"The Protected Tree", taken by Binita Karki in Balkot, Bhaktapur won the title of Asian Tree of The Year 2019. The tree that showcased the superiority of nature amid rapid urbanization competed with the photographs from Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Brunei and was declared the winner on March 25, 2019.
"The Protector Tree" was forwarded to Asian Tree of The Year 2019 after bagging the position of the first runner up in Tree of The Year Nepal 2019, organized by Creasion Nepal. Karki was awarded the position alongside Rajib Kharel, winner and Sanju Raut, second runner up on an Award Ceremony held at Nepal Tourism Board on March 22, 2019, in the presence of Goodwill Ambassador, Nisha Adhikari Malla.
"Given the rapid urbanization, this tree shows both the pain and strength of the nature in the present context," Karki said upon winning the competition "I hope the competition encourages people to preserve the biodiversity heritage in the years to come".
In 2018, Ashin Poudel had received the first prize for his photograph titled ‘The Lone Survivor’.