Kamal Thapa

• Grand challenge: My grand challenge is to empower rural communities to lead climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable natural resource management, and circular waste management. Across Nepal, climate change is intensifying food insecurity, degrading ecosystems, and reducing economic opportunities for marginalized communities that depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. I aspire to develop scalable, community-driven solutions that integrate climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem-based resource management, and cooperative business models to strengthen resilience and improve livelihoods. By combining scientific research, inclusive governance, market access, and local knowledge, I aim to establish a nationwide network of women-led cooperatives that enables farmers to adopt sustainable practices, increase household incomes, and conserve natural resources.

  At the same time, inadequate municipal solid waste management has resulted in the widespread dumping of waste in forests, rivers, and other natural ecosystems, contributing to pollution, biodiversity loss, and public health risks. I seek to develop sustainable, community-based waste management models that promote waste reduction, recycling, resource recovery, and the circular economy while protecting natural ecosystems and strengthening local environmental stewardship.

  Through the interdisciplinary education and practical experience gained at Cornell University, I hope to bridge science, policy, and practice to build resilient communities where people are empowered as environmental stewards and leaders of lasting social, economic, and environmental transformation.

Kamal Thapa is an environmental professional from Nepal with more than 15 years of experience in climate change adaptation, environmental governance, and community-based development. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Chay Ya Nepal, where he leads programs focused on climate resilience, WASH, health and education, livelihoods, and disaster recovery. Previously, Kamal worked with the Government of Nepal, UNDP Nepal, and ISET–Nepal, contributing to climate vulnerability assessments, water governance, and ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives. His work integrates interdisciplinary research, GIS and spatial analysis, policy engagement, and community participation to advance sustainable development. Kamal has published research articles in environmental science journals, presented at international conferences across the United States and Europe, and completed executive and professional development programs at Stanford Graduate School of Business, UC Berkeley, and UNITAR. At Cornell University, he is pursuing a Master of Professional Studies in Natural Resources and the Environment to advance evidence-based solutions for resilient communities, sustainable natural resource management, and climate adaptation.