On the auspicious occasion of International Biodiversity Day-2013, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation celebrated the Biodiversity day in the Forestry Complex, Kathmandu on May 22, 2013. The program was chaired by Secretary of Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Dr. Krishna Chandra Poudel and Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation Mr. Tek Bahadur Gharti Thapa as Chief Guest. The other guests included respectively the Joint Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture Development (MOAD) Mr. Pravakar Pathak, Director of International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) Dr. Yam Bahadur Malla, Representative from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mr. Santosh Nepal, Chairman of Federation of Community Forest User Group (FECOFUN) Nepal Ms. Apsara Chapagain among others. Likewise the invitees included the Division Chiefs of Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Director Generals of Department of Forest, Department of Plant Resource, Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management. Representatives from International and National non government organizations, media personnel from Nepal Television, government officers under the concerned Ministry and Departments were also present during the programme.

The program anchored by Ms. Madhu Devi Ghimire, Under Secretary of Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation began with the National Anthem and speeches from delegates followed afterwards. Director General of Forest and ex-chief of Environment Division Mr. Biswonath Oli delivered a welcome speech and introduced the objective of the Biodiversity Day Celebration.

The program honored the school students who were ranked first, second, third and three consolations in the Inter Community School Essay Competition on the theme of "Water and Biodiversity" with appreciation letter and cash prize. The essay competition was held on May 5, 2025 in the premises of Forestry Complex, Babarmahal. Among the students Aditi Shah from Baisanavi Secondary School from Kritipur 18, who stood first in the essay competition, delivered a short and enthralling speech on Water and Biodiversity.

The other special program included the National Plant Resource Award. This award is provided by Department of Plant Resources to people from government and non-government organizations, officials or individuals for the contribution made under the plant resources, its research and development. This year award has been shared by two people who made special contribution to plant resource sector in Nepal. The award was provided to Ms. Gulab Raj Bhandari on behalf of late Dr. Saman Bahadur Raj Bhandari and Dr. Purusottam Narayan Suwal. Dr. Raj Bhandari flourished the research and development of tissue culture in Nepal and is also an ex-Director General of Department of Plant Resources from 2047 to 2048 BS. Dr. Suwal, an ex-Department head of Plant Resources from 2024 to 2029, also made a significant contribution for the development of Drug Industries in Nepal. The worth of the prize was NRs. 1,00,000.

The program was intertwined with the speech made by the guest from IUCN, WWF, FECOFUN and MOAD. The Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation Mr. Gharti also delivered a speech on the importance of biodiversity Day celebration and aroused the need of unison and mainstreaming all the individuals, organizations, agencies to commonly and together work for the biodiversity day celebration. Reminding the small area of the country and yet a richness in biodiversity, he also put light on its importance in providing the basic needs and a pillar for the development and prosperity and the conservation of the same as most.

The final remark was made by the secretary of Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Dr. Poudel. He delivered the importance and the need to address the various targets called Aichi Biodiversity Targets on the upcoming Nepal Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan which is under revision process. He also emphasized on the development of awareness of people on biodiversity and to mainstream all sectors for the common effort. With his final remark, "Every day must be Biodiversity Day and Biodiversity Business for All", he disclosed the end of the program.

The program ended with photo sessions of students, short-interview of honored peoples and participants on NTV and lastly the refreshment. Thanks to the weather forecast and all the crews who directly and indirectly worked whole heartedly for the success of the program.