Chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, Chaired the first meeting of the seventeen member Zoo Development Committee meeting today. The committee comprises committed conservationists and experts in the area of bio-diversity conservation. The committee also includes HE Ms. Sandy Vogelgesang, the American Ambassador to Nepal, HE Mr. L.B. Smith, the British ambassador to Nepal , HE Mrs. Annmarre O'Keefe, the Australian Ambassador and also Mr. Egbert Pelinck, Director General of ICIMOD.
Addressing the committee, His Royal Highness stated that "the major consideration which persuaded the King Mahendra Trust to undertake this responsibility was the possibilities the Zoo provided in further expanding our wildlife research and conservation education activities. Wildlife research and conservation education, if I may add has been the most important part of KMTNC's biodiversity conservation efforts over the past decade.". His Royal Highness further added " successful conservation programs often require detailed knowledge of species ecology, reproductive biology, behavior, nutrition and disease. Consequently, Zoos around the world have invested extensively in scientific research to develop effective methods of captive propagation and animal care as well as to help preserve threatened species and their habitats in nature".
The committee was briefed on the current status and changes made after KMTNC's management. The committee was also briefed on the master-plan designed by a team of experts for the development of the Zoo. The plan envisages in developing the zoo into a center for conservation education, research and entertainment.
It may be recalled that His Majesty's Government handed over the management of the Central Zoo to the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation on 29th, December, 1995.
Project Director KMTNC/ Central Zoo 18 November, 1996
His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Patron of King
Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC), was presented an address of felicitations by
His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, Chairman of
KMTNC, at a function organized by the Trust, on June 5, 1996 to celebrate the auspicious
occasion of the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's accession to the throne as well
as to mark the World Environment Day.
His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, delivering the address, expressed deep gratitude on behalf of all those working in conservation and natural resources management for His Majesty's contribution towards the protection of the fragile ecosystem of the country over the past twenty-five years.
His Royal Highness mentioned in his address that it was the result of His Majesty's well-thought-out initiative that species that were on the brink of extinction in the early seventies were back to a sustainable population. His Majesty's foresight was instrumental in the establishment of KMTNC as a non- governmental and non-profit organization.
His Royal Highness further mentioned that " the unwise application of human intelligence is in itself a great polluter. Of all hues and colors that go to make up the national spectrum, being green is not being far-left or far-right, but being far-sighted."
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and other members of the Royal Family, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, the Chief Justice, the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Chairman of the Rajparishad Standing Committee, ministers, heads of constitutional bodies, high-ranking government officials and heads of diplomatic missions were present on the occasion. Environmentalists, academicians, journalists and other distinguished guests were also present.
His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, Chairman of KMTNC, presided over a consultation meeting of the European Chapters of KMTNC on July 3, 1996 in London. The participants of the meeting were representatives of the British Chapter led by Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, the French Chapter led by Mons. Gerad Baumont, the German Chapter led by Prof. Gunther Nogge and the Netherlands Chapter led by Hon. Barbara J. Wilbrink. The Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mr. Surya Prasad Shrestha, was also present at the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the ongoing programs of the Trust and deliberated on the coordination and long-term strategic planning of KMTNC. The meeting was followed by a reception hosted by the Royal Nepalese Ambassador in honor of His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah and Her Royal Highness Princess Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah. Eminent environmentalists were present on the occasion.
On July 1, 1996, His Royal Highness also visited the London Zoo and had fruitful discussions with the Director General, Mr. Richard Burge. Sir John Chapple, the former president of the London Zoological Society, was also present.
The seventeenth meeting of the Governing Board of Trustees of KMTNC was held on June 12, 1996 under the august chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah in Kathmandu.