Colin Smith was a man who loved butterflies. He was also a man who loved Nepal. Born in Wales in 1936, he developed a passion for lepidoptery, the study of butterflies and moths, at an early age. He traveled the world in search of these winged wonders, collecting and documenting thousands of specimens. But it was in Nepal, the Himalayan nation that he first visited in 1967, that he found his true home.
Smith settled in Pokhara, a city in the western region of Nepal, where he established a nature museum at Prithvi Narayan Campus, a constituent campus of Tribhuvan University. The museum, which opened in 1974, houses over 50,000 specimens of butterflies, moths, beetles, and other insects, as well as plants, fossils, and minerals. It is the largest and most comprehensive collection of its kind in Nepal, and a valuable resource for students, researchers, and nature lovers.
Smith dedicated his life to the study and conservation of Nepal’s biodiversity, especially its butterflies. He published several books and papers on the subject, including the authoritative “Butterflies of Nepal” in 1989. He also collaborated with Nepali and international scientists and organizations to promote awareness and protection of the country’s natural heritage. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the first and largest protected area in Nepal, which covers parts of the districts of Kaski, Manang, Mustang, Lamjung, and Myagdi.
Smith was not only a scientist, but also a cultural enthusiast. He learned to speak fluent Nepali, as well as several local languages and dialects. He immersed himself in the customs and traditions of the diverse ethnic groups of Nepal, and respected their beliefs and values. He was especially fond of the Gurung people, who inhabit the hills and mountains of the western region. He adopted their dress and lifestyle, and even participated in their rituals and festivals. He was given the honorary name of Kaski, after the district where he lived, and was regarded as one of their own by the Gurung community.
Smith was also a generous and compassionate human being. He supported many social and educational causes in Nepal, especially those related to the welfare of children and women. He sponsored the education of hundreds of underprivileged students, and helped establish schools and libraries in remote areas. He also donated his land and property to various charitable organizations, and contributed to the development of infrastructure and facilities in Pokhara and other places.
Smith was a rare and remarkable person, who touched the lives of many people in Nepal and beyond. He was a Welsh by birth, but a Nepali by deed. He was a resident of Pokhara, but a citizen of the world. He was a butterfly man, but also a man of many talents and virtues. He died on November 3, 2023, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of love and service. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him
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