The Upper Karnali Landscape is the largest continuous non-protected area in Nepal, covering an area of about 6000 sq. km. It is remote and rich in biodiversity, providing an important basis for the rural economy. Agriculture is subsistence-based and supported by livestock husbandry since only 1% of the total land is suitable for farming. As a result, local communities are highly dependent on biodiversity for their livelihoods and income generation.
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Rinzin Lama is internationally acclaimed Conservationist from the Humla district of Nepal. He has a BSc in Forestry from the Tribhuvan University, Institute of Forestry Pokhara Campus and a Master’s degree in International Nature Conservation from the University of Göttingen, Germany, and Lincoln University, New Zealand. Currently, he is working as a Conservation Biologist at the Third Pole Conservancy, the NGO established to promote science-based conservation of wildlife and its habitat in Nepal Himalaya. Since 2014, Rinzin has been actively involved in research and conservation of high-altitude wildlife in Nepal and has published many peer-reviewed articles. In 2020, he was awarded the WWF Nepal Conservation Award, and in 2021 he was awarded the prestigious Rolex Award for Enterprise 2021 in recognition of his effort for biodiversity conservation in Nepal’s Trans-Himalaya. He was also listed as one of Time’s Next Generation Leader 2022. Rinzin loves reading books, listen to music and watch cartoons in his free time.
rinzinplama@gmail.com
Lhundup Lama is from the Kermi village in upper Humla. He has a BSc in Environmental Science from Xavier International College, Kathmandu. He has been involved with UKALI since its inception and is responsible for overseeing the project’s conservation education, field research, and conservation activities. When he is not working, Lhundup enjoys watching football and is a big supporter of FC Barcelona. In his free time, he loves to create art and sketches.
Abinash Lama is a highly decorated documentary filmmaker and a photographer, with a passion for nature conservation and coexistence. Abinash is passionate about nature and its conservation with sheer compassion for ecosophy and co-existence. Inspired by both contemporary and conventional elements of Humla, Abinash aspires to showcase the social and natural aspects of hidden Himalayan landscapes to the rest of the world. His previous roles include teaching, photojournalism, freelancing, and travel guiding, with a deep commitment to wilderness exploration and awareness-building among social structures. Abinash is responsible for UKALI’s outreach content production including podcast, radio program, education and awareness videos, social media contents and more.
Urgyan is from a Burunse village in Humla district and holds a BSc in Agriculture Plant Science from Nepal Polytechnic Institute, Chitwan. She is an enthusiastic, self-motivated, responsible, and hardworking person. She joined Project UKALI in late 2022 as a Livelihood and Enterprise officer. She is responsible for research and development of livelihood enterprises focused on income generation. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and outdoor hiking.
Funjok Lama is from a Burunse village in Humla district. He completed BBS from Nepalgunj Multiple Campus and has a decade long experience working in the Non-profit sector. Being one of the first to join UKALI, he oversees the project administration Funjok is the first person to join UKALI and oversees project administration and operation based in Simikot. In his free time, he loves to work in the farm and hike in the forest.
Sonam N. Lama Born in Bargaun-Humla, amidst the Himalayas. He is one of the most passionate and qualified young tourism professional that we have in Nepal today. He knows Mountains well and trekked almost every where in Nepal including the Great Himalaya trails West Section (Humla-Mugu-Dolpo-Mustang) Sonam has completed advance mountaineering and ice climbing training from Khumbu Climbing Center. He is also one of the 1st guide in Nepal to have completed ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association) guide training in Nepal. He has climber Mera Peak and Island peak in a week time. Sonam brings wealth of experience in the team and helps with field expedition planning, logistic arrangements and mountain safety protocols.
Tashi R Ghale, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer, and conservationist, has devoted over two decades to wildlife and landscape photography, monitoring, and conservation. Renowned for his exceptional work, Tashi holds the record of being the sole individual in Nepal to have photographed elusive snow leopards in their natural habitat on more than 40 occasions. His extensive journeys through the Nepalese highlands have provided invaluable insights into the lives of snow leopards and other mountain wildlife. Tashi's unwavering passion and dedication have been instrumental in species discovery and conservation efforts. In 2013, Tashi confirmed the presence of Pallas's cat in Nepal, which was declared a new cat species for Nepal in 2014. Tashi and his team achieved a remarkable milestone by confirming the return of the wolf to his native region of Manang after more than four decades of local extinction. Tashi's contributions extend beyond the field, as he has collaborated on numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles. He is one of the contributors to the book "Searching for the Snow Leopard." His tireless effort continues to shape our understanding of wildlife and pave the way for conservation initiatives globally.