (NWCF) organised its 92nd Pani Satsang and the National Savior of Natural Resources 2026 Honouring Ceremony at the Russian House in Kathmandu on Monday, August 17.
The programme opened with a panel discussion focusing on the protection and sustainable utilisation of Nepal’s natural resources in relation to the country’s economic development. Representatives from the National Planning Commission, the Institute of Forestry at Tribhuvan University and other experts participated in the discussion.
The highlight of the event was the posthumous conferment of the National Savior of Natural Resources 2026 award on the family of the late Om Prakash “Dilip” Mahato, a young environmental activist from Dhanusha who had stood firmly against the illegal extraction of sand and gravel from local rivers.
Mahato was killed on 25 Poush 2076 BS while attempting to stop a tipper truck reportedly involved in illegal riverbed extraction. Former Water Resources Minister Dipak Gyawali recalled Mahato’s courage and contribution to environmental protection.
Former Chief Justice, Prakash Man Singh Raut, who attended the ceremony as chief guest, presented the award to Mahato’s father, Ram Jiwan Mahato Koiri. Accepting the honour, Koiri expressed gratitude to the organisers and paid tribute to his late son.
Anastasia Khokhlova, Director of the Russian House in Kathmandu, welcomed the participants on behalf of the institution. She emphasised that safeguarding water resources and the environment is a shared responsibility that transcends national boundaries.
Khokhlova noted that water security and climate change are global concerns affecting Nepal, Russia and countries across the world. She stressed the need for stronger international cooperation and collective efforts to address these challenges.
“The experience of Nepal, Russia and countries around the world reminds us that sustainable development is impossible without protecting nature and taking into account the interests of future generations,” she said.
In his address, Chief Guest Raut highlighted the importance of responsible governance and the rule of law in conserving natural resources. He said the life and sacrifice of Dilip Mahato serve as a lasting reminder that protecting nature can demand extraordinary courage and, at times, comes at a tremendous personal cost that society must never forget.
The Savior of National Resources Award (also called the National Resource Protector Award or National Resource Guardian Honor) was established by water resources expert Ratna Sansar Shrestha in memory of his late parents, Badri Lakshmi Shrestha and Ratna Bahadur Shrestha.
Shrestha established the award to honour individuals who make outstanding contributions to the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of Nepal’s natural resources and water assets.
The award carries cash prize of NPR 100,000, a plaque, and a traditional dosalla (shawl).
In the past, Bhubanesh Kumar Pradhan, former water resources secretary and scholar, honored for over five decades of service to Nepal’s water sector; Hari Man Shrestha, recognized posthumously for highlighting the vital importance of national water resources and Hut Ram Vaidya, recognized posthumously as a pioneering activist for Bagmati civilization conservation were honoured with the same award.
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