Bardibas, Madesh Province – A transformative chapter in collaborative forestry development unfolded today at Gautam Hotel, Bardibas, as the Team Building Training—an ambitious initiative of the Forestry for Prosperity Project—ignited a wave of energy, purpose, and possibility across the province.
Organized under the joint leadership of the Forestry Directorate and the Project Implementation Unit of Madesh Province, the training brought together a diverse and dynamic group of municipal leaders, technical experts, and forestry professionals from 25 municipalities. The event aims not merely to build stronger teams, but to cultivate a shared purpose for sustainable prosperity through community forestry.
The inauguration was graced by the esteemed Director of the Provincial Forestry Directorate, Mr. Jagannath Prasad Jaisawal, who also chaired the opening session. In a heartfelt address and a galvanizing panel appearance, Mr. Jaisawal cast a compelling vision for the role of teamwork in reshaping the forestry sector. “This training isn’t just about collaboration,” he declared, “it’s about forging a common commitment to prosperity—rooted in forests, powered by unity.”
The training momentum was further fueled by Mr. Sunil Karna, Director of the Forest Training and Research Center, who emphasized capacity development as the bedrock of long-term transformation. He extended a warm invitation to municipalities to see his center as a hub for continuous learning, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.
Adding an inspiring call to action, Mr. Sujit Kumar Jha, Project Coordinator, rallied participants with powerful words: “Let’s move forward—together. With unity, dedication, and a shared purpose, we won’t just deliver this project—we’ll set a national benchmark for success.”
The afternoon session brought insight and strategic vision from Mr. Suresh Sharma, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, who challenged participants to think boldly: “This is our moment to unlock untapped potential—through collaboration, innovation, and a results-driven mindset. We can build more than forests; we can build futures.”
The day reached an extraordinary crescendo in the evening session with the powerful presence of Mr. Uddhav Bahadur Ghimire, Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Madesh Province. In an electrifying address, Mr. Ghimire emphasized the transformative power of collective effort. He illustrated how effective teamwork can revolutionize forestry governance and delivery in the province.“The energy in this hall is contagious,” he said. “What I witnessed today was not just a training—it was a movement. A hall full of strengths, determination, and shared vision. If this spirit continues, Madesh’s forestry sector will become a model for the nation.”
The facilitation of the training was led by Dr. R.C. Lamichhane, the renowned CEO of the Eastern Research Institute of Positive Science (ERIPS), whose deep expertise in Appreciative Inquiry and team dynamics turned the sessions into a profound experience. With creativity, empathy, and precision, Dr. Lamichhane guided participants through panel dialogues, collaborative exercises, and team games that unlocked their collective potential.
Among the standout participants were Mr. Lalan Yadav, Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Sunil Yadav, Senior Forest Technician, Mr. Shiva Shankar Jha, Forest Officer, and Ms. Nisha Shah, an emerging leader in environmental governance. Their active involvement symbolized the convergence of administrative leadership, technical expertise, and youthful vision.
“This training has unified our purpose,” said Mr. Lalan Yadav. “It’s breaking silos and helping us think as one team across municipalities.”
“We’re now seeing forestry not just as a duty,” added Mr. Sushil Yadav, “but as a driver of local prosperity.”
“Our municipalities are rich in potential,” noted Mr. Shiva Shankar Jha. “All we needed was this kind of spark—and it has arrived.”
“We’re learning not just from our facilitator, but from each other,” shared Ms. Nisha Shah. “That’s the magic of this experience.”
“Forest Officer and Training Coordinator, Mr. Arun Kumar Yadav, shared that the training far exceeded expectations, offering transformative insights for effective project implementation. A key highlight of the training was its success in aligning a shared vision between project staff and the Chief Administrative Officers of municipalities, fostering mutual understanding and resolving prior differences.”
As the training continues, it is already being hailed as a landmark moment—planting the seeds of collaboration, leadership, and innovation across Madesh’s forestry sector. The participants, empowered and aligned, are poised to carry the spirit of this experience into their municipalities, turning vision into action and action into lasting impact. With the resounding success of its first day, the Team Building Training has set the tone for what many are calling a green renaissance in Madesh—where forests are no longer seen as isolated resources, but as shared lifelines to prosperity, sustainability, and hope.
