The Venerable Ngawang Tenzing Zangpo Rinpoche, abbot of Tengboche Monastery in Khumbu, is still in Kathmandu after his participation in WWF's "Sacred Gifts for a Living Planet" programme last month. In a sunny room in his small dera in Boudha, the Nepali Rinpoche sits contemplative, meditating, listening to the news on the radio and telling fellow lamas what needs to be done to bring peace in the world.

The Rinpoche was recognised as Tulku or a reincarnate of the late Lama Gulu, the founder of the TengbocheM monastery, by Ngawang Tenzin Norbu a high lama in Rongbuk. He was then sent off to Tibet for many years of study and he came back in 1956 to be the abbot, or Rinpoche, of the Monastery.

What's remarkable about the monk is his broad vision. From the needs of the 50 lamas at his Gompa, to the state of nature, the village, the nation and the whole planet, the Rinpoche believes in "doing things right and not only talk". And his efforts have borne fruit. The preservation of forests in the Tengboche area is a growing success. "There's still a lot to be done. We're asking for government forests to be handed to us so the Monastery can take care of them," he says. "The park people are planting trees. That's okay. But they only plant in areas that are visible to passers-by. More than good work, sometimes I feel it's a hoax.
There's no planting deep in the forest or along the riverbanks," says the Venerable. "This year we have decided to plant new saplings at our own cost in barren areas."
The Rinpoche strongly believes in community-based action. "If there are basic facilities in the villages-electricity, water supply, school and roads-people will definitely come back and look for new ways to develop their villages." He is saddened by the way Kathmanduites are dealing with their environment, culture and religion. "They are throwing stones on their own head. Look at all the pollution and waste. In Kathmandu I found people listening to radio a lot. I also do. But how can you be informed about developments and crises in the world listening to only songs?"

The world could do with improvements, but Rinpoche has time for jokes. "I don't know English. That's my biggest advantage. If I did, I'd be busy explaining about the Monastery to visitors," laughs the 66 year-old monk. But he welcomes visitors to his Monastery.

The Rinpoche is proud of the work of the Tengboche Sacred Land Eco Centre. "We are not lamas to sit indoors and chant and talk only about philosophy. We are aware of the changes in the world," he says. In his speech at the WWF event he said: "In my Monastery, we have been making a great effort to promote conservation, reduce pollution and waste, and raise awareness of the relationship between spirituality and nature."