The Karnali River in western Nepal is one of the longest undammed rivers on Earth. In a world where almost two-thirds of the planet’s largest rivers are no longer free-flowing, the Karnali stands as a symbol of natural resilience. But today, the threat of three planned hydropower dams looms over this pristine waterway. These proposed dams would dramatically change the Karnali and the lives of the people who live near it. Megh Ale, the Karnali Riverkeeper, is working to keep the Karnali running free, all while fostering sustainable tourism and supporting local livelihoods. Sister River documents his efforts, through his eyes and those of Hudson Riverkeeper Tracy Brown, who visited Nepal from New York in 2023 to support her fellow water protector. The event will start with a hybrid (in-person and online) group viewing of the film, followed by discussion with Ale and Brown.
Speaker bios:
Megh Ale, known locally as “The River Man,” is an explorer, internationally experienced river guide, conservationist, Ashokan Fellow, and social entrepreneur. He is the Karnali Riverkeeper and founder of Save the Karnali – leading the charge to protect the only wild and free-flowing river remaining in Nepal -- and is the founder of the Nepal River Conservation Trust. He works with political leaders and international funding agencies to drive awareness of what’s at stake. He leads scientific treks from Tibet to Holy Ganges to promote a fact-based dialogue that will help save his river. And he inspires the masses through an eco-tourism business that invites people to swim, fish, raft and play.
Tracy Brown is the President and Hudson Riverkeeper at Riverkeeper. A recognized leader in clean water advocacy, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work, prioritizing data-driven, community-oriented strategies to protect and restore the Hudson River from source to sea. During her tenure as President, she has helped expand Riverkeeper's iconic water quality monitoring program, grown its fleet of boats engaged in patrol and science work on the River, spearheaded the passage of key environmental legislation (including the 'Save the Hudson' bill which banned radioactive water from being discharged into the River from the old Indian Point site), and led the formation of the Westchester Coalition for Clean Water– a network of organizations committed to systemic change for clean water in the county.
Before taking on this leadership role at Riverkeeper, she was instrumental in developing water quality monitoring programs at both Riverkeeper and Save the Sound, and she was an architect of New York's Sewage Pollution Right to Know Law. A resident of Sleepy Hollow, Tracy is a founder of the Peabody Preserve Outdoor Classroom, a nature preserve for hands-on, outdoor education for the students of the Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow public schools. She is also a member of the Pleiades Network, a national community of women leaders in environmental and social causes.
Moderator: Paul Gallay; Project Director, Resilient Coastal Communities Project at the Center for Sustainable Urban Development, Columbia Climate School
Registration:
- To attend this event in-person, please register HERE.
- To attend this event online, please register HERE.