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ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS

MONTH: November 2006

World Wildlife Fund chopper crash kills 24

 

KATMANDU, Nepal--A helicopter chartered by the World Wildlife Fund crashed on September 23 near Gunsa, 250 kilometers east of Katmandu, the Nepalese capital, killing all 24 people aboard.

The flight was transporting officials to a ceremony at which management of the Kanchenjuna Conservation Area Project was to be turned over to the community. The region attracts birders trekking to see Himalayan monal, emerald doves, and maroon orioles, among other rare high-elevation species.

"We knew many of those who passed away," e-mailed Animal Nepal founder Lucia DeVries. "The loss is enormous, as the best of Nepal's conservation people are among the deceased."

DeVries mentioned frequently meeting on Animal Nepal business with geographer Harka Gurung; former director of national parks and wildlife conservation Tirtha Man Maskey; his successor Narayan Poudel; and acting secretary of the ministry of forests and soil conservation Damodar Parajuli.

World Wildlife Fund victims included Nepal representative Chandra P. Gurung, United Kingdom conservation director Jill Bowling, U.K. coordinator Jennifer Headley, U.S. program officer Matthew Preece, and Nepalese officiers Mingma Norbu Sherpa and Yeshi Lama. Also killed were U.S. and Finn diplomats, two journalists, the two Russian pilots, and two Nepalese crew members.