The 10th Environmental Literature Synopsis was successfully held along with a book launch and essay award ceremony at the Nepal Academy, Kamaladi, on Saturday. The event was organized by the Nepali Eco Literature Foundation in collaboration with Sahityapost, aiming to promote environmental literature in Nepal.
The program was chaired by Sahityapost’s Editor-in-Chief Ashwini Koirala and was graced by eminent Prof. Dr. Abhi Subedi as the chief guest. Notable attendees included Prof. Dr. Govinda Raj Bhattarai, the patron of the foundation; literary figures Gyan Bahadur Kshetri and Prem Kumari Hitan; and Foundation President and environmental activist Bijay Hitan, among others.
The event commenced with the playing of the environmental song “Dharti Ko Geet”, featuring lyrics by Khem Prasad Poudel and Devendra Poudel, music by Mahesh Khadka, and vocals by Deepak Limbu and Rozina Basnet.
The program also announced and honored the winners of the foundation’s first-ever environmental essay competition. Bhawani Khatiwada’s essay “Pralayako Aandhibehari” was declared the winner, receiving a cash prize of NPR 50,000. Haribol Kafle’s “Prakritipratiko Prem, Karuna ra Utsaaha Kina?” and Govinda Gopal Khatri’s “Vikas Praptiko Shrinkhala ra Paschatapko Punarbodh” won second and third place respectively, receiving NPR 40,000 and NPR 30,000, along with certificates of recognition.
The foundation received 108 submissions for the competition. From these, 32 essays were selected and compiled into a book titled Pratham Nepali Parya Nibanda Sangraha (The First Nepali Environmental Essay Collection), which was launched during the event. All featured contributors were awarded NPR 2,000 and certificates of appreciation.
Reviewing the essay collection, Dr. Ashok Thapa noted that the anthology includes voices from diverse ethnic and age groups. He highlighted shared themes such as critique of anthropocentric worldviews, industrialization, and the tension between development and nature. He also emphasized the book’s academic value, particularly at a time when universities lack reference materials in Nepali eco-literature.
In his goodwill message, Tulsi Bhattarai stressed that protecting the environment is essential for safeguarding the Earth. Assamese writer Gyan Bahadur Kshetri remarked that writing literature entails bearing responsibility and encouraged writers to stay aware of global literary trends, not just local issues.
Chief guest Prof. Dr. Abhi Subedi stated that environmental literature must transcend mere emotional expression. He credited Prof. Dr. Govinda Raj Bhattarai for pioneering the introduction of environmental literature into the Nepali literary sphere.
The program also featured the launch of Bijaya Hitan’s environmental poetry collection Malai Aryaghat Lagera Najalanu (“Don’t Take Me to Aryaghat for Cremation”). Literary critic Geeta Tripathi praised the collection for intertwining themes of love and environmental awareness. She emphasized that poets must remain conscious of their expressions, warning that lack of awareness could lead to emotional dissonance. She also encouraged reading the poems through an eco-feminist lens.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Dr. Govinda Raj Bhattarai stated that Nepali literature is undergoing a historic transformation and regarded the essay collection as a “landmark” in the field of environmental writing. He emphasized that eco-literature is an “international movement” and lauded Bijay Hitan’s active involvement. “Merely emotional expressions are not enough,” he said, “eco-literature must be supported by scientific evidence.”
Chief Editor Ashwini Koirala concluded the event by extending a vote of thanks to the audience.
The event was jointly moderated by Bijaya Hitan and Bhawesh Bhumari.
