Global honour for Nepal's pioneer adventurer? mountain guide-Dawa Steven Sherpa

Nepali mountain guide and pioneering adventurer Dawa Steven Sherpa (28) has received the first ever WWF International President’s Award for his contribution to conservation of the mountains.

Sherpa got the award during a special ceremony during WWF’s Annual Conference in Rotterdam today.

A professional guide, mountaineer and conservation activist in the Himalayan region, Sherpa heads an adventure trekking company that encourages respect for nature among mountaineers and explorers. He had climbed four eight-thousanders by the age of 24 – including two-time ascent of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak.

The World Wildlife Fund said in a press statement that the award acknowledges and encourages outstanding achievements of young people under the age of 30, who are making strong and compelling contributions to nature conservation around the world.

“It is my great pleasure to present this inaugural WWF International President’s Award to such an inspiring and exceptional young individual as Dawa Steven Sherpa – who has already inspired so many to take action to save the planet,” said Yolanda Kakabadse, WWF International president.

“This award enables WWF to shine a light on brilliant young people, who are working in the field to protect the natural world, and my dearest wish is that it inspires others with the energy and ambition to achieve great heights, too. We desperately need young leaders and pioneers in nature conservation. If anyone can inspire others to do their bit for the planet, it is Dawa Steven Sherpa.”

“Dawa Steven was WWF Nepal’s Climate Ambassador under the ‘Climate For Life’ campaign in 2010 in which he joined hands with legendary mountaineer Apa Sherpa and embarked on an expedition through 10 European cities to raise awareness on the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas,” stated Anil Manandhar, Country Representative of WWF Nepal. “The WWF International President’s Award to Dawa Steven underscores the potential of today’s youth in Nepal to be the change they want to see,” he said. Raised in Kathmandu, Dawa has been organising Eco Everest Expeditions since 2008 – drawing international attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayan people and their environment.

His expeditions use solar cookers, and he has started a ‘cash for trash’ scheme where climbers are paid to bring garbage back down off the mountain. Through the scheme, the expeditions have collected 15,000 kg of waste.

Dawa also works with local youth to inspire and empower them to become active in mountain conservation. Most recently,

Dawa and Apa Shrepa walked a distance of 1,555 km in a span of 99 days across the length of the whole country to understand and raise awareness on climate change and its impacts on the local communities and the environment.

“The WWF International President’s Award will be presented annually, and nominations are invited via WWF offices around the world,” reads the statement.

source: The Himalayan Times,9 May 2012