WWF Helipcopter Crash

[Mr Mag00]

I hope you dont mind I have pasted the contents of an email I recevied and a link to their book of condolences if you so wish.


WWF - Helicopter Tragedy, Nepal 2006: Book of Condolences
Book of Condolences

Yesterday was a terrible day for those of us at WWF, for Nepal, and for conservation around the world.

We at WWF have lost seven of our colleagues, our friends, in a helicopter crash in Ghunsa, Nepal. These were people who had dedicated their lives to conserving the extraordinary natural resources of Nepal and the Earth. Their deaths are a huge blow.

It is a sad day for Nepal, too. The country has lost its Minister of State for Forests and Soil Conservation, the Secretary of that Ministry, the Director General of National Parks and Wild Life Conservation, the Director General of Forests, several of its most distinguished defenders of natural resources and overseas specialists who were champions for conservation in Nepal. Nature conservation in the country will suffer a severe setback.

These colleagues and partners were aboard the helicopter on Saturday because they were returning from a trip to Ghunsa, in the mountains of eastern Nepal. They had participated in a ceremony in which the government of Nepal handed over to local communities responsibility for managing the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, a place known for its beauty, biodiversity and rich cultural heritage.

The wreckage of the helicopter was found yesterday, after two days of difficult searching, and sadly it appears there were no survivors.

Our hearts go out to the families of all the passengers and crew on that flight. We mourn your loss.

To the families and friends of Chandra Gurung, Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Harka Gurung, Yeshi Lama, Jill Bowling Schlaepfer, Jennifer Headley and Matthew Preece - we share your grief, and offer our promise that they will not be forgotten and that their work will continue.

Since the news broke, WWF has received messages of condolence from around the world, from members, partners, media groups, and other conservation organizations, and from the public.

We thank you all.

James P. Leape's signature

James P. Leape
Director General
WWF International