WWF Nepal Staff - Sushila Nepali

I have never regretted...

Sushila Nepali has worked for WWF for eight years and is now a Program Officer. Born in the capital Kathmandu, she started studying biology there, but then one of her friends encouraged her to go to forestry school. "No women used to go to forestry school here in Nepal", Sushila says.

"Fortunately one US project encouraged women to go and study there. I am of the second batch of women who did the degree in forestry in Nepal. I kept on working with forestry, and after working in the field my passion got stronger. I have never regretted."

Personally Sushila has always been interested in doing social work, and she also had dreamt of working for conservation. In WWF, she has had an opportunity to combine both interests, for example when preparing the buffer zone management plan of Royal Bardia National Park. “I was thrilled to work on what I had wished for. Not everyones dream come true, but mine did, as I worked in the jungle for almost seven years.”

“Being near to nature and working for conservation takes lots of passion, commitment and patience”, she says. “I enjoy being out among the people in the field, sharing with them and learning from them. That way I can increase my knowledge and serve my country.”

Travelling in remote areas is often very difficult, but Sushila says that if we have a desire to do something, the remoteness and difficulties will not matter.

In addition to her work, Sushila has also continued her academic career: at present, she is doing her PhD at the from Institute of Forestry. Her research subject is the impact of the current conflict on biodiversity and people’s livelihoods.