KATHMANDU: Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, has been actively engaged in various events during his official visit to Norway.

Leading a high-level delegation, Minister Shahi participated in a series of meetings and discussions during the four-day visit focused on environmental conservation, wildlife management, and academic collaboration.

Dr. Naresh Subedi, Member-Secretary of the National Nature Conservation Trust who is accompanying the delegation, said the team visited the Wild Reindeer Center and the Arctic Fox Breeding Center in Oppdal at the invitation of Professor Morten Odden of the University of Inland Norway.

Experts briefed the delegation on the success of Norway’s “Arctic Fox Reintroduction Program” and the ecological model for reindeer management.

Minister Shahi, who also chairs the Trust, reviewed the achievements of the five-year NORPART project, which links Kathmandu University and the National Nature Conservation Trust with Norwegian institutions to facilitate academic and research opportunities.

Currently, three Nepali students are pursuing PhD studies under the project.

During the visit, Minister Shahi also held discussions with senior officials from Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

Talks focused on future cooperation, capacity building, and increasing financial support for conservation projects in Nepal.

The delegation also held discussions with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) on long-term conservation initiatives.

The visit is expected to strengthen Nepal-Norway relations in the fields of conservation and research.

Minister Shahi is scheduled to return home today, Thursday.