WWF Nepal marks Earth Hour 2025 with Bharatpur concert, environmental conservation efforts

KATHMANDU: WWF Nepal marked Earth Hour 2025 by uniting communities across the nation through impactful environmental initiatives. The centrepiece of the movement was an extraordinary event near Chitwan National Park in Bharatpur, where music, culture, and sustainability came together to promote climate awareness and action.

Earth Hour, a global environmental initiative led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), encourages people, businesses, and communities worldwide to switch off non-essential electric lights for one hour, typically from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time. This symbolic act highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and conserving energy. Beyond the lights-out gesture, Earth Hour encompasses a variety of activities, including clean-ups, tree planting, and awareness campaigns, aimed at encouraging collective action for the planet’s sustainability.

A key feature of the Bharatpur event was a star-studded concert showcasing celebrated and emerging Nepali artists. Performers included Sameera Sunar, Sandesh Bishwokarma, Razan Thapaliya, Subarna Poudel, and Shiva Kandel, while the evening's grand performance was delivered by Trishna Gurung and the Collab Band. Their captivating performances left an indelible impression on attendees, reinforcing the evening’s focus on environmental advocacy.

Adding depth to the event, local delicacies from WWF-supported homestays were presented, offering attendees a rich taste of Nepal’s culinary heritage. Additionally, handicrafts by community beneficiaries reflected sustainable livelihoods and traditional craftsmanship. The event attracted over 5,000 participants, including young people, environmentalists, local government officials, and conservation organisations.

Beyond Bharatpur, Earth Hour 2025 saw communities across Nepal engaged in conservation efforts leading up to the main event. On February 2, 2025, a large-scale river cleaning campaign in Chitwan, organised for World Wetlands Day, underscored the vital role of rivers and wetlands in biodiversity conservation.

Pre-Earth Hour clean-ups followed. On March 17, 2025, Devghat Dham Treasure Hunt and Clean-Up saw 40 volunteers removing 179 kg of non-biodegradable waste. On March 20, 2025, Sahamati led a clean-up along the Gaindakot side of Narayani River, with 78 volunteers collecting 40 sacks of waste. The following day, Sahamati and Terai Arc Landscape team coordinated clean-ups at Amaltari and Lamichaur, gathering 750 kg of waste with the support of 150–200 volunteers.

In the far west, a two-day clean-up at Karnali River and Jamara Canal mobilised 258 volunteers to tackle water pollution. The effort also featured an art competition for schoolchildren and a meditation session, promoting mindfulness and conservation awareness. Meanwhile, in Kathmandu, local institutions such as Roadhouse Café and Hard Rock Café joined the global Earth Hour ‘switch-off’ initiative to raise awareness about sustainable living.

Earth Hour 2025 in Nepal not only united communities in celebration but also demonstrated a commitment to environmental conservation. Through music, culture, and collaborative action, the movement highlighted the collective power of individuals and organisations in addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

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