Miss Nepal crowned WWF conservation ambassador

Kathmandu, Nepal – WWF Nepal has appointed Sitashma Chand, Miss Nepal 2007, as the organization’s conservation ambassador.

As conservation ambassador, Sitashma will play an important role in encouraging rural and urban youth to get involved with conservation, particularly freshwater and climate change issues effecting Nepal. During her tenure, she will visit WWF project areas and local communities.

“WWF Nepal is delighted to forge an alliance with Ms Chand,” said Anil Manandhar, WWF Nepal’s Country Representative. “We hope this alliance will benefit the conservation cause in Nepal.”

WWF Nepal started the conservation ambassador programme in 2004. The “ambassadors” have proved to be a valuable asset to the organization in disseminating important conservation messages throughout the country.

In 2006, Sugarika KC, a former Miss Nepal and WWF’s second conservation ambassador, encouraged urban Nepali youth in Kathmandu on a popular radio show to be proactive on conservation issues. She also took part in a WWF-supported theatre programme in Chitwan National Park, home to endangered greater one-horned rhinoceroses.

The newly appointed Chand is also looking forward to partaking in WWF activities.

“I will first do an internship at WWF to orient myself with various wildlife and conservation issues,” Sitashma said. “Then I will contribute the best I can to making an honest effort [to conservation].”

Sitashma Chand will also represent Nepal in this year’s Miss World contest, which will be held in China on 1 December 2007.