Bhutan has always held a special place in Mingma’s heart. To remember Mingma’s love for the people and environment of Bhutan, the Greater Himalayas Foundation has established a Mingma Norbu Sherpa Conservation Award in Bhutan.
The award will recognize one individual annually who has demonstrated dedication and hard work in the field of conservation in Bhutan. This memorial award hopes to honor a grassroots conservationist working on the ground level who would otherwise go unnoticed, and to respect all those working to preserve the pristine environment of Bhutan.
Nominations and selection will be made by the Bhutan Committee of the Greater Himalayas Foundation. The committee will be composed of representatives from WWF Bhutan, and other conservation partners in Bhutan.
The Greater Himalayas Community Leadership Award
Leadership at the village and community level is integral in all societies, and is vital to rural community development. The purpose of the Greater Himalayas Community Leadership Award would be to honor an outstanding individual as well as to encourage members of the community to participate and take leadership roles in their communities. The Award will be given to an individual who has provided community service and demonstrated exceptional leadership in their respective village. Each year the award will be given to a different rural mountainous district in Nepal. Nominations and selection will be made by the respective preexisting youth or village development committee.
The first Greater Himalayas Community Leadership Award will awarded to an individual in the Solu Khumbu district, which is Mingma’s hometown. Nominations and selection will be made by the Youth Committee, which is a non governmental village volunteer group. The award will be presented with a certificate and cash award and will be announced during the Dumje festival, when the entire village gathers together.