The Nepal Weekly 
December 31, 2024
Srichchha Pradhan, crowned Miss Nepal 2023, is preparing to represent Nepal at the 72nd Miss World pageant with an innovative and culturally inspired project, “Pancha Pranali,” under the Beauty with a Purpose initiative. An Environmental Science graduate with a long-standing passion for wildlife conservation, Srichchha has seamlessly blended her academic insights, personal experiences, and Nepal’s rich heritage to create a meaningful project aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
From an early age, Srichchha was captivated by the idea of preserving wildlife and nature. However, during her final-year project in Environmental Science, she experienced a profound realization while studying the concept of the Bodhisattva. She discovered that Nepal’s ancient cultural and spiritual practices already offered vital lessons in conservation. This epiphany became the foundation of her belief that these practices should be rediscovered and applied in modern environmental efforts. Motivated by this, she envisioned Pancha Pranali, a method to reconnect people with nature using traditional Nepali wisdom and practices.
Pancha Pranali, meaning “The Five Systems,” is centered on the five essential elements of life—Earth, water, fire, air, and space. The project underscores the interconnectedness of these elements and their crucial role in sustaining life on the Earth. Srichha’s initiative seeks to revive humanity’s connection with these elements, presenting them not just as natural components but as integral aspects of cultural identity and ecological well-being.
These elements are deeply woven into Nepal’s traditions, festivals, and way of life, explains Shrichha. From prayer flags fluttering in the wind to the symbolism in stupas, mandaps, and even food like yomaris, these cultural markers honor the five elements. However, she laments that modernity has distanced humanity from this symbiotic relationship, contributing to the current environmental crisis. She points out the terrible consequences of neglect: drying soils, burning forests, dying rivers, and diminishing biodiversity.
The Pancha Pranali initiative was officially inaugurated on December 21, 2024, with a week-long celebration dedicated to the five elements. Each day explored one element, intertwining cultural art forms and interactive workshops to foster community engagement and raise awareness. The initiative celebrates the essence of air, fire, space, water, and earth, presenting them as both a spiritual and practical framework for ecological conservation.
Srichha describes the project as a journey into Nepal’s cultural roots, brought to life through artistic exhibitions and participatory events. Intricate paintings by renowned Nepali artists formed the centerpiece of the initiative, symbolizing the harmony of the five elements. Srichha emphasized the need for a global awakening to these ancient teachings, asserting that forgetting humanity’s relationship with nature lies at the core of the current crisis.
Reflecting on the significance of the project, Srichha states, “Pancha Pranali is not just a cultural exhibit; it is a reminder of our identity, one that is integral to life but also at risk of vanishing. Through this project, we hope to reconnect people with nature, inspire action, and address the root causes of the environmental crisis. These lessons are not just for Nepal but for the entire world.”
As Srichchha prepares to present Pancha Pranali on the global stage, she carries a message that is both deeply personal and universally relevant. Her journey from a student of Environmental Science to Miss Nepal and now an advocate for climate conservation encapsulates her commitment to blending heritage with modern solutions. By showcasing Pancha Pranali at Miss World 2025, she aims to inspire a global audience to embrace sustainable practices rooted in cultural wisdom, forging a path toward a harmonious relationship with nature. (By Lani Tamang)
