Global Environmental Poetry Competition Concluded; 300 Poets Participated: Bhatt Wins First Place

Hong Kong. On April 22, a Nepali environmental poetry competition organized by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Hong Kong Limited concluded successfully. Rajendra Bhatt from Dhading secured first place.

In his poem titled “The Retirement Letter of a Tree,” Bhatt portrays how humans have received everything from nature, yet today offer it not respect but exploitation and hypocrisy. The poem imagines a tree announcing its retirement from human “poetry” and “environmental drama.” Bhatt is also a writer and researcher focusing on environment, history, culture, and tourism.

The poem “The Suffocating Traveler of a Dirty Canvas,” which secured second place, highlights the suffering caused by pollution and human-centered development, warning of its devastating consequences for the future of humanity. Its author, Nirjala Lamsal, was born in Suryagadhi, Nuwakot, and is currently studying at Texas State University in the USA.

The third-place poem, “The Signature of Smoke Above the Sky,” artistically depicts the destructive impact of modern development, industrialization, and human-made pollution on nature, history, civilization, and the life system of the Earth. The poet, Anchu Subedi, is a resident of Jhapa, Nepal.

In addition, from over 300 submitted works, 20 outstanding entries were awarded consolation prizes. The recipients include: Murari Sigdel; Narottam Shrestha (Kathmandu); Raju Uvarkoti (Tanahu); Raju Uvarkoti (Darchula); Pratap Chaulagai (Kavrepalanchok); Jamuna Bhattarai (USA); Bharat Thapa (Dhankuta); Goma Shrestha (Lamjung); Sudarshan Pradhan (Australia); Dr. Aas Bahadur Tamang (Lamjung); Gayatri Kulung (East Africa); Hom Rana Magar (Hong Kong); Dr. Kamala Tamang (Mirik, India); Dr. Nabinbandhu Pahadi (Dhading); Dirghabahadur Chand (Kathmandu); Rajesh Sapkota (Norway); Roshan Apgai (Japan); Seema Dhungana (Germany); Dr. Deven Sapkota (Assam, India); DIB Sikaru (Japan); and Sushila Sharma Dhamala (Okhaldhunga).

At the first literary event organized by the NRNA Hong Kong National Coordination Council, Vice President of the NRNA International Coordination Council and Head of the Literature Department, Bishasdip Tigela, expressed heartfelt thanks for the successful completion of the “Environmental Poetry Competition.” He honored all participating creators for their dedication to Nepali literature and appreciated their literary contributions, while also inviting collaboration with the central body in future literary activities.

Similarly, the global coordinator of the competition and environmentalist Bijay Hitan expressed sincere gratitude to all participating poets worldwide.

At the result announcement and closing ceremony, chief guest and literary figure Rajkumar Rai stated that all participants were winners in their own right and announced the names of the first, second, and third place winners. He emphasized that such competitions are important and relevant, and highlighted the need to translate literary awareness into practical action.

The submitted poems were judged by Radhika Gautam Kalpit, Laxmi Rumba, and Bhavesh Bhumari.

While hosting the program, General Secretary of the organization, Bhavin Limbu, remarked that the event was not merely the conclusion of a competition, but a historic moment that brought together environmental awareness, literary creativity, and collective responsibility toward the Earth on a single platform.

At the end of the program, Jayanti Gurung, President of the NRNA Hong Kong National Coordination Council, stated: “Today, Earth Day is celebrated worldwide as a special occasion to raise awareness about environmental protection, instill a sense of responsibility, and remind us of our duty toward the Earth. It inspires us all to commit collectively to conserving natural resources, controlling pollution, and safeguarding our planet.”

The chief coordinator and conceptualizer of the competition, Vinay Shah, expressed deep appreciation to all contributors, including Janu Kangbang (Hong Kong) and Deepa A.Y. Rai (Hong Kong), as well as all participants who supported the initiative of expressing love for the Earth through words, emotions, and creativity. He also committed that NRNA Hong Kong will continue to organize such literary competitions annually.

The NRNA Hong Kong announced that the prize money and certificates will be distributed to the winners within 15 days. It was also stated that an e-book will be published featuring the top three winning poems along with the twenty consolation prize-winning works.