About Myself

Me, ( कृष्णमणि बराल ) Krishna Mani Baral, a correspondent/photojournalist affiliated with Annapurna Post Daily based on Pokhara. I have started my journalism journey as a freelance reporter in 1998.

I started full-time journalism as a correspondent in 2001-2002 Samadhan National Daily Pokhara. I worked with Deshantar weekly for one year as a correspondent too. I was a correspondent and photojournalist for The Himalayan Times and Annapurna post-2003. The Himalayan times I worked 2003-2014. Annapurna Post National Daily as a correspondent from 2003 to still today. I have been working for enaturenews.com as an Editor from 05-2021 to still today. I also worked for Nepali Times for a year in 2021-2022 and BBC News Nepali (नेपाली) from 2021 to still today.

I love nature and wildlife which motivated me to pursue conservation. I like to write news on wildlife and nature conservation issues but also I have worked in wetland conservation and vulture conservations sector for 2 decades. My commitment to conservation has one particular aspect I wish to highlight: the cause of vulture conservation, wetland conservation, and different species conservation in Nepal. In my view, this is an issue that needs a lot of attention.

My Journey in Vulture Conservation

In my childhood, I found a lot of vulture species near the farmland at Baidam. So many cotton (Bombax ceiba) trees were found at that time. Vultures used to eat dead animals (carcasses) on farmland. Now everything has changed because of urbanization. Nowadays we can’t find farmland and big cotton trees. Nepalese society has abhorred vultures for a long time owing to their religious beliefs. The cause I have undertaken highlights the need to protect vultures and their habitat, their natural surroundings, and their food. I have written more than three dozen articles about vulture conservation issues. This is a cause that will inevitably take a long time to take educate our society. I was alarmed by a recent report that suggested that a particular species of vulture in Nepal has had its population decline by as much as 99.99% I took a keen interest in this aspect of animal conservation. I took the matter of vulture conservation to my heart and traveled all over Nepal taking photos of vulture species that are on the verge of extinction since 2007. As a photojournalist and Reporter, my strongest area is my photographs. I have conducted photo exhibitions in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, my hometown Pokhara, and many parts of Nepal raising awareness of the need for vulture conservation.

My Journey in Wetland Conservation

As I am born near Phewa Lake, I have a real picture of changing Phewa in the worst condition which drags my pen not only on this lake but also in different wetlands of Nepal. I have written more than three dozen articles about wetlands issues. The pollution and the flooding from the water sources area with a huge change in urbanization was the main threat to Phewa Lake to reduce its water quality, size, and encroachment issues. I reflect on these issues in my photograph and I have created two conservation awareness campaigns by clicking on the reality of wetlands in Pokhara and Lekhnath as well as 12 schools.

This, I believe, has raised awareness among the students and the future generation of Nepalese society about the need for vulture, wetland, and their unique and unambiguous place in the ecosystem.

Vulture photo exhibition Pokhara 2009.

save vulture, save environment Vulture photo exhibition 2009 in kathmandu.

Wetland photo exhibition Pokhara.

Professional/SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT: –

Federation of Nepali Journalist (FNJ) Assembly Member (two-term)
Member: Federation of Nepali Journalists Kaski.
Life Member: Bird Conservation Nepal.
Life Member: Nepal Red Cross Society.
Former President: Federation of Nepal Photo Journalist Kaski, Pokhara.
Secretary: Federation of Nepali Photo Journalists Gandaki province.

ACTIVITIES: –

Attended different workshops on journalism
Attending Workshops at International Wetland Symposium 2012 Nepal
Attended different workshops, and seminars on news reporting.
Attended different workshops, and seminars on photojournalism.
Attended workshops and seminars on Animal rights, Mass communication, and leadership development.
Vulture Conservation photo exhibition and school awareness program
Wetland conservation awareness programs at different schools and photo exhibitions

Training:

Journalism Training
Photojournalism Training
Bird Conservation Training
Nature Conservation Training
Leadership and Motivation Training
Human right Training

Achievements: –

WWF Media In Conservation Award 2012 (WWF Nepal)
The Life of Food- Photography Award-2010 (World Food Program)
National Photojournalism Award 2011(Federation of Photojournalists)
Environment Journalism Award-2012(City Development Bank)
Conservation Award -2012(Annapurna Conservation Area Project-Sardikhola Community)
Vulture Conservation Award – 2014 (Bird Conservation Nepal)
Media In Conservation Award 2023 (Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists(NEFEJ)
Media In Conservation Award 2023 (REBAN, Pokhara)

Sahar Sports Photojournalism Award- 2015 (Sahara Club Pokhara)
Himdoot Photojournalism Award-2012(Federation of Nepali Journalist Kaski)
Local Animal Welfare Hero-2013 (Animal Welfare Network Nepal)
Nature Conservation Award-2017 (Friends of Nature)
Biodiversity Conservation Award 2023 (Zoological Society Prithvi Narayan Campus Pokhara )
Conservation Award 2023. (Annapurna Conservation Area Project)