US Ambassador to Nepal Nancy J. Powell announced winners of an Earth Day Essay Writing Competition at the Institute of Forestry in Pokhara city in western Nepal to commemorate Earth Day on Wednesday.

According to a report of nepalnews.com, Earth Day, which originated in the United States in 1970, is now celebrated around the world every April 22.

This year the US Embassy sponsored an Earth Day essay competition to encourage students at the Institute of Forestry to improve their English language writing skills.

Students were asked to write on one of the following contemporary policy issues facing the government of Nepal: How can the principle of payment for environmental services be applied to Nepal? How should natural resource policy be reflected in Nepal's new constitution? How should social inclusion be reflected in natural resource management in Nepal?

Powell said " Pokhara must balance increasing tourism with protection of the natural resources that attract so many tourists in the first place. We are committed to supporting Nepal' s efforts to protect the environment and conserve its natural resources."