Kathmandu, April 5

German Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Barbara Hendricks has appreciated Nepal’s community forestry model and said Nepal could proudly share its expertise.

Praising Nepal’s rich biodiversity, Hendricks further said Nepal had competitive advantage in the sector of wildlife conservation and climate resilient skills for mountainous countries.

At a press meet in Kathmandu today, the Minister also said Germany was eager to support a Himalayan Regional Conference on Soil Conservation in Kathmandu this year.Hendricks had led a German delegation on a four-day visit to Nepal from April 2 to 5. Concluding her visit to Nepal, she left for Bhutan today.

Stating that the current year would see general elections in Germany, Hendricks expressed hope that Nepal’s local election would help deepen democracy at the grassroots.

“As a German minister, I would not say how Nepal should organise elections, but I would urge Nepali citizens to go out and vote in the elections,” she added.

While in Nepal, she held separate meetings with Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Shankar Bhandari and Minister for Environment Jaya Dev Joshi. She also visited Patan Durbar square and appreciated the restoration of the damaged world heritage site during the earthquakes of April 2015.

During the meeting, Minister Bhandari requested German support for Nepal’s candidacy in the United Nations Human Rights Council, to which the German minister replied she would personally advocate in favour of Nepal. She committed to try to convince the concerned ministry in Germany as soon as she was back. Bhandari also raised the point of possible cooperation in developing football in Nepal.

The German side requested Nepal to become a signatory of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species. Nepal has already signed the Asian treaty on the protection of migratory birds and animals.

With Environment Minister Joshi, issues related to climate change and its impact on the livelihood of people were discussed. Emphasis was given to the necessity of the two countries to work together to develop smart technologies for farmers.

Hendricks also visited Kalchebesi Resilient Mountain Village in Patlekhet VDC of Kavre and praised a completely organic model village and farming with the involvement of communities there.

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• German Minister Hendricks on four-day official visit to Nepal