A few weeks ago, Kittiya Pawlowski’s photos of snow leopard (which later turned out to be forged) made the headlines and many in Nepal were started debating how photos of the animal taken by Nepali photographers do not get the same media attention. While all this was going on Tashi R Ghale, a nature and wildlife photographer, was quietly working on organising a photo exhibition to highlight the climate change’s impact on Nepal’s high Himalayas and the animals, including snow leopard, that call it home.

On November 26, Ghale opened his aptly tiled photo exhibition ‘Melting Paradise’ at Windhorse Gallery. The photos in the exhibitions were all taken by Ghale between 2006 to 2022. Mountain climbers Mingma Gyabu Sherpa and Mingma Sherpa also joined the opening of the expedition.

In the last two decades, Ghale, a native of Manang, has taken photos of his home region’s cultural and religious life, Himalayas, and widlife. His works have been put featured on calendars, post cards, books, travel magazines, trekking maps, and brochures.

In 2018, Ghale ws also honoured with Disney Conservation Hero Award from Disney Conservation Fund for his contribution to snow leopard research and conservation through local conservation initiatives.

The photographer says that he had his first snow leopard sighting on March 19, 2006. “Watching the animal for three minutes from a distance of around 80-100m was one of the unforgettable moments of my life,” says Ghale.

What: Tashi R Ghale’s Melting Paradise

Where: Windhorse Gallery, Gyanmandala, Jhamsikhel

When: November 26 to December 25, 11am to 6pm

Contact: 9823494957