Founders - Bardiya Nature Lodge

Our Story

Meet The Founders

The History

Brother and sister Ashok Nath Pyakuryal and Shova Pyakuryal spent most of their childhood vacations in Bardiya with their grandparents. Away from Kathmandu, they learnt how to climb trees, fish, farm, speak the Tharu language, and understand the culture.

They travelled for days from Kathmandu to India and then returned to Nepal, only to go to Bardiya. Although the journey was strenuous, the experience and time spent at Bardiya were irreplaceable.

They continued to extend this experience to their own children and families. Now that there is easy access to Bardiya, they, along with their families, wanted to share this with the world—the simplicities of nature.

Brother and sister Ashok Nath Pyakuryal and Shova Pyakuryal, along with their eldest brother Sagar, spent much of their childhood travelling to Bardiya with their grandparents. Far from the noise of city life, time in Bardiya unfolded slowly — evenings spent by the fire listening to stories, learning life’s earliest lessons, and experiencing days shaped by nature rather than schedules. In this uninterrupted way of living, they came to understand the value of simplicity, presence, and connection.

Away from Kathmandu, these journeys became deeply formative. Immersed in village life, they spent their days grazing livestock, working the land alongside local families, fishing in the rivers, climbing trees, and learning the Tharu language — gradually understanding the rhythms of the land and its people.

Reaching Bardiya was never easy. The journey often took days, travelling from Kathmandu through India and back into Nepal. The hardships were real, but Bardiya offered something rare — a sense of belonging, stillness, and connection that has remained among their most cherished memories.

As life moved forward, Ashok and Shova felt they wanted to share this experience beyond family and memory. With easier access to Bardiya today, this vision found its natural home in Bardiya Nature Lodge — a place shaped by their shared history and values, rooted in family, inspired by nature, and guided by deep respect for the land, its people, and the indigenous culture that has long sustained it.

Alongside them is Deepak Prasai, Shova’s husband, whose experience deeply strengthens the foundation of Bardiya Nature Lodge. With many years in the wildlife and hospitality industry—including his role as Operations Manager at Chitwan Jungle Lodge—Deepak brings a seasoned understanding of guest experiences, wildlife conservation, and sustainable tourism. A lifelong travel and nature enthusiast, he guides the project with both professional expertise and a personal love for the landscapes and cultures of Nepal.

Together, Ashok, Shova, and Deepak have shaped Bardiya Nature Lodge into a place that reflects their shared history and values: rooted in family, inspired by nature, and guided by respect for the land and the people who call it home.

Meet Our Managing Director

Prapti Pyakuryal leads Bardiya Nature Lodge with a blend of international hospitality experience and a heartfelt connection to Bardiya’s landscape. Her early years in Bardiya sparked a deep appreciation for nature, which later shaped her studies in International Development Practice at Monash University. There, she came to understand that some of the strongest models for sustainability come from indigenous communities. This learning guided her back to the Tharu community of Bardiya, whose traditional knowledge, harmony with the land, and regenerative practices continue to inspire her vision for the lodge.

Before founding BNL, Prapti worked at the Global Academy of Tourism & Hospitality Education as Director of International Relations and Careers, leading programs in management, education, and global industry collaboration. Her academic and professional experiences—combined with years spent living in Australia and Malaysia—strengthened her belief in thoughtful, culturally grounded tourism.

As Managing Director, Prapti brings forward her family’s longstanding relationship with Bardiya with intention. She strives to offer guests a meaningful experience rooted in sustainability, cultural respect, and the raw, authentic beauty of the region and its people.