Article authored by:
Holly Elmore - LAI FL Suncoast President & LAI Global Water-Land Series Group Co-Chair
Holly's eclectic career path includes multiple facets ranging from the corporate arena (Arthur Andersen Auditor & Trammell Crow Controller) to the foodservice industry (owner of a corporate catering business & restaurants) to sustainability-industry leader (Zero Waste Zones & Earth Impact Founder). In addition, Holly is an avid nature & documentary photographer and respected journalist with prominent articles and photographs featured in national publications.
On November 15, 2024, Durga Poudel, Ph.D. was inducted into LAI by Charles Reith, Ph.D., a LAI FL Suncoast Chapter member, at an impressive event hosted at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. After Charles' introduction and his induction ceremony, Durga gave a superb presentation on A Journey to Ecological and Environmental Sustainability based on the Asta-Ja Framework he developed over the past decades.
 Charles & Durga - After his LAI induction ceremony, Charles presents Durga with his LAI At-Large-Member certificate and pin. |
 Durga Family - Durga with his lovely wife Shanta and their daughter Rachana after the LAI-induction ceremony and the Asta-Ja Presentation |
 Group - Family, students, and friends after Durga's presentation |
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Durga Poudel, Ph.D.
Born in Tanahu, Nepal, Durga's academic studies spanned the globe from Pakistan to Thailand to Taiwan to the USA where he received his Ph.D. degree in Soil Sciences from the University of Georgia. Subsequently, Durga served as a Visiting Research Scholar at University of California Davis from 1998 - 2000 followed by his tenure at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette.
According to his official bio, Durga is the Professor and Coordinator of the Environmental Science Program and Director of Ag. Auxiliary Units, University of Louisiana, Lafayette.
Durga's research focuses on water quality and nonpoint-source-pollution control, water-quality modeling, climate change adaptation, soil erosion, soil development and productivity, sustainable agriculture, organic farming, roadside-vegetation and highway enhancement, waste-water recycling, and farming systems. At the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Durga teaches several soil-science and water-quality courses.
Durga serves on the LAI Global Water-Land Series Group and is the speaker lead on the Wednesday, April 2 Agriculture, Water, Land Nexus: Unlocking the Intricacy global webinar
Asta-Ja Nepal 2040
In January 2024, Durga published the acclaimed book, Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity, as a compilation of his thirteen articles and papers on the Asta-Ja Framework.
According to Durga,
"The book, Asta-Ja for Prosperity, Pride, and National Integrity, is a collection of thirteen published research articles from 2008-2022 AD. It presents theoretically grounded pioneering framework, the Asta-Ja Framework, for sustainable conservation, development, and utilization of natural and human resources for fast-paced socio-economic transformation, sustainable economic development, and environmental quality in Nepal. It presents practical guidelines for food, water, energy, environmental and climate securities. This book also presents Nepal Vision 2040 which aims for developing Nepal to the level of developed nations by 2040 AD."
The RiA article, Asta-Ja: Nepal Vision 2040. celebrates Durga's LAI-member induction, gives an overview of his impressive presentation, and introduces Nepal Vision 2040.
For additional and in-depth information on development of the Asta-Ja Framework, view Durga's November 15 A Journey to Ecological and Environmental Sustainability recorded presentation; Durga's PPT presentation is available at this LINK.
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