Sikha is a dedicated undergraduate forestry student actively involved in environmental sustainability and community initiatives. Currently, she is engaged in projects addressing climate change adaptation, forest restoration, and empowering youth. Her passion lies in driving tangible change through education, advocacy, and hands-on efforts. Her project aims to empower communities to combat the increasing impacts of climate change on forestry, particularly focusing on the invasion of alien plant species like Lantana camara. These invasive plants threaten biodiversity and forest productivity. As a forestry student, she plans to educate and mobilize community members, collaborating with local authorities, starting from her own community, for effective management strategies. By addressing this issue locally, she hopes to set a precedent for broader community-led initiatives in the future.

The proposed OMLAS project is planned to focus on the Baghmare Bishnupur Community Forest, located in Shantinagar Rural Municipality, Dang, Lumbini Province. As a member of the forest user group, she has observed the growing issue of invasive plant species and the lack of attention from local authorities. This location serves as the ideal setting to raise awareness and empower the community to address this pressing environmental concern collaboratively. The project will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals; SDG 13 and 15. SDG13: Climate Action: This project will focus on addressing the impacts of climate change, particularly in the forestry sector, by raising awareness about invasive plant species and their effects on forest biodiversity and productivity. SDG 15: Life on Earth: This project directly contributes to the conservation and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems, specifically community forests, by addressing the threat posed by invasive species.