Legacy of Leadership

Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri currently serves as the Minister of Forests and Environment of Nepal and as the Member of Parliament representing Mugu District. Since his appointment as minister in July 2024, he has championed a balanced approach to environmental conservation and national development. Under his leadership, the ministry has facilitated over 100 development projects, granted tenure rights to local communities over hundreds of hectares of forest land, and implemented the regulated removal of trees strictly for necessary infrastructure projects, with strong environmental safeguards in place. He has introduced key strategic frameworks such as the National Forest Integrated Strategic Plan, strengthened biodiversity protection, and promoted climate resilience initiatives. Additionally, Shahi laid the foundation stone for the Rara Resort Project in Mugu, aiming to boost eco-tourism and sustainable economic growth in the region.

Alongside his ministerial duties, he serves as the Chairman of the Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), where he has expanded conservation efforts, including opening a new NTNC branch at Rara National Park. His leadership in the NTNC has furthered Nepal’s biodiversity conservation, community engagement, and sustainable resource management.

Before rising to national prominence, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri had a long and committed political career. He was actively involved with the Nepali Students' Union Karnali Kathmandu Liaison Committee in 1989, advocating for student rights and regional development. Over the years, he took on important roles within the Nepali Congress Party, serving as a member of the District Working Committee and participating as a delegate in the party’s 9th General Conference, which elected Girija Prasad Koirala as party president.

He was a candidate for Deputy Chairman of the District Development Committee (DDC) in Mugu during the local elections of 2054 BS (1997-1998 AD), showcasing his early leadership ambitions in his home district. Shahi later served as the President of the Nepali Congress Democratic Party in Mugu and has been the President of the Nepali Congress Party in Mugu District since 2011, actively strengthening party organization and local governance.

His experience also includes working closely with the government as Personal Secretary to the Minister of State for Education, Hasta Bahadur Malla, providing him valuable insight into public administration.

In the 2022 general elections, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Mugu District, marking a significant step in his political journey. Since then, he has prioritized infrastructure development, healthcare, education, disaster relief, and youth empowerment to uplift the Karnali region.

Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to public service, democratic values, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development. His leadership continues to drive progress for Nepal’s most remote and underserved communities, bridging the gap between conservation and growth.