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Nature reflects our nature
Not only is the TDP course special in its own right, my trip
was especially unique for two reasons: We had the opportu-
nity to host the International Association of Bryologists (IAB)
Conference, which was held in the CHBR at OEP on Navari-
no Island, and we were visited by the President of Chile, Ms.
Michelle Bachelet who pledged her support for the program,
and the future success of the Cape Horn Research Center
which is targeted to be built and opened in 2017. During this
wonderful opportunity, I also had the pleasure to meet the
Rear Admiral of the third zone of the Magallanic Antarctic re-
gion, Chilean Navy, Mr. Felipe Garcia-Huidobro. One of my
most memorable moments was having a toast and dinner
with the Chilean President and Rear Admiral of the Chilean
Photo 2: Rajan Rijal, in front of the Field Sta-
Navy.
tion (this Field Station is well equipped to
conduct stream ecology and ornithology
research).
Photo 3: Chilean President Ms. Bachelet delivering her
speech during the world IAB conference in the south-
ernmost town
After the world IAB conference, we had a great opportunity
to travel via ferry with the Admiral of the Chilean Navy, Mr.
Garcia-Huidobro to Wulaia Bay to see Darwin’s Museum, and
later climbed the highest peak, Cerro Bandera on the island.
With a human population of only a handful of people, the
CHBR leads work in science, eco-tourism, education and
aesthetic value in the biosphere reserve, and at the same time
is one of the world’s last pristine wilderness areas and home
to many species of mosses, lichens, aquatic invertebrates
and birds. Due to its difficult accessibility and extreme harsh
weather, this pristine place is a place where man has not ex-
ploited the natural resources and is still safe and free of pol-
lution.
It was an incredible three weeks in the southernmost town
(Puerto Williams) of the world. Truly amazing to see a small
town squeezed between two oceans and split by the tail of the
Andes. Navarino Island is wild and a rugged land, filled with
breathtaking landscapes and eye-catching scenery. It was ab-
solutely amazing to see this wonderful island with extreme
diverse landscapes and ecosystem in person. This memorable
trip provided me a fascinating perspective on convergence
and divergence of nature and entire ecosystem in the North
& South Americas.
Photo 4: Rajan Rijal with Admiral of the
Chilean Navy, Mr. Felipe Garcia-Huidobro,
during the world IAB conference in the
southernmost town.
Rajan Rijal, Ph.D.
B.Sc. & M.Sc. - Kathmandu University
Ph.D. - University of North Texas, USA
Nature and Social Concern Society
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