THE SHERPA- E-TALK IN MEMORY OF MR. MINGMA NURBU
SHERPA
We extend our heartfelt condolences to all the members of the bereaved
families of this horrific accident, in which our dearest family friend
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa has taken a new beginning to his life, while leaving
us with many wonderful, admirable and irreplaceable joyful moments that
we will treasure forever in our memory.
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa has exited this samsara gracefully
to peace. We are going to miss him, and miss him a lot.
Achu Mingma, thank you for your honest, unconditional,
unwavering and unforgettable friendship. You will live in our memories
forever. Your family will remain part of our family, forever.
The Sherpalama Family.
Tsewang, Ang phurba, Tenjing,
Saleena and Sangey.
November
12, 2004
Welcome to THE SHERPA-E-TALK. It is my honor to
E-TALK with Mingma Nurbu Sherpa (Paldorje) who is currently working in
Washington, DC as the Director of Conservation in WWF's Asia and Pacific
Program. Born in the Sherpa village of Khunde, in the Everest region of
Nepal, Mingma is one of the first students to have graduated from the
Hillary Khumjung School - the first of many schools developed for Sherpa
children with the aid of Sir Edmund Hillary.
He successfully completed his diploma in Parks and Recreation from Lincoln
College, University of Canterbury in New Zealand in 1980 and a Masters
degree in Natural Resources Management from the University of Manitoba
in 1985. Among his other achievements, Mingma was a Full bright Scholar
in 1987 at the School of Natural Resources, University of Michigan. He
is also a recipient of the Gorkha Dhaksin Bhahu medal from His Majesty
the King of Nepal for his conservation work in Nepal. He was awarded the
Order of the Golden Ark Award (an international prestigious medal) from
His Royal Highness Prince Bernard of the Netherlands for his conservation
achievement in the Himalayas.
Mingma is married to his lovely wife Phurba
Sona Sherpa, and has two children: Dawa and Tenzing Sherpa
Tsewang Sherpalama: Along with
being well educated, you are also someone who is very successful in your
career and the most modest person I have known. Many people let fame get
to their heads however you do not. How can you be so modest while your
so educated and successful?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: First of all, Tsewang la, I am not famous but I enjoy
my work as a conservationist and an ecologist. My job is to be a voice
for the voiceless as I go on saving wildlife and their habitats around
the world. I would be herding yaks today in the high mountain pastures
in my village instead of being in Washington, DC “the world's capitol"
if not for Sir Edmund Hillary. The schools and hospitals built by Hillary
is one of the reasons where I got today so there is lot to be modest about.
Tsewang
Sherpalama: Being born in one of the most remote parts of Nepal, you have
achieved what most people dream of. What do you think contributed most
to your success?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: First, It's the hard work and
perseverance. Some of the readers may not believe that I along with some
colleagues walked from Chumming to Banepa i.e. 10 days on foot at the
age of 10 to go to Katmandu for school as there were no high school in
the village and no road and neither regular air services those days. Secondly,
I was lucky to be born about the same time as first successful climb of
Mt. Everest presenting me the opportunity to go to school unlike my elder
brother and parents. I was lucky to win Colombo plan and Hillary Foundation
scholarships to go to New Zealand and Canada for further studies.
Tsewang Sherpalama: Among your
many achievements, which one particularly has been the most satisfying
to you and why?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: I have enjoyed being first
Sherpa Park warden in Sagarmatha National Park in my home town and had
the opportunity to take over the management from the New Zealand experts.
In the last 14 years, I have been instrumental in establishing many parks
and reserves, trained many young people in natural resource management
and helped set up institutions and developed community livelihood programs
in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and India. The most satisfying project for me
has been Annapurna Conservation Area Project known popularly as ACAP.
A project that I was involved as a principal investigator in 1985 and
a first director for over four years. This project became a world model
for integrating conservation with development as we work with local people
to empower them in making decisions on forest management, tourist entry
revenues were sustaining the operational costs of the ACAP, its rules
and regulations allow local traditional uses to continue unlike in national
parks a lesion I was able to apply from Sagarmatha national park. The
project won at least a dozen awards from within and outside of Nepal.
This model of community management of natural resources have now been
applied in other countries and in Nepal such as Kanchenjunga conservation
area, and buffer zones of national parks so local people now can get at
least 50% of the park incomes for community development instead of sending
it back to government treasury. This is something US Parks are now trying
to adopt as well. It was a great experience for me personally to be with
the Gurung communities in Kaski districts and learned for the first time
how similar the tradition and culture we share.
Tsewang Sherpalama: I have
heard that you had an opportunity to work closely with King Gyanendra.
What is your personal opinion about him?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: During my tenure as Director
of ACAP, His Majesty the King Gyanendra was the chairman of the King Mahendra
Trust, an NGO responsible for overseeing management of ACAP. HM played
a critical role in the establishment of ACAP as government was in favor
of making ACAP another national park. In my mind he was a genuinely interested
in conservation. I also had the opportunity to be part of an entourage
on a visit to Italy in 1986 and found both HM and Queen very pleasant.
I have no comments on the political role that he is playing since becoming
the King of Nepal and you probably know as much a I do from reading news
on Kantipur online.
Tsewang Sherpalama: You worked
as the country representative of WWF's Bhutan and Nepal Program for six
years. What obstacles and cooperation's did you experience while working
in a Buddhist kingdom such as BHUTAN, as opposed to a Hindu kingdom like
NEPAL?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: I had the opportunity to set up
two field offices for WWF in Bhutan and Nepal and directed both offices
for over 6 years. Working and living in Bhutan was a great experience
for me as I was comparing the two countries as I work with both governments.
Bhutan, is a small country little larger than Switzerland or half of Nepal
with over 750,000 people and majority are Buddhist. The most striking
differences were…the civil servants in Bhutan were well paid and
had good health and education benefits so their performance level was
high, with no corruption, they take pride in being a Bhutanese, and are
very dedicated to the well being of the country. The government decision
making is more straight forward and fast. I found the opposite in Nepal.
There are more educated and professionals in Nepal but their contribution
to the nation building is far less. Bhutan has many things going on their
side with very little debt, most of the Five Year plans being supported
by hydro power sales to India, high end tourism, and they measure their
gross domestic product in terms of “gross national happiness.”
Bhutan presents a real example for demonstrating harmony with nature with
their rich culture and environment, a Buddhist philosophy of interconnectedness.
Its refreshing to us to know there is still a Himalayan “Shangri-La”
with an enlighten leadership and a simple living and high thinking people
with ideals such as “gross national happiness.”
Tsewang Sherpalama: What do
you think contributed to the success of the Bahuns and Chetries in politics
and the administrative fields in Nepal? What do you believe must Sherpas
do to gain such positions?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: There is a tendency for
we (Sherpas) to be thinking in terms of every thing in short terms such
as becoming famous fast, or rich soon, get it quick mentality. In contrast
Bahuns and Chetris tend to persevere and stick to the task until they
get it. Despite hard working and honesty, we Sherpa people lack the will
and or desire to be involved in politics or public services. Many of us
even discourage discussion and give up soon on pertinent issues that impacts
the community. I think there is a lot to learn from each other and Sherpa
people whenever we can should take part in other avenues of work such
as civil servant, military, academics, professional jobs and technical
areas. When there is will there is a way so every one is capable of being
successful. I think its wrong to think other groups like Bahun and Chhetri
are better in politics or in administration. Every one is capable of becoming
successful if one wishes to becoming one.
Tsewang Sherpalama: What advice
do you have for the younger generations of Sherpas in order to achieve
a brighter future?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: Be proud of who you are
..but you don’t have to be mountain guide because you are labeled
by Westerners as a “Sherpa”. You can be any one and can do
anything if you work hard! If you do well and perform well, you will be
a Professional and Successful person whether you are in a small or large
business, manufacturing, house wife, mechanics, health services, politics,
or academician. There is vast opportunity for young people specially in
places like North America and Europe to get a good education and be successful
unlike many in Nepal and other developing countries. The land of opportunity
doesn't wait for you, you have to earn for your self to enjoy. My advice
to young Sherpas is value your own culture, be proud that you are a Sherpa
from Nepal, a famous ethnic group well known world wide thanks to Mt.
Everest, Tenzing and Hillary at the same time grab the opportunity that
presents to you.
Tsewang Sherpalama: There
is a saying “behind every successful man there is a woman.”
What role did Mrs. Mingma Nurbu "Ai Phurba Sona" play in your
success?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: Thank you for putting this
question as we often forget the hard work and support to make things a
reality. In my case, Phurba helped raise our young family when I completed
my higher studies in Canada. This is one of the many examples I can cite.
As a result both my children are now in colleges. This is also a good
example of our Sherpa community that makes us more successful than many
other ethnic groups due to dual and equal role played by spouses. I must
say I am lucky with a great family that I have.
Tsewang Sherpalama; How do
you like the WWW.SHERPAKYIDUG.ORG website and what would you like to see
added to this website for the benefit of global Sherpa community?
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: My congratulation goes to
the web designers and team who have worked behind the scene to make the
website a reality. This is itself a great achievement and what a great
way to communicate around the world with Sherpa people. I am sure it will
help many people understand more about the Sherpa culture and Sherpa people.
The more interactive you can make the web site, the more hits can be generated
from younger audience.
Mingma Nurbu Sherpa: Its a pleasure to talk to you Tsewang, as I am
very impressed with your skills in poetry, literature, social work and
now THE SHERPA-E-TALK?
I would like to thank Mr. Mingma Nurbu Sherpa for participating
in this SHERPA-E-TALK. STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT SHERPA-E-TALK with one of
the hardest working Sherpa parent who believes that we must put up with
the rain if we want to see the rainbows.
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