Bibhuti Bhattarai

2025 Eco-Hero

3rd PLACE

Bibhuti Bhattarai
Age 16
Bangkok, Thailand (Project in Nepal)
Girls Leading Organic Way: Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Composting

Driven by a profound concern for her community's health and environment, 16-year-old Bibhuti Bhattarai initiated "Girls Leading Organic Way." Witnessing the widespread and often uninformed use of chemical fertilizers in home gardens in her community in Nepal deeply concerned her, especially its impact on soil health and public well-being. Her project focuses on empowering young girls and their mothers by educating them on how to transform kitchen waste into organic compost, fostering sustainable farming practices, and reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.

Bibhuti's journey began with extensive research and discussions with local organizations and schools. She developed a project concept note and, despite initial funding challenges, successfully secured seed money from Teach the Future, a global non-profit movement. She then collaborated with a public school and a local organization, [Ambe Murari Sewa Kendra (AMSK)](if URL available), to implement the first phase. During school breaks, she traveled to Nepal, coordinating the development and delivery of highly visual training workshops that taught middle and high school girls, along with their mothers, the practical skills of composting.

"Girls Leading Organic Way" directly addresses environmental justice by targeting the health and well-being of women and girls, who are often disproportionately vulnerable to exposure to pesticides and fertilizers. By empowering them with knowledge and skills in sustainable farming, Bibhuti promotes equitable access to information and resources, enabling them to make informed choices that reduce environmental harm and improve health outcomes. She is proud that she "taught many women and girls to stand up for themselves, to be confident in the sustainable farming practices they use."

Bibhuti's leadership extends to balancing her rigorous IB studies in Thailand with project implementation in Nepal. Her high school counselor, Dr. Peng Suvilaisunthorn, notes her "sincere interest and passion for environmental conservation" and describes her as a "strong leader who stands out... very dependable and sincere." Bibhuti acknowledges that securing funding and balancing her academic commitments have been challenging. Still, her project has taught her that "even small actions can make a meaningful difference" and highlighted the critical importance of collaboration and partnerships.

Beyond this project, Bibhuti co-leads her school's Greenhawks Sustainability club, where she continues to advocate for environmental awareness and organize educational trips, such as to the United Nations office in Bangkok (linking to UNESCAP, the UN regional HQ in Bangkok). She has also received an honorable mention in an essay competition and an award from Teach the Future. Looking ahead, Bibhuti aims to scale up "Girls Leading Organic Way" by establishing a "small organic field school" for youth. Her long-term ambition is to pursue a career in environmental science, becoming a global leader and activist in environmental and social safeguards, ensuring that communities everywhere can embrace healthier, more sustainable futures.