The delegation visited between 25 and 31 July and engaged with academic institutions, wildlife research centers, minister and senior government officials across Oslo, Oppdal, and Stor-Elvdal Municipality.
Key highlights included site visits to the Wild Reindeer Center and Arctic Fox Breeding Center, a seminar at the University of Inland Norway (INN) showcasing the outcomes of a five-year NORPART-funded academic exchange programme, and high-level meetings with Norwegian ministries.
Discussions emphasized expanding collaborative research, enhancing student and expert exchange programmes, and securing diversified support for Nepal’s conservation initiatives. The visit reaffirmed mutual commitment to ecological stewardship and laid the foundation for long-term partnership in nature conservation and institutional strengthening.
After arrival in Oslo, there was a field visit to Oppdal and the Wild Reindeer Center, accompanied by Professor Morten Odden from INN and National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) Member Secretary Dr. Naresh Subedi.
The Center’s authorities delivered an insightful lecture on the ecology and management of wild reindeer in Norway. Discussions focused on habitat conservation, population monitoring and community engagement strategies.
The Hon. Minister also visited the Arctic Fox Breeding Center, managed by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) under commission from the Norwegian Environment Agency. The center has played a pivotal role in restoring the arctic fox population in the wild.
The delegation was impressed by the scientific rigor and conservation success of the captive breeding program.
The Arctic fox, classified as Endangered in Norway, faced near extinction in Scandinavia by 2000, with only 40–60 adults remaining. In response, a captive breeding facility was established in 2005 at Sæterfjellet, near Oppdal.
Managed by Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) under the Norwegian Environment Agency, the programme collaborates with the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate (SNO) and local conservation authorities to monitor and support wild populations.
A half-day seminar was then hosted by INN to showcase collaborative achievements and explore future academic partnerships. In total nineteen delegates representatives from NTNC, INN including mayor of Stor-Elvdal and students participated in the seminar at Evenstad campus.
Professor Morten Odden presented outcomes of the NORPART-funded project, jointly implemented by NTNC, INN, and Kathmandu University over the past five years.
Key achievements include:
- Exchange of 30 Norwegian and 15 Nepali students.
- Initiation of 3 PhD programmes, all led by Nepali scholars.
- Development of a new master’s programme in conservation science.
In the seminar, Dr. Naresh Subedi delivered a comprehensive presentation on NTNC’s mission, achievements, and future priorities. Dr. Madhu Chetri, share the learnings of community based conservation in Nepal.
The Hon. Minister emphasized the importance of expanding academic exchange and capacity-building initiatives.
The seminar was attended by professors, international coordinators, INN rectorate, and the Mayor of Stor-Elvdal Municipality.
On 29 July, a meeting was held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Climate and the Environment in Oslo.
Her Excellency Ms. Stine Renate Håheim, Deputy Minister/State Secretary to Minister of International Development along with delegates from Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Trym Oust Sonstad, Deputy Director (Section for South Asia and Afghanistan) and delegate from Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment were present in the meeting.
During the meeting, Dr. Naresh Subedi, emphasizes the need for long term collaboration to tackle the effects of climate change and capacity building through exchange program. He also emphasizes long term support that Norway has provided in capacity building and in energy sectors.
Furthermore, the Nepal community-based conservation programme was very successful and NTNC is the organisation who has initiated the integrated conservation and development programme in Nepal and this has become instrumental to support the livelihood of the communities. This needs to be strengthened in future.
The delegation held high-level discussions with officials from both ministries. The Hon. Minister of Forests and Environment/ NTNC Member Secretary advocated for enhanced collaboration in conservation and capacity building. Norwegian delegates expressed strong support and appreciation for Nepal’s conservation efforts, committing to explore expanded funding and technical cooperation.
The delegation concluded the visit by exploring the cultural and historical sites located in Oslo, such as the Opera House, Vigilance Parking and Nobel Peace Center.
This visit stands as a pivotal moment in advancing Nepal-Norway conservation diplomacy.
The immersive field experiences at the wild reindeer center and arctic fox breeding facility offered valuable insights into Norway’s management of two ecologically and culturally significant species, while highlighting pressing challenges such as disease outbreaks, infrastructure expansion, and climate change.
The engagements with the ministerial and academic intuition deepened mutual appreciation for Nepal’s conservation achievements and reaffirmed shared commitments to biodiversity conservation.
Building on past and ongoing capacity-building efforts, this exchange has laid a strong foundation for further strengthening collaboration between the two counties in education, capacity building, ecological research and biodiversity conservation.