Namaste,
I am Doma Paudel, and I take immense pleasure in introducing myself as the first female nature guide in Nepal. Allow me to share a glimpse of my personal journey, which has been marked by challenges, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to nature and wildlife.
Born on October 30th, 1984, I grew up on the fringes of Chitwan National Park, surrounded by the rich biodiversity of Nepal’s natural wonders. I am the eldest of four children in the Paudel family, with my younger siblings being Yubraj Raj (born in 1987), Renuka, and Keshab. Together with my brother Yubraj Raj, we embarked on a vision to establish a leading company in Chitwan.
My pursuit of higher education led me to Shaheed Smriti Multiple Campus. However, our family encountered numerous hardships throughout our journey. In 1993, a massive flood devastated our region, resulting in the loss of our home. We were compelled to seek shelter in government-provided plastic tents. Subsequently, during a period when our dairy farming endeavors were gaining momentum, the country was engulfed in conflict between Maoist rebels and the government. Frequent strikes and curfews disrupted our lives, making it impossible to sell our milk and further challenging our livelihood.
Our struggles did not end there. Our home was repeatedly damaged and pillaged by elephants, our crops were ravaged by wild animals, and a sloth bear even attacked our father. Tragically, in 2004, we lost our mother in a rhino attack while she was gathering fodder in the forest. During these trying times, we found ourselves in poverty, heavily reliant on the resources of the forest.
Following my mother’s passing, I assumed the responsibility of managing our household. Our father, devastated by the loss of his life partner, took many years to heal emotionally. To sustain our family, I began teaching young children at home for a few months, engaged in fieldwork, and performed various tasks such as cleaning, washing, running a restaurant, and managing vegetable farming. However, destiny had other plans in store for us.
I am inherently a social individual, drawn to actively participate in various social programs. When circumstances began to stabilize, I decided to pursue a career in conservation and animal welfare. I dedicated myself to studying nature, delving into the intricacies of diverse flora and fauna, and ultimately achieved my dream of becoming a nature guide. Astonishingly, I later discovered that I was the first female nature guide in Nepal.
Even the tragic loss of my mother to a rhino attack did not deter me from working passionately in the fields of wildlife and nature conservation in Nepal. I became an advocate against poaching and a staunch supporter of wildlife victims. Over the years, I volunteered in numerous Anti-Poaching Youth Awareness programs from 2005 to 2020. I also actively participate in various conservation organizations, including the Nature Guide Association, Bird Education Society, and the Wildlife Victim Fund. Our team and I conduct a multitude of awareness programs on nature, wildlife, and climate change. My dedication and contributions to the field of conservation and animal welfare have been recognized with numerous local and national awards. I also had the privilege to represent Nepal at the Global Green Congress in Dakar and the World Ranger Day event in Sauraha, Nepal.
In pursuit of our dream, we launched our own project in 2017 called the “Wildlife Victim Fund” to support all wildlife victims. We care deeply about both people and animals. While Nepal has garnered international acclaim for its successful efforts in conserving endangered wildlife such as tigers, one-horned rhinos, and elephants, there has also been a rise in fatal accidents, injuries, livestock loss, and damage to houses and crops in local communities. To address these issues, we regularly provide training on animal behavior, safety, and accident prevention to schoolchildren and communities. Additionally, we educate people about the importance of nature and the environment. Our projects encompass a wide range of activities, including skill development training, scholarships for children, first aid training, public awareness programs, consulting and advocacy, support for eco-tourism, safety programs for tourists, organizing events, and serving as a bridge between wildlife victims and the government.
Today, as the proprietor of Nepal Dynamic Eco Tours and a dedicated nature guide, I extend a warm welcome to all of you to visit Chitwan National Park in our beautiful Nepal. Your collaboration and support mean a great deal to us as we continue our mission of conserving nature and protecting wildlife.
Thank you for your kind attention and cooperation.
With gratitude,
Doma Paudel
