Chaudhary Group’s MD Nirvana Chaudhary Spotlights Nepal’s climate change challenges on the global stage

KATHMANDU: Nirvana Chaudhary, the Managing Director of Chaudhary Group and a young entrepreneur, has highlighted Nepal as a less developed country facing the consequences of climate change for the first time on the global stage.

Participating as a representative of the private sector of Nepal at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Chaudhary emphasized the negative effects of climate change, which have become a daily challenge for Nepal.

He mentioned that while developed countries are contributing to exacerbating the impacts by exploiting the situation, it is crucial for developed nations to collaborate and work with shared agendas to reduce the adverse effects.

Addressing various panels in the important agenda of the world discussed at the forum, Chaudhary, the Managing Director of Chaudhary Group, participated alone on behalf of the private sector of Nepal.

Speaking in the session titled ‘Alpine Economics at 2C’ under the forum; the young entrepreneur highlighted the increasing impact of climate change on Nepal, especially in the Himalayan and mountainous regions, making it a significant global challenge. He emphasized that addressing climate change is currently the main global challenge and advocated for global collaboration.

“We are experiencing the consequences of climate change. When I looked towards the northern part of the country from Kathmandu a few years ago, I could observe the glaciers throughout the year. However, now, when I look towards the north, my eyes witness a changed scenario. The glaciers I couldn’t see in my childhood have reduced. This not only saddens me but also raises concerns about the future generations,” he expressed.

Chaudhary, who is renowned in the global forum, stated, “Nepal is affected by the adverse effects of climate change. We rely on the flow of our Himalayan Rivers. The Himalayan region is extremely cold, and the Terai region is excessively hot. In the future, not only will there be problems with water flow necessary for agriculture and hydropower, but also issues related to drinking water will arise due to the reduction in glaciers.”

In the forum, where prominent political, business, and cultural figures globally convened, Chaudhary underscored the pivotal involvement of international organizations in addressing climate change.

He proposed that with ample data, knowledge, information, and support, these organizations can significantly contribute to mitigating the climate crisis.

Emphasizing this point, he advocated for the creation of a platform dedicated to resolving climate issues, particularly focusing on Himalayan communities. Furthermore, Chaudhary urged for cooperative initiatives spearheaded by corporate and philanthropic entities to tackle the challenges faced by Himalayan communities.

Under the forum’s agenda, including Alpine Economics at ‌Plus 2C, Climate Action, and Future of Manufacturing, Chaudhary actively participated, providing insights and expressing his commitment.

The Chairman and Member of Parliament of Chaudhary Group, Binod Chaudhary, had participated in the World Economic Forum more than three decades ago in 1995, where he was honored with the title of ‘Global Leader for Tomorrow.’
Taking part in a forum of this magnitude and representing Nepal’s private sector to a global audience is a unique privilege, according to Nirvana Chaudhary.

As a young entrepreneur, he is acknowledged as a catalyst for ushering in new transformations and providing progressive leadership in Nepal. In 2021, the World Economic Forum honored him with the title of ‘Young Global Leader (YGL).’