28,000km Into Climate Mission, Cyclist Eyes Return to Bahrain

 Two years after planting trees at Busaiteen Park during his visit to Bahrain, Nepali cyclist and environmental activist Shuva Prasad Sharma continues his journey across continents under The Bhawani Shubhayatra Global Cycling and Tree Plantation Campaign, driven by a single mission: to convince people that tackling climate change begins with simple individual action.  

 After covering more than 28,000 kilometres and planting around 70 trees across Asia and Africa over the past four and a half years, Sharma says Bahrain stands out for its commitment to afforestation and environmental sustainability. He hopes to return to the Kingdom to volunteer in tree-planting campaigns supporting its net-zero ambitions, saying Bahrain's environmental vision closely aligns with his own mission.  

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, about his ambitious goal of cycling through 150 countries to spread awareness about climate change, Sharma said,

"I have a target of visiting 150 countries, but I have completed only 27 so far.”

Bahrain was the 18th stop on Sharma's global journey in 2024. After leaving the Kingdom, he travelled to Oman before cycling across East Africa, visiting Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Malawi.

Challenges

Reflecting on his travels, Sharma said one of the biggest challenges he witnessed was the continued loss of forests and the lack of environmental awareness in many communities.

"In many places, people still depend on timber for energy, and large trees have disappeared," he said. "The bigger issue is that many people still do not understand the relationship between forests, nature and climate."

Despite the progress he has made, Sharma told TDT that funding remains one of the biggest obstacles to completing his mission, and that he is seeking collaborations with governments and climate action partners.

"Sometimes I cannot find a major sponsor, so it is difficult to manage the expenses," he said.

His next goal is to secure a visa for Canada before continuing his journey through West Africa. 

Beyond Borders

Speaking about the current heatwave, Sharma said the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible around the world.

"Even the Himalayas are losing snow, now many areas are bare, and even at the mountain base camps you can find mosquitoes and flies where they were never seen before," he said.

While he believes governments and international organisations have a crucial role to play in tackling climate change, Sharma said lasting change also depends on individual action. 

"Planting a tree is something everyone can do," he said. "People can water it, protect it and help it grow. In rural areas, natural compost is enough. When people care for a tree themselves, they feel proud because they know they have contributed."

For Sharma, the journey is about more than cycling across borders. It is about inspiring ordinary people to make small, practical changes that collectively can have a lasting impact on the planet. He hopes to return to Bahrain one day to volunteer in tree-planting campaigns, saying the Kingdom's commitment to afforestation and sustainability makes it a place he would like to support.