KATHMANDU, April 11: The Literary Journalists Association honored Balkrishna Basnet, the chairman of the Press Council Nepal, with the title of ‘Himdamaru’ amid a program on Thursday.
The Association honored Basnet for his active engagement in conducting various studies from the journalism sector on mountainous region, environmental conservation, and the impact of climate change. He has also contributed to the protection of mountains for 25 years and produced a documentary on the impact of climate change on mountainous regions.
Suggestions to give priority to Dalit issues in media
Senior writer Rochak Ghimire, senior artist Madandash Shrestha, Mount Everest climber Temba Tsheri Sherpa along with others honored Basnet with a shawl, garlands and a certificate.
During the program, Basnet highlighted that journalism should be focused more on the mountains and the environment, as Earth can be saved only by protecting them.
He urged relevant authorities to address the serious issue of reduced snowfall in Nepal's mountainous regions due to climate change, which has led to significant damage to mountain tourism. "The survival of the mountains is crucial not only for water resources but also for the preservation of our environment and tourism sector. Tourists visit Nepal to witness its majestic mountains. Therefore, it is imperative that we work towards their conservation," he stated.
Basnet mentioned that prosperity does not only entail building roads and buildings, but also protecting the nation's heritage, language, culture, way of life, and attire. “People from all across the globe come to visit Nepal to witness its lakes, forests, and mountains. However, the fact is, we ourselves have not recognized our country’s beauty. This behavior should be discouraged, and the journalist community should play a proactive role in promoting this awareness," he added.
