Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has called for greater collaboration in preserving Nepal’s rivers, urging all stakeholders to take the issue seriously.

Inaugurating the Photo Nepal Exhibition, organized by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) today, Minister Pandey emphasized that infrastructure development must not compromise the natural beauty of rivers. He officially opened the exhibition by unveiling a photograph titled "Karnali River: Photos of Three Countries", captured by photographer Nabin Baral.

“The conservation of Nepal’s major rivers, including the Karnali, and preventing illegal extraction of river-based materials are critical issues. Activities such as crusher industries and hydropower projects near riverbanks are disrupting the natural flow of water, which must be addressed urgently,” he stated.

The minister also voiced concern over the growing effects of climate change, highlighting the dwindling snowfall in the Annapurna Base Camp and other mountain regions. “Unchecked exploitation of natural resources by developed countries is accelerating climate change, impacting everything from the Himalayas to the world’s coastlines,” he remarked.

NTB Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi described Photo Nepal as an innovative initiative to promote Nepal’s tourism through photography. The two-day exhibition features a special series titled "Karnali River: Photographs of Three Countries (China, Nepal, and India)", documenting a 1,080-kilometer journey over 45 days.

According to NTB, the exhibition showcases the breathtaking beauty of the Karnali River, aiming to raise global awareness about its conservation while promoting Nepal’s natural heritage.