Asia

Asia is my home, the continent where my journey began. I was born and raised in Janakpur, a small yet culturally vibrant city in Nepal. My passion for wildlife and nature deepened as I pursued my Master’s in Zoology, which gave me the opportunity to explore Nepal’s incredible ecological diversity.

Nepal is divided into three distinct geographical regions: the Terai plains, the mid-hills, and the majestic Himalayas. Growing up in the Terai allowed me to connect with grassland and wetland ecosystems from an early age. My education in the hill regions further expanded my understanding of Nepal’s varied habitats, and my professional work often took me to the mountains, where I conducted field research and trekking expeditions. These experiences shaped my deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of people, wildlife, and landscapes across Asia.

In 2017, I embarked on my first international journey to Malaysia to attend a Wildlife Conservation Training program. This experience opened my eyes to the broader Asian conservation landscape. The program brought together participants from across the continent, and it was here that I first understood the shared challenges and opportunities of wildlife conservation in Asia. I made lifelong friends from different Asian countries, each contributing unique perspectives on biodiversity protection.

In 2023, I traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, to attend a workshop on R-programming held at the Knowledge Exchange Center, Thonburi. The trip was not only intellectually enriching but also personally memorable. After the workshop, I enjoyed a serene dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, witnessing the city’s vibrant nightlife and hospitality. Thailand’s friendly environment and well-developed tourism infrastructure make it one of the most comfortable destinations in Asia, a country where tradition and modernity blend beautifully.

India, Nepal’s closest neighbor, shares deep cultural, historical, and ecological ties with my country. The open border allows citizens of both nations to travel freely without a visa, though carrying a national ID is always advisable. In 2025, during my return from a research visit in Zurich, Switzerland, I spent time in Mumbai, exploring India’s financial capital. I hoped to observe the famous migratory flamingos in the city’s wetlands, but unfortunately, they had not yet arrived that season. Still, the visit reminded me of the shared biodiversity between India and Nepal  and how collaboration across borders is essential for species conservation.