The inaugural Wangari Maathai Award recognises the efforts of Nepalese forestry activist, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, for his outstanding work in promoting community forest issues over several decades.

The awards were established by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), of which the World Agroforestry Centre is a member, and aim to recognize outstanding work in improving and sustaining forests.

Kenyan, Wangari Maathai, was a tireless campaigner for the environment and the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Wangari and her Greenbelt Movement collaborated with the World Agroforestry Centre on many activities. She passed away in 2011.

Speaking at the award ceremony during a meeting of the Committee on Forestry (COFO) in Rome, FAO Assistant Director-General for Forestry, Eduardo Rojas-Briales, said Narayan Kaji Shrestha’s work captures the spirit of Wangari Maathai.

Shrestha initiated Nepal’s first community forestry group and now more than a quarter of the country’s forests are protected by such groups. He has worked hard to create a more participatory approach to community decision-making, involving women and low-caste villagers.

Kurshida Begum of Bangladesh was also awarded a special honourable mention for her work in helping village women to form a community patrol group that helps prevent illegal logging and poaching from the Tenkaf Wildlife Sanctuary.

Read the full story: Activist from Nepal receives Wangari Maathai Award

View the webcast of the presentation

See the World Agroforestry Centre’s tribute to Wangari Maathai