Himalayan melting documented in photography exhibit amid World Photography Day

Nepal celebrated World Photography Day with a special focus on the pressing issue of climate change. The National Forum of Photo Journalists (NFPJ Nepal) organized a photo exhibition in Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur, showcasing the devastating impact of climate change on the Himalayas.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Tulsi Bahadur Shrestha, Lalitpur’s Chief District Officer, and featured 60 photographs captured by over 40 photojournalists. The images depicted the alarming retreat of glaciers, the formation of glacial lakes, and the subsequent threats to local communities.

Chiri Babu Maharjan, Lalitpur Mayor emphasized the sharp contrast between older and recent photographs of the Himalayas, highlighting the rapid decline of snow cover due to climate change. He urged citizens and policymakers to take immediate action to address this pressing environmental issue.

Pradeep Raj Onta, President of NFPJ Nepal, highlighted the critical role of photography in raising awareness about the environmental crisis. He stressed the need for collective efforts to protect the Himalayan region from the adverse effects of climate change, including forest fires, glacial lake outbursts, and the melting of glaciers.

The exhibition, supported by the Nepal-China Friendship Forum, was attended by prominent figures including Xiao Jiang, Director of China Cultural Center in Nepal; Vijay Shrestha, Vice President of Himalaya Airlines; and former presidents of the National Forum of Photo Journalists (NFPJ) Nepal.