Ramesh Kumar Thapa recently retired from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), under the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal. He served at DNPWC for over 25 years, rising from the position of ranger to Chief Conservation Officer at Bardia National Park.

Mr. Thapa is widely recognized for his contributions to Bardia National Park, where he spent the most of time of his career. During his tenure, he not only played a key role in safeguarding the park during the armed conflict (for example, during the Maoist insurgency when the Nepal Army, responsible for park security, was primarily focused on protecting highways) but also worked to improve relations between the park and local communities. His efforts in fostering positive relations with local residents remain a showcase of his approach to conservation.

The surrounding villages in Surkhet, such as Chinchu, Hariharpur, Lekhparajul, and Taranga, were home to communities facing poverty. With limited access to education and employment, some villagers resorted to illegal hunting for survival. Ramesh Thapa played a pivotal role in raising awareness about wildlife conservation within these communities. Thanks to his efforts, 241 villagers voluntarily handed over their illegal weapons to National Park staff—a remarkable achievement, often described as being "as difficult as chewing iron flakes." His dedication to conservation and close work with local communities remains one of his most significant accomplishments.