Kathmandu, August 8

Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management today marked its 43rd anniversary and Soil Conservation Day with the slogan ‘Watershed in federal Nepal, basis for Sustainable Development.’

The department also honored soil conservationists, staff, journalists and user groups.

Speaking at the programme, member of National Planning Commission Dr Prabhu Budhathoki stressed the need to conserve soil, saying it takes 500 years to create an inch of topsoil. Director General at the department Bijaya Raj Paudyal urged all those honoured to continue to work for soil conservation.

At the programme, THT journo Pramod Kumar Tandan was feted by the department for contributing to soil conservation through journalism.

Fourteen journalists, 10 user groups, five retired staff and 22 chief accountants of district offices were felicitated.